Design support system, design support method, and program

Abstract

To provide a design support system, a design support method, and a program for optimizing and facilitating the design of a piping system using a siphon phenomenon.SOLUTION: The design support system includes an arithmetic circuit connected to a display device and an input device. The arithmetic circuit causes the display device to display an input screen for inputting input information including first information used for specifying a required flow rate that is a flow rate required to be achieved by the piping system, second information used for specifying a first drainage capacity of the eaves gutter of the piping system, and third information used for specifying a second drainage capacity of the downspout when a siphon phenomenon is used in the piping system, An input of input information is received by an input device, and an output screen for presenting output information including the required number of down pipes in the piping system is displayed by a display device on the basis of the required flow rate obtained from the input information and the lower one of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity.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. The structure has a drain outlet provided in a reservoir that stores rainwater and a drain pipe for discharging the rainwater from the drain outlet, and the height of the reservoir is higher than the total head of water generated by the reverse gradient of the drain pipe, including the water seal trap. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-139659 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The drainage capacity of a piping system is preferably set within an appropriate range depending on the size of the building in which the piping system is installed, the surrounding environment of the building, etc. Generally, the larger the building, the greater the drainage capacity required. Also, if the planned construction site of a building is an area with relatively high rainfall, greater drainage capacity is required.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses several methods for calculating the flow rate of wastewater. However, calculating the flow rate of wastewater requires specialized knowledge, and it is often difficult for users 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 piping systems that utilize the siphon phenomenon. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A design support system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a design support system for a piping system having eaves gutters and down gutters and draining water using the siphon effect, and is equipped with an arithmetic circuit connected to a display device and an input device. The arithmetic circuit displays, via the display device, an input screen for inputting input information including first information used to identify the required flow rate, which is the flow rate that the piping system is required to achieve, second information used to identify the first drainage capacity of the eaves gutters of the piping system, and third information used to identify the second drainage capacity of the down gutters when the siphon effect is used in the piping system. The input device accepts the input of the input information, and the display device displays an output screen presenting output information including the required number of down gutters in the piping system based on the required flow rate obtained from the input information and the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity.

[0008] A design support method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a design support method for a piping system having eaves gutters and down gutters and draining water using the siphon effect, and is executed by an arithmetic circuit connected to a display device and an input device, wherein the display device displays an input screen for input of input information including first information used to identify the required flow rate, which is the flow rate that the piping system is required to achieve, second information used to identify the first drainage capacity of the eaves gutters of the piping system, and third information used to identify the second drainage capacity of the down gutters when the siphon effect is used in the piping system, the input device accepts the input of the input information, and the display device displays an output screen presenting output information including the required number of down gutters in the piping system based on the required flow rate obtained from the input information and the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity.

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

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

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a design support system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram of an information terminal of a design support system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 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 [Figure 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] Illustrative diagram of the calculation model for the first piping type of 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. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an input screen displayed in the design support system according to an embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of an output screen displayed by the design support system according to an embodiment; [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of an output screen displayed by the design support system according to an embodiment; [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system of Modification 1. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system of Modification 2; [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system of Modification 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] [1. Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or redundant description of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the inventor(s) provide the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended 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 drawing described in the following embodiments is a schematic drawing, and the ratios of the size and thickness of each component in each drawing do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of each component are not limited to the ratios 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 each other by the symbols attached 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 to improve readability.

[0016] [1.1 Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a design support system 1 according to one 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 using a siphon effect. The piping system has an eaves gutter and one or more downspouts. 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, office, factory, building, school, welfare facility, or hospital, and a residential facility such as a detached house, an apartment building, or an individual unit of a detached house or an apartment building. Non-residential facilities also include theaters, movie theaters, public halls, amusement parks, complexes, department stores, hotels, inns, kindergartens, libraries, museums, art galleries, underground shopping malls, stations, airports, etc.

[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 multiple networks conforming to different communication protocols. The communication protocol may be selected from various well-known wired and wireless communication standards. Examples of wired communication standards include Ethernet (registered trademark). Examples of wireless communication standards include IEEE802.11, 4G, or 5G. The communication network 4 may include data communication devices such as repeater hubs, switching hubs, bridges, gateways, and routers.

[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] 2 is a block diagram of the information terminal 2. The information terminal 2 is used to input input information D1 and to present 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 by, for example, a personal computer (desktop computer, laptop computer), 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 human-machine interfaces include a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse or a trackball), a touchpad, and a position input device for 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 for 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 human-machine interfaces include a display, a speaker, a touch panel display, and the like. In this embodiment, the one or more human-machine interfaces of the output device 22 include a touch panel display 22a. 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 the 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, a hard disk drive, an optical drive, or a solid-state drive (SSD). The storage may also be an internal type, an external type, or 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; they 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 by, for example, 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 telecommunications 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, and 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 telecommunications 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 all the time, but only need to be stored in the storage device 34 when 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 includes first information, second information, third information, and fourth information.

[0037] The first information is used to identify a flow demand for the piping system. The flow demand for the piping system is a flow rate that the piping system is required to achieve. The flow demand may be a maximum value for the flow of stormwater from the building into the piping system.

[0038] 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 (projected roof 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.

[0039] The roof area can be determined from the building structure. There are various types of roofs, such as gable roofs, hip roofs, gambrel roofs, single-shed roofs, square roofs, semi-gable roofs, sloping roofs, ridge roofs, sawtooth roofs, and butterfly roofs. Based on the roof type and the building dimensions, the roof area corresponding to the piping system can be determined.

[0040] 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 section between the ridge 211 and the first eaves edge 212-1 is a first roof section 213-1, and the section between the ridge 211 and the second eaves edge 212-2 is a second roof section 213-2.

[0041] Consider the piping system located at the first eaves edge 212-1. The piping system located at the first eaves edge 212-1 receives rainwater from the first roof section 213-1. The roof area corresponding to the piping system located 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 from 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.

[0042] The rainfall intensity can be identified from the location of the building. For example, the rainfall intensity of the region to which the building belongs can be obtained from regional rainfall intensity information including rainfall intensities for two or more regions. The two or more regions are not particularly limited, but may be prefectures, cities, towns, and wards within prefectures, etc. in Japan. The rainfall intensity may be determined based on data provided by, for example, the national government, 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, etc.

[0043] The second information is used to identify the first drainage capacity. The first drainage capacity is the drainage capacity of the eaves gutter of the piping system. The second information includes the type of eaves gutter and the water gradient of the eaves gutter. The first drainage capacity (drainage capacity of the eaves gutter) can be determined based on the type of eaves gutter and the water gradient of the eaves gutter. In this embodiment, the first drainage capacity is expressed as the drainage volume of the eaves gutter. In determining the drainage volume of the eaves gutter, Kutter's new formula expressed by the following equation (1) can be used. In the following equation (1), Q g is the flow rate (discharge volume) of the eaves gutter ([l / s]), K is the safety factor, and A is the effective drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the eaves gutter ([m 2 ]), R g is the diameter depth ([m]), I is the water gradient of the eaves gutter, and m is the roughness constant. g A / L g It is given by L g is the perimeter ([m]).

[0044]

number

[0045] In the above formula (1), the effective cross-sectional area A and wetted perimeter L of the eaves gutter g can be determined from the type of eaves gutter. The type of eaves gutter may be, for example, the product name of the eaves gutter provided to the user 5. The safety factor K may be predetermined, for example, 1.5. The roughness constant m may be predetermined, for example, 0.21. Therefore, the first drainage capacity can be determined from the type of eaves gutter and the water gradient of the eaves gutter included in the second information.

[0046] The third information is used to identify a second drainage capacity. The second drainage capacity is the drainage capacity of the downspout when the siphon effect is utilized in the piping system. The third information includes the piping path of the piping system, the height of the piping system, and the pipe diameter of the downspout. The second drainage capacity can be determined based on the piping path of the piping system, the height of the piping system, and the pipe diameter of the downspout.

[0047] The piping path of the piping system specifies the shape of the flow path of the piping system. The piping path of the piping system may be determined based on the piping type of the piping system and the type of piping member of the piping system.

[0048] There are various piping types for piping systems. The piping type specifies the overall shape of the flow path in the piping system. For example, the overall shape of the flow path can be a straight shape, a bent shape, a branched shape, etc. The piping type does not necessarily include the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path, the length of the flow path, etc. The piping type can correspond to a classification of the piping system. In this embodiment, a first piping type and a second piping type are used as the piping types. The first piping type is a piping type for a gutter system in which the central axis of the rainwater outlet from the building and the central axis of the downspout coincide. The second piping type is a piping type 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.

[0049] 5 is a schematic diagram of a rain gutter system 100A corresponding to the first piping type. The rain gutter system 100A receives rainwater from the roof 210 of a 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 an underground pipe 320 and into a rainwater pipe.

[0050] The gutter system 100A includes an eaves gutter 120, a downspout 130, and a drain 140.

[0051] The eaves gutter 120 catches 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 shaped like a long bucket. The eaves gutter 120 has a bottom wall 120a. The bottom wall 120a has a drop opening 120b.

[0052] The drain 140 is disposed at the outlet 120b of the eaves gutter 120. The drain 140 reduces the generation of vortices and the entrainment of air at the outlet 120b. The drain 140 may contribute to the generation of siphoning. The drain 140 may have a known configuration.

[0053] Downspout 130 is installed to drain rainwater from drop outlet 120b. Downspout 130 is fixed to wall 220 of building 200 by support fittings 131a, 131b, and 131c. Downspout 130 forms a flow path for vertically flowing rainwater from drop outlet 120b. In gutter system 100A, no branch pipes from an eaves gutter other than eaves gutter 120 are connected to downspout 130. In other words, the system is configured so that rainwater from a drop outlet other than drop outlet 120b does not flow into downspout 130.

[0054] The downspout 130 has an upstream end 130a and a downstream end 130b. The upstream end 130a is the end of the downspout 130 that connects to the drop outlet 120b (the upper end in FIG. 5). The downspout 130 is directly connected to the drop outlet 120b. That is, 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 of the downspout 130 that is inserted into the manhole 310 (the lower end in FIG. 5). 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.

[0055] 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 flow path of the piping system is linear. This first piping type is also commonly referred to as a straight pipe type.

[0056] 6 is a schematic diagram of a rain gutter system 100B corresponding to the second piping type of the piping system. The rain gutter system 100B receives rainwater from the roof 210 of a 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 an underground pipe 320 and into a rainwater pipe.

[0057] Building 200B has longer eaves than building 200A. If downspout 130 were directly connected to drop outlet 120b in building 200B, the distance between downspout 130 and wall surface 220 of building 200B would become too large, and the construction standards for downspout 130 would no longer be met. Gutter system 100B has a structure suitable for buildings with long eaves.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] Unlike the gutter system 100A, the downspout 130 in the gutter system 100B 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.

[0061] 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 the downspout 120b and the first elbow 161.

[0062] In the gutter system 100B, the downspout 130 is connected to the drop outlet 120b via the inlet 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 in the piping system is not straight but is bent, particularly crank-shaped or S-shaped. The second piping type is also commonly called the elbow type.

[0063] Various piping components can be used in the piping system. The piping components can be selected from piping components that cause pressure loss in the flow path of the piping system. Examples of piping components include joints such as elbows, increasers, sockets, and tees. There are also various types of elbows. For example, elbows include a 90° elbow (so-called DL) defined in JIS K 6739, a 90° large bend elbow (so-called LL) defined in JIS K 6739, and a 45° elbow (so-called 45L). The gutter system 100B, which is a second piping type, includes a first elbow 161 and a second elbow 162. A case in which both the first elbow 161 and the second elbow 162 are LL results in a different piping route than a case in which the first elbow 161 is LL and the second elbow 162 is DL.

[0064] As an example, there are three types of piping routes in a piping system: "elbow swing DL," "elbow swing LL," "elbow swing 45 degrees," and "straight pipe." "Elbow swing DL" is a piping route in which the piping style is the second piping style, and the first elbow 161 of the piping components is LL and the second elbow 162 is DL. "Elbow swing LL" is a piping route in which the piping style is the second piping style, and the first elbow 161 and the second elbow 162 of the piping components are both LL. "Elbow swing 45 degrees" is a piping route in which the piping style is the second piping style, and the first elbow 161 and the second elbow 162 of the piping components are both 45L. "Straight pipe" is a piping route in which the piping style is the first piping style, and does not include a piping component.

[0065] The height of a piping system is the height at which siphoning is effective, meaning the height at which the piping is not broken, there are no sections completely open to the outside air, and siphoning is maintained. The height of a piping system is expressed as the vertical distance between the upstream and downstream opening points of the piping system. The upstream opening point of a piping system is the section upstream of the piping system that is open to outside air pressure. The downstream opening point of a piping system is the section downstream of the piping system that is open to outside air pressure. There is no section completely open to outside air between the upstream and downstream opening points of the piping system. In other words, the downstream opening point is the point that is open to atmospheric pressure and where siphoning stops. Therefore, the upstream opening point and the downstream opening point can be said to be the upstream and downstream ends of the range in which siphoning is maintained in the piping system.

[0066] The height of the piping system will now be further explained.

[0067] 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 defined as 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. Note that the upstream opening point may be the upper or lower end of the drop opening 120b rather than the lower end of the drain 140. Generally, 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 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 gutter system 100A, if building 200A has eaves and downspout 130 is temporarily opened to atmospheric pressure at the eaves, the downstream opening point is not the opening at downstream end 130b of downspout 130, but the part of the eaves that is open to atmospheric pressure. In other words, the vertical length from the bottom end of drain 140 to the part of downspout 130 that is open to atmospheric pressure at the eaves is the height at which the siphon effect is effective, i.e., the height of the piping system.

[0068] 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 piping systems. The nominal diameter can be used as the size of the pipe material. For example, the nominal diameter may be the nominal diameter in the standard for rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe (general) in JIS K 6741 "Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe."

[0069] Table 1 shows an example of the nominal diameter of VP rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe in the standard for rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe (general) in JIS K 6741 "Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe." In Table 1, the units for the outer diameter (standard dimension), thickness (minimum dimension), and approximate inner diameter are in mm.

[0070] [Table 1]

[0071] Table 2 shows an example of the nominal diameter of VU rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe in the standard for rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe (general) of JIS K 6741 "Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe." In Table 2, the units of outer diameter (standard dimension), thickness (minimum dimension), and approximate inner diameter are in mm.

[0072] [Table 2]

[0073] As described above, the second drainage capacity can be determined based on the piping path of the piping system, the height of the piping system, and the pipe diameter of the downspout. The second drainage capacity is the drainage capacity of the downspout when the siphon effect is utilized in the piping system. The drainage capacity of the downspout when the siphon effect is utilized does not refer to the drainage capacity of the downspout during so-called normal drainage, but rather to the drainage capacity of the downspout when the siphon effect occurs and is maintained in the piping system. The drainage capacity of the downspout when the siphon effect is utilized is affected by the siphon effect. Hereinafter, for the sake of clarity, unless otherwise specified, "drainage capacity" refers to the drainage capacity when the siphon effect is utilized.

[0074] The second drainage capacity is expressed as the flow rate at the downstream opening point of the piping system when there is one downspout. When designing a piping system, a guaranteed flow rate is often used based on the actual flow rate. Therefore, in this embodiment, the drainage capacity of the downspout includes the guaranteed flow rate at the downstream opening point of the piping system.

[0075] Next, a method for determining the second drainage capacity (drainage capacity of the downspout) will be described.

[0076] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of a calculation model of the first piping type of the piping system of Figure 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 the downspout 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 the 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 (2) holds true according to Bernoulli's theorem.

[0077]

number

[0078] The difference between the potential energy H1 at the upstream opening point 111 and the 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.

[0079] The pressure P1 at the upstream opening point 111 and the pressure P2 at the downstream opening point 112 are both zero.

[0080] 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.

[0081] In the first piping type, ΣD can be expressed as ΣD = Da + Dc. Da is the pressure loss (inlet pressure loss) at the upstream open 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 the joints between pipes in the piping system.

[0082] 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 experimental evaluation of the gutter system 100A, etc.

[0083] 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 (3).

[0084]

number

[0085] Since the inner wall of a piping system is usually smooth, 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 us to use λ = 64 / Re. When the Reynolds number Re is 3 x 10 3 ~1×10 5 In this case, according to the Blasius equation, λ=0.3164×Re -1 / 4 can be used. When the Reynolds number Re is 1×10 5 ~3×10 6 In this case, according to the Nikuladze formula, λ=0.0032+0.221×Re -0.237 The following describes the case where the Nikuladze formula is used. Note that the pipe friction coefficient λ is not limited to this, and may be determined using a predetermined chart or the like.

[0086] If the flow velocity at the downstream open point 112 is V0, the flow velocity V0 can be expressed by the following equation (4).

[0087]

number

[0088] In the above equation (4), 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.

[0089] 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 experimental evaluation of the gutter system 100A. Therefore, Σd can be specified based on the piping type. In the first piping type, L = h.

[0090] From the above equation (4), the flow velocity V0 can be calculated by specifying the pipe diameter d and the height h of the piping system.

[0091] 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 equation (4).

[0092] The theoretical value of the flow rate at the downstream open point 112 is Q T Q T is expressed by the following equation (5).

[0093]

number

[0094] 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 Aa is the correction coefficient for converting the theoretical value Q of the flow rate at the downstream open point 112. T and the actual measurement value of the flow rate at the downstream opening point 112 of the gutter system 100A obtained by experiment. This makes it possible to present not only the theoretical value but also the flow rate based on the theoretical value and the actual measurement. The actual value of the flow rate Q A is based on actual measurements and is therefore suitable for setting a guaranteed value for a piping system, which is the flow rate at which the piping system can be used safely.

[0095] Figure 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the height of the piping system and the flow rate. The graph in Figure 8 corresponds to the first piping type, VP75 piping system. F1 is the theoretical value Q for the height h of the piping system. 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 is used as a. For example, a is the theoretical value Q at h=3. T F2 can be calculated by multiplying the equation showing the approximate curve of F1 by a. In Figure 8, it can be seen that F2 closely matches the measured value. Therefore, even for the configuration of a piping system in which the flow rate has not been evaluated by experiment or test, the theoretical value Q T By using this, it is possible to obtain the flow rate based on actual measurements. 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 downspout and the height h of the piping system. T From this, the actual value Q of the flow rate at the downstream open point 112 A can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0096] The guaranteed value of the 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 Gb is the ratio of the above. b is the so-called safety factor in the design of a piping system. b may be determined appropriately taking into consideration various factors such as the amount of air mixed in the piping system, the height of the piping system, the piping type, the margin for 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.

[0097] Therefore, using the pipe diameter d of the downspout and the height h of the piping system, the guaranteed value Q of the flow rate at the downstream opening point 112, which indicates the drainage capacity of the downspout, is G can be obtained.

[0098] Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a calculation model of the second piping type of the piping system of Fig. 6. In the calculation model of the second piping type, the flow path between the upstream opening point 111 and the downstream opening point 112 is defined by the downspout 130, the inlet pipe 150, the first elbow 161, the second elbow 162, and the connecting pipe 170.

[0099] The above formula (2) also holds true in the calculation model for the second piping type.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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 based on experimental evaluation of the gutter system 100B, etc. As described above, Db1 is the pressure loss near the first elbow 161. Db2 is the pressure loss near the second elbow 162. Various well-known elbows can be used for the first elbow 161 and the second elbow 162. For example, JIS K 6739 "Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe Fittings for Drainage" specifies 90° elbows, 90° large bend elbows, 45° elbows, etc. Depending on the type of elbows used for the first elbow 161 and the second elbow 162, the pressure loss near the first elbow 161 and the second elbow 162 can vary. Therefore, Σd can be determined based on the type of piping component as Σd = da + db1 + db2 + dc.

[0102] Therefore, in the second piping type as well, the flow velocity V0 can be expressed by the above formula (4).

[0103] 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 through 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 main 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 construction constraints, average configuration, etc. of the gutter system 100B of the second piping type.

[0104] In the second piping type, the flow velocity V0 can also be calculated from the above formula (4) by specifying the pipe diameter d and the height h of the piping system.

[0105] In the second piping type, a and b can be determined in advance by experimental evaluation of the gutter system 100B.T , Q A , and Q G can be obtained.

[0106] Therefore, in the second piping type, the guaranteed value Q of the flow rate at the downstream open point 112, which indicates the drainage capacity of the downspout, is calculated using the pipe diameter d of the downspout and the height h of the piping system. G can be obtained.

[0107] As described above, the second drainage capacity is determined based on the piping route of the piping system, the height of the piping system, and the pipe diameter of the downspout. In this embodiment, the second drainage capacity is determined based on the theoretical value Q of the flow rate of the downspout. T , the actual value Q A , or guaranteed value Q G Includes.

[0108] In this embodiment, the second drainage capacity is expressed as a flow rate. The second drainage capacity is expressed as a theoretical value Q T , the actual value Q A , or guaranteed value Q G When calculating the required number, the guaranteed value Q G It is preferable to use

[0109] The fourth information relates to constraints on the design of the piping system. The fourth information includes the number of downspouts to be installed in the piping system. The number of downspouts to be installed is the number of downspouts used in the piping system. The more the number of downspouts installed, the greater the flow rate that the piping system can handle. Since User 5 needs to design the piping system under various constraints, it is convenient to limit the number of downspouts to be installed to a range desired by User 5. The number of downspouts to be installed may be a number or a numerical range that the number of downspouts to be installed must satisfy.

[0110] The output information D2 includes the required number of downspouts in the piping system.

[0111] The required number of downspouts can be determined using input information D1. To determine the required number of downspouts, the minimum number of downspouts that satisfies the required flow rate of the piping system is found. The minimum number of downspouts is determined by the required flow rate of the piping system and the drainage capacity of the piping system. The drainage capacity of the piping system is the lower of the first drainage capacity or the second drainage capacity. In other words, if the drainage capacity of one of the eaves gutters and downspouts is lower than the other, the lower drainage capacity of the one will become a bottleneck in the drainage capacity of the entire piping system.

[0112] In this embodiment, the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity are expressed in terms of flow rate. Therefore, the minimum number is given by the value obtained by dividing the required flow rate of the piping system by the drainage capacity of the piping system (the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity), and rounding up any fraction after the decimal point. In other words, the minimum number is the smallest integer that exceeds the value obtained by dividing the required flow rate of the piping system by the drainage capacity of the piping system (the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity). Here, the minimum number of downspouts is N n , the required flow rate of the piping system is Q R , the first drainage capacity is Q g , the second drainage capacity is Q P The minimum number of downspouts is N n Using the ceiling function, Q g P Then, it is expressed by the following equation (6a), and Q g >Q P Then, it is expressed by the following equation (6b).

[0113]

number

[0114] ​In this embodiment, the input information D1 may include fourth information. The fourth information includes the number of downpipes to be installed. In this case, the larger of the minimum number of downpipes and the number of downpipes to be installed is used as the required number of downpipes. The fact that the minimum number of downpipes is smaller than the number of downpipes to be installed means that the required flow rate of the piping system can be met even if the number of downpipes to be installed is changed to the required number. Therefore, the output information D2 may include a display suggesting that the number of downpipes be changed from the installed number to the minimum number. Note that if the input information D1 does not include the fourth information, the minimum number of downpipes is used as the required number of downpipes.

[0115] As described above, the second drainage capacity is determined using the piping path of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout. Therefore, if the combination of the piping path of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout changes, the second drainage capacity may also change. A change in the second drainage capacity may affect the minimum number of downspouts. Therefore, by changing the combination of the piping path of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout, it is possible to find the smallest minimum number that satisfies the required flow rate.

[0116] Therefore, a plurality of minimum numbers corresponding to each of a plurality of combinations of the piping path of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout may be determined. One of the plurality of combinations is a first combination of the piping path of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout included in the third information. The plurality of combinations may be set so that at least one of the piping path and the pipe diameter is different from the first combination. As an example, suppose that there are three types of piping paths: elbow swing DL, elbow swing LL, and straight pipe, and three types of pipe diameters: VP75, VP100, and VP125. In this case, nine combinations are possible.

[0117] The multiple combinations may include a second combination that has the same piping route but a larger pipe diameter than the first combination. If the minimum number corresponding to the second combination is smaller than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination, it is possible to reduce the number of downspouts. Therefore, in this case, the output information D2 may include a display suggesting the second combination rather than the first combination.

[0118] The multiple combinations may include a third combination that has the same pipe diameter as the first combination but has a lower piping route cost. If the minimum number corresponding to the third combination is equal to or less than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination, it is possible to reduce the cost of the piping system without changing the number of downspouts. Therefore, in this case, the output information D2 may include an indication suggesting the third combination rather than the first combination.

[0119] The multiple combinations may include a fourth combination that has the same piping route but a smaller pipe diameter than the first combination. Generally, the smaller the pipe diameter, the lower the cost of the piping system. Therefore, if the minimum number corresponding to the fourth combination is equal to or less than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination, it is possible to reduce the cost of the downspouts without changing the number of downspouts. Therefore, in this case, the output information D2 may include an indication suggesting the fourth combination rather than the first combination.

[0120] [1.2 Operation] As described above, the design support system 1 presents output information D2 including the required number of downspouts in the piping system based on the required flow rate obtained from the input information D1 and the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity. Next, the operation of the design support system 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 12.

[0121] 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] The input screen G1 includes a first area R11, a second area R12, a third area R13, and a fourth area R14.

[0124] The first area R11 to the fourth area R14 are areas for inputting input information D1. The first area R11 and the second area R12 are areas for inputting first information and fourth information. The third area R13 is an area for inputting second information. The fourth area R14 is an area for inputting third information.

[0125] The first region R11 to the fourth region R14 will be described in more detail below.

[0126] The first area R11 is an area for inputting the roof area included in the first information and the number of downspouts included in the fourth information. The first area R11 allows input of any numerical values ​​for the roof area and the number of downspouts. The first area R11 includes explanation areas T11, T12, T13, and T14, and value display areas F11, F12, and F13. The explanation area T11 displays text related to inputting the roof area. The explanation area T11 in Figure 10 displays the text "1) Calculate the roof projection area per drop opening."

[0127] 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 range. The explanation area T12 is located near the value display area F11 (to the left in Figure 10) and displays a character string indicating that the value display area F11 is an area for inputting and displaying the roof area. The explanation area T12 in Figure 10 displays the character string "Total roof projected area."

[0128] The value display area F12 accepts input of a numerical value to be used as the number of downspouts to be installed and displays the input numerical value. In this embodiment, the number of downspouts to be installed is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The explanation area T13 is located near the value display area F12 (to the left in Figure 10) and displays a string of characters indicating that the value display area F12 is an area for inputting and displaying the number of downspouts to be installed. Since the number of downspouts in a piping system is often considered to be the same as the number of drop outlets in the piping system, the number of drop outlets can conventionally be used to mean the same as the number of downspouts. The explanation area T13 in Figure 10 displays the string of characters "number of drop outlets."

[0129] The value display area F13 displays a numerical value indicating the roof projection area per downspout. The roof projection area per downspout is obtained by dividing the numerical value (roof projection area) entered in the value display area F11 by the numerical value (number of downspouts installed) entered in the value display area F12. The explanation area T14 is located near the value display area F13 (to the left in Figure 10) and displays text indicating that the value display area F13 is an area for displaying the roof projection area per downspout. The explanation area T14 in Figure 10 displays the text "Roof projection area per drop opening."

[0130] In this way, the first area R11 allows the input of the roof projection area and the number of downspouts to be installed. The first area R11 can additionally display the roof projection area per downspout.

[0131] The second area R12 is an area for inputting the rainfall intensity included in the first information. The second area R12 allows input of any numerical value regarding the rainfall intensity. The second area R12 includes explanation areas T21, T22, T23, and T24, and value display areas F21, F22, and F23. The explanation area T21 displays text regarding the input of the rainfall intensity. The explanation area T21 in Figure 10 displays the text "2) Calculation of the rainfall amount per drop outlet."

[0132] The value display area F21 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 range. The explanation area T22 is located near the value display area F21 (to the left in Figure 10) and displays a string of characters to indicate that the value display area F21 is an area for inputting and displaying rainfall intensity. The explanation area T22 in Figure 10 displays the string of characters "Maximum Rainfall Intensity."

[0133] The value display area F22 displays a numerical value indicating the required flow rate per downspout. The required flow rate per downspout is equal to the rainfall per second per downspout. The rainfall per second per downspout is obtained by multiplying the numerical value displayed in the value display area F13 (roof projected area per downspout) by the numerical value entered in the value display area F21 (rainfall intensity). The explanation area T23 is located near the value display area F22 (to the left in Figure 10) and displays text indicating that the value display area F22 is an area for displaying the rainfall per second per downspout. The explanation area T23 in Figure 10 displays the text "Rainfall per second per downspout."

[0134] Thus, the second area R12 allows the input of the rainfall intensity. The second area R12 can additionally display the amount of rainfall per second per downspout.

[0135] The third area R13 is an area for inputting the type of eaves gutter and the water gradient of the eaves gutter included in the second information. The third area R13 allows the selection of the type of eaves gutter and allows any numerical value to be input regarding the water gradient of the eaves gutter. The third area R13 includes explanation areas T31, T32, T33, T34, and T35, a selection display area F31, and value display areas F32, F33, and F34. The explanation area T31 displays text related to inputting the drainage capacity of the eaves gutter (first drainage capacity). The explanation area T31 in Figure 10 displays the text "3) Calculate the drainage capacity of the eaves gutter."

[0136] The selection display area F31 accepts the selection of the type of eaves gutter and displays the selected type of eaves gutter. The type of eaves gutter is, for example, the product name of the eaves gutter provided to the user 5, and the selection display area F31 allows the product name to be selected. The explanation area T32 is located near the selection display area F31 (to the left in Figure 10), and displays a character string indicating that the selection display area F31 is an area for selecting and displaying the type of eaves gutter. The explanation area T32 in Figure 10 displays the character string "Types of eaves gutter".

[0137] The value display area F32 accepts input of a numerical value to be used as the eaves gutter water gradient and displays the input numerical value. In this embodiment, the eaves gutter water gradient is a continuous variable. However, in reality, there are limitations on the numerical interval and range. The explanation area T33 is located near the value display area F32 (to the left in Figure 10) and displays text indicating that the value display area F32 is an area for inputting and displaying the eaves gutter water gradient. The explanation area T33 in Figure 10 displays the text "Eaves gutter water gradient."

[0138] The value display area F33 displays a numerical value indicating the drainage capacity (first drainage capacity) of the eaves gutter. As described above, the drainage capacity of the eaves gutter can be determined based on the type of eaves gutter and the water gradient of the eaves gutter. The explanation area T34 is located near the value display area F33 (to the left in Figure 10) and displays text indicating that the value display area F33 is an area for displaying the first drainage capacity. The explanation area T34 in Figure 10 displays the text "Drainage capacity of eaves gutter."

[0139] The value display area F34 displays a numerical value obtained by converting the drainage capacity of the eaves gutter into roof area. The maximum roof projected area per eaves gutter is obtained by dividing the hourly drainage volume calculated from the numerical value (first drainage capacity) displayed in the value display area F33 by the numerical value (rainfall intensity) entered in the value display area F21. The explanation area T35 is located near the value display area F34 (to the left in Figure 10) and displays text indicating that the value display area F34 is an area for displaying the numerical value obtained by converting the drainage capacity of the eaves gutter into roof area. The explanation area T35 in Figure 10 displays the text "Maximum roof projected area per eaves gutter."

[0140] In this way, the third area R13 allows the input of the type of gutter and the water gradient of the gutter. The third area R13 can additionally display information about the first drainage capacity (drainage capacity of the gutter).

[0141] The fourth area R14 is an area for inputting the piping route, height, and downspout pipe diameter of the piping system included in the third information. The fourth area R14 allows selection of the piping route and pipe diameter of the piping system and allows input of any numerical value for the height of the piping system. The fourth area R14 includes explanation areas T41, T42, T43, T44, T45, and T46, selection display areas F41 and F42, and value display areas F43, F44, and F45. The explanation area T41 displays text related to inputting the downspout drainage capacity (second drainage capacity). The explanation area T31 in Figure 10 displays the text "4) Calculate the downspout drainage capacity."

[0142] The selection display area F41 accepts the selection of the pipe diameter of the piping system and displays the type of pipe diameter selected. When the selection display area F41 is selected, a list of specifiable pipe diameters is displayed. The list of pipe diameters includes, for example, four types of pipe diameters: "VU75," "VP75," "VP100," and "VP125," allowing the user to select a pipe diameter from the four types. The explanation area T42 is located near the selection display area F41 (to the left in Figure 10) and displays text indicating that the selection display area F41 is an area for selecting and displaying the pipe diameter of the piping system. The pipe diameter of the piping system is equal to the pipe diameter of the downspout, and the pipe diameter of the downspout can be used interchangeably with the type of downspout. The explanation area T42 in Figure 10 displays the text "Type of Downspout."

[0143] The selection display area F42 accepts the selection of a piping route for the piping system and displays the type of piping route selected. When the selection display area F42 is selected, a list of selectable piping routes is displayed. The list of piping routes includes, for example, three types of piping routes: "elbow swing DL," "elbow swing LL," and "straight pipe," and allows the user to select a specific piping route from the three types of piping routes. The explanation area T43 is located near the selection display area F42 (to the left in FIG. 10), and displays text indicating that the selection display area F42 is an area for selecting and displaying piping routes.

[0144] The value display area F43 accepts input of a numerical value to be used as the height of the piping 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 range. In particular, considering the use of the siphon effect, the height of the piping system may be required to be 3 m or more. The explanation area T44 is located near the value display area F43 (to the left in Figure 10) and displays a character string indicating that the value display area F43 is an area for inputting and displaying the height of the piping system. The explanation area T44 in Figure 10 displays the character string "length of vertical gutter."

[0145] The value display area F44 displays a numerical value indicating the drainage capacity (second drainage capacity) of the downspout. As described above, the drainage capacity of the downspout can be determined based on the piping path of the piping system, the height of the piping system, and the pipe diameter of the downspout. The explanation area T45 is located near the value display area F44 (to the left in Figure 10) and displays text indicating that the value display area F44 is an area for displaying the second drainage capacity. The explanation area T45 in Figure 10 displays the text "Drainage capacity of downspout."

[0146] The value display area F45 displays a numerical value obtained by converting the drainage capacity of the downspout into roof area. The maximum roof projected area per downspout is obtained by dividing the hourly drainage volume calculated from the numerical value (second drainage capacity) displayed in the value display area F44 by the numerical value (rainfall intensity) entered in the value display area F21. The explanation area T46 is located near the value display area F45 (to the left in Figure 10) and displays text indicating that the value display area F45 is an area for displaying the numerical value obtained by converting the drainage capacity of the downspout into roof area. The explanation area T46 in Figure 10 displays the text "Maximum roof projected area per downspout."

[0147] Thus, the fourth area R14 allows the input of the piping route of the piping system, the height of the piping system, and the pipe diameter of the downspout. The fourth area R14 can additionally display information about the second drainage capacity (drainage capacity of the eaves gutter).

[0148] The information terminal 2 transmits input information D1, including the roof area and the number of installed downspouts input in the first area R11, the rainfall intensity input in the second area R12, the type of eaves gutter and the water gradient of the eaves gutter input in the third area R13, and the piping route of the piping system, the height of the piping system, and the pipe diameter of the downspout input in the fourth area R14, to the processing device 3 via the communication network 4. The processing device 3 executes the calculation program P to generate output information D2 from the input information D1. The processing device 3 transmits the output information D2 to the information terminal 2 via the communication network 4.

[0149] Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of an output screen displayed by the design support system 1. Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of an output screen displayed by the design support system 1.

[0150] 11 and 12 is used to output the output information D2. In this embodiment, the output screen G2 is displayed using the web browser WB1.

[0151] The output screen G2 includes a fifth region R15, a sixth region R16, and a button B16.

[0152] The fifth area R15 is an area for displaying the result of determining the required number of downspouts in the piping system. As described above, the required number of downspouts is the larger of the minimum number of downspouts and the number of installed downspouts. The minimum number of downspouts is determined based on the required flow rate obtained from the input information D1 and the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity. The value displayed in the value display area F33 is used for the first drainage capacity. The value displayed in the value display area F44 is used for the second drainage capacity.

[0153] The fifth region R15 includes an explanation region T51 and display regions m51 and m52.

[0154] The explanation area T51 displays a character string related to the display of the judgment of the piping system. The explanation area T51 in Fig. 11 displays the character string "5) Judgment."

[0155] Display area m51 displays a character string indicating the result of determining the required number of downspouts in the piping system. In FIG. 11, display area m51 displays the character string "As a result of comparing [blank space A1] and determining based on [blank space A2], the required number of outlets is [blank space A3]." Here, the contents of blank spaces A1 to A3 are determined by secondary display areas F51, F52, and F53. Secondary display area F51 displays either the eaves gutter or the downspout, which has the higher drainage capacity. Secondary display area F52 displays either the eaves gutter or the downspout, which has the lower drainage capacity. Secondary display area F53 displays a numerical value indicating the required number.

[0156] Display area m52 displays a string indicating the safety factor. Display area m52 displays the following: "For the required drainage capacity [blank A5] (liters / second) when the rainfall amount is [blank A4] (mm / h), [blank A6] can ensure [blank A7] (liters / second), providing a safety factor of approximately [blank A8]." The contents of blanks A4 to A8 are determined by secondary display areas F54 to F58. Secondary display area F54 displays the numerical value (rainfall intensity) displayed in value display area F21. Secondary display area F55 displays the numerical value indicating the required flow rate per downspout. The required flow rate per downspout is given by the required flow rate of the piping system divided by the required number of downspouts. Secondary display area F56 Like the secondary display area F52, the secondary display area F55 displays the lower of the drainage capacities of the eaves gutter and the downspout. The secondary display area F57 displays the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity. The secondary display area F58 displays the safety factor. The safety factor is obtained, for example, by subtracting the required flow rate per downspout from the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity, and then dividing the result by the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity. In other words, the safety factor is obtained by subtracting the value displayed in the secondary display area F55 from the value displayed in the secondary display area F57, and then dividing the result by the value displayed in the secondary display area F57.

[0157] The sixth area R16 is an area for displaying reference information, which is information for optimizing the piping system.

[0158] The sixth region R16 includes an explanation region T61 and display regions m61 and m62.

[0159] The explanation area T61 displays a character string related to the display of reference information. The explanation area T61 in Fig. 11 displays the character string "Reference Information."

[0160] Display area m61 is displayed when the minimum number of downspouts is smaller than the number of downspouts installed. Display area m61 displays a suggestion to change the number of downspouts from the installed number to the minimum number. Display area m61 displays a string of text suggesting to change the number of downspouts from the installed number to the minimum number. In FIG. 11, display area m61 displays the string of text "With this combination of eaves, soffits, and downspouts, the number of drop-offs may be reduced to [blank field B1]." Here, the content of blank field B1 is determined by secondary display area F61. Secondary display area F61 displays a numerical value indicating the minimum number of downspouts. This makes it possible to further simplify the design of piping systems.

[0161] Display area m62 is displayed when the minimum number corresponding to the second combination is smaller than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination. Display area m62 is a display that suggests the second combination over the first combination. Display area m62 displays text suggesting the second combination over the first combination. In FIG. 11, display area m62 displays the text "By changing the size of the downspout from [blank space B2] to [blank space B3], the number of drop holes may be reduced to [blank space B4]." Here, the contents of blank spaces B2 to B4 are determined by secondary display areas F62 to F64. Secondary display area F62 displays text indicating the pipe diameter of the first combination. Secondary display area F63 displays text indicating the pipe diameter of the second combination. Secondary display area F64 displays a numerical value indicating the minimum number corresponding to the second combination. This further simplifies the design of piping systems. In particular, this can suggest the possibility of simplifying the configuration of piping systems and reducing costs by reducing the number of downspouts.

[0162] Display area m63 is displayed when the minimum number corresponding to the third combination is equal to or less than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination. Display area m63 is a display that suggests the third combination over the first combination. Display area m63 displays text suggesting the third combination over the first combination. In FIG. 11, display area m63 displays the text "Even if the current pipe diameter is left unchanged and the piping route is changed to [blank field B5], the number of drop outlets will not change." Here, the content of blank field B5 is determined by the secondary display area F65. The secondary display area F65 displays text indicating the piping route of the third combination. This enables further simplification of the design of the piping system. In particular, the third combination corresponds to a piping route that is less expensive than the first combination. Therefore, it can suggest the possibility of reducing the cost of the piping system.

[0163] The button B16 is a button for switching between displaying and hiding a portion of the output information D2. In the present embodiment, the portion of the output information D2 is the sixth region R16. The first example in FIG. 11 corresponds to a state in which the sixth region R16 is displayed, and the second example in FIG. 12 corresponds to a state in which the sixth region R16 is not displayed. When the button B16 is operated in a state in which the sixth region R16 is displayed as in FIG. 11, the sixth region R16 is not displayed as in FIG. 12. On the other hand, when the button B16 is operated in a state in which the sixth region R16 is not displayed as in FIG. 12, the sixth region R16 is displayed as in FIG. 11. This makes it possible to select and discard necessary information on the output screen G2.

[0164] Various tools have been provided for confirming the configuration of a piping system that satisfies the required flow rate of the piping system. A design support system 1 uses input information D1, which is used to identify the required flow rate (i.e., the flow rate the piping system is required to achieve), the first drainage capacity of the eaves gutters of the piping system, and the second drainage capacity of the downspouts when the piping system utilizes siphoning, to present output information D2, including the required number of downspouts in the piping system. The output information D2 allows a user 5 to confirm the configuration of the piping system that satisfies the required flow rate of the piping system. Furthermore, the output information D2 may include a display of a proposal on how to reduce the number of downspouts in the piping system. Therefore, the design support system 1 not only confirms the specifications (configuration) of the piping system, but also automatically determines the specifications of the piping system that take into account the benefits to the user 5, such as reduced labor and costs for piping system construction by reducing the number of downspouts, without requiring the user 5 to rely on trial and error. This enables the automated proposal of the optimal piping system desired by the user 5. Therefore, the design support system 1 enables optimization and simplification of the design of piping systems that utilize siphoning.

[0165] [1.3 Effects, etc.] The design support system 1 described above is a design support system for a piping system that has eaves gutters and downspouts and uses siphonage to drain water. It includes a calculation circuit 25 connected to a display device 22a and an input device 21. The calculation circuit 25 displays, via the display device 22a, an input screen G1 for inputting input information D1, which includes first information used to determine the required flow rate (the flow rate the piping system is required to achieve), second information used to determine the first drainage capacity of the eaves gutters of the piping system, and third information used to determine the second drainage capacity of the downspouts of the piping system. The input device 21 accepts the input of the input information D1, and the display device 22a displays, via the output screen G2, output information D2 including the required number of downspouts in the piping system based on the required flow rate obtained from the input information D1 and the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity. This configuration enables optimization and simplification of the design of piping systems that use siphonage.

[0166] In the design support system 1 described above, the input information D1 includes fourth information regarding constraints on the design of the piping system. The fourth information includes the number of downspouts to be installed. The larger of the minimum number of downspouts calculated from the required flow rate and the lower of the first and second drainage capacities, and the number of downspouts to be installed, is used as the required number of downspouts. This configuration makes it possible to limit the required number of downspouts to a range desired by the user.

[0167] In the design support system 1 described above, the output information D2 includes a display suggesting that the number of downspouts be changed from the installed number to the minimum number if the minimum number is smaller than the installed number. This configuration makes it possible to further simplify the design of piping systems.

[0168] In the design support system 1 described above, the third information includes the piping type of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout. The second drainage capacity is determined based on the piping type of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout. This configuration further simplifies the design of the piping system.

[0169] In the design support system 1 described above, the minimum number of downspouts is determined from the required flow rate and the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity, and the output information D2 includes multiple minimum numbers corresponding to multiple combinations of the piping route of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout, one of the multiple combinations being the first combination of the piping route of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout included in the third information. This configuration enables further optimization of the design of the piping system.

[0170] In the design support system 1 described above, the multiple combinations include a second combination that has the same piping route but a larger pipe diameter than a first combination, and the output screen G2 includes a display that suggests the second combination over the first combination when the minimum number corresponding to the second combination is smaller than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination. This configuration enables further optimization of the piping system design.

[0171] In the design support system 1 described above, the multiple combinations include a third combination that has the same pipe diameter as the first combination but has a lower piping route cost, and the output screen G2 includes a display that suggests the third combination over the first combination when the minimum number corresponding to the third combination is equal to or less than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination. This configuration enables further optimization of the piping system design.

[0172] In the design support system 1 described above, the third information further includes the height of the piping system, which is expressed as the vertical distance between the upstream and downstream opening points of the piping system, and the second drainage capacity is determined based on the piping type of the piping system, the height of the piping system, and the pipe diameter of the downspout. This configuration makes it possible to further simplify the design of the piping system.

[0173] In the design support system 1 described above, the output screen G2 includes a button B16 for switching between displaying and hiding a part of the output information D2 (sixth display area R16). This configuration makes it possible to select and discard necessary information on the output screen G2.

[0174] In the design support system 1 described above, the first information includes structural information about the structure of the building where the piping system is to be installed and location information about the location of the building, and 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 further simplifies the design of the piping system.

[0175] The design support system 1 described above can be said to execute the following method (design support method). The design support method is for a piping system having eaves gutters and downspouts and utilizing siphonage for drainage. The design support method is executed by a calculation circuit 25 connected to a display device 22a and an input device 21. The display device 22a displays an input screen G1 for inputting input information D1, which includes first information used to determine a required flow rate, which is the flow rate the piping system is required to achieve, second information used to determine a first drainage capacity of the eaves gutters of the piping system, and third information used to determine a second drainage capacity of the downspouts of the piping system. The input device 21 accepts the input of the input information D1. The display device 22a displays an output screen G2 presenting output information D2 including the required number of downspouts in the piping system based on the required flow rate obtained from the input information D1 and the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity. This configuration enables optimization and simplification of the design of piping systems utilizing siphonage.

[0176] The design support system 1 is realized using an arithmetic circuit 25. That is, 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 simplify the design of piping systems that utilize the siphon phenomenon.

[0177] [2. Modifications] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above-described embodiments can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Modifications of the above-described embodiments are listed below. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

[0178] [2.1 Variation 1] The configuration of the design support system according to the first modification 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.

[0179] Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system 1 of Modification 1. An output screen G2A shown in Fig. 13 shows a sixth region R16A that can be used in place of the sixth region R16 in Fig. 11.

[0180] The sixth region R16A includes explanation regions T61 and T62A and display regions m62A and m63.

[0181] Explanation area T62A displays, in tabular form, the correspondence between multiple combinations and multiple minimum numbers. In explanation area T62A, the multiple combinations are nine combinations of three types of piping routes (elbow swing DL, elbow swing LL, and straight pipe) with three types of pipe diameters (VP75, VP100, and VP125). According to explanation area T62A, the minimum number corresponding to the combination of elbow swing DL and VP75 is 7, the minimum number corresponding to the combination of elbow swing DL and VP100 is 5, the minimum number corresponding to the combination of elbow swing DL and VP125 is 4, the minimum number corresponding to the combination of elbow swing LL and VP75 is 6, the minimum number corresponding to the combination of elbow swing LL and VP100 is 5, the minimum number corresponding to the combination of elbow swing LL and VP125 is 3, the minimum number corresponding to the combination of straight pipe and VP75 is 6, the minimum number corresponding to the combination of straight pipe and VP100 is 4, and the minimum number corresponding to the combination of straight pipe and VP125 is 3. Here, the combination of elbow swing LL and VP100 is the first combination corresponding to input information D1, the combination of elbow swing LL and VP125 is the second combination, and the combination of elbow swing DL and VP100 is the third combination.

[0182] On the output screen G2A, the minimum number corresponding to the first combination is displayed distinctly from the other minimum numbers among the plurality of minimum numbers. In FIG. 13, the background color of the field corresponding to the first combination is different from the background colors corresponding to the other combinations. Furthermore, the display manner of the numerical values ​​corresponding to the first combination is different from the display manner of the numerical values ​​corresponding to the other combinations. In FIG. 13, only the numerical values ​​corresponding to the first combination are displayed in bold. This allows the user 5 to easily grasp the minimum number corresponding to the first combination.

[0183] On the output screen G2A, the minimum numbers corresponding to the second and third combinations are displayed separately from the other minimum numbers among the plurality of minimum numbers. In Fig. 13, the boxes corresponding to the second and third combinations are surrounded by thick lines. This allows the user 5 to easily understand the minimum numbers corresponding to the combinations proposed by the design support system 1.

[0184] Explanation region T62A includes arrows A61A and A62A. Arrow A61A is displayed when the minimum number corresponding to the second combination is less than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination, and is an indication suggesting the second combination over the first combination. Arrow A62A is displayed when the minimum number corresponding to the third combination is equal to or less than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination, and is an indication suggesting the third combination over the first combination.

[0185] Like display area m62, display area m62A is displayed when the minimum number corresponding to the second combination is less than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination, and is a display that suggests the second combination over the first combination. In FIG. 13, display area m62A displays the text "By increasing the pipe diameter to [blank space C1], the number of drop points may be reduced to [blank space C2]." Here, the contents of blank spaces C1 and C2 are determined by secondary display areas F61A and F62A. Secondary display area F61A displays text indicating the pipe diameter of the second combination. Secondary display area F64 displays a numerical value indicating the minimum number corresponding to the second combination. This further simplifies the design of piping systems.

[0186] The output information D2 may include a plurality of minimum numbers corresponding to each of a plurality of combinations of the piping route of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout. This makes it possible to display a plurality of minimum numbers corresponding to each of the plurality of combinations. On the output screen, the minimum number corresponding to the first combination may be displayed separately from the other minimum numbers among the plurality of minimum numbers. This makes it easy to understand the minimum number corresponding to the input information D1.

[0187] In the design support system 1 described above, the correspondence between the plurality of combinations and the plurality of minimum numbers is displayed in a table format on the output screen G2A. This configuration allows the user 5 to easily understand the correspondence between the plurality of combinations and the plurality of minimum numbers.

[0188] In the design support system 1, the minimum number corresponding to the first combination is displayed on the output screen G2A in a manner that distinguishes it from the other minimum numbers among the plurality of minimum numbers. This configuration allows the user 5 to easily grasp the minimum number corresponding to the first combination.

[0189] [2.2 Variation 2] The configuration of the design support system according to the second modification 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.

[0190] Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system 1 of Modification 1. An output screen G2B shown in Fig. 14 shows the seventh region R17B.

[0191] The seventh area R17B is an area for displaying cost information regarding the installation cost of a piping system. In particular, the seventh area R17B displays cost information regarding the installation cost of a piping system corresponding to a combination of a piping route and a pipe diameter. The installation cost of a piping system may be determined based on the height of the piping system, the price per unit length of pipe material corresponding to the pipe diameter of the downspout, and the required number of downspouts. In this embodiment, the installation cost of a piping system may be determined based on the piping route of the piping system, the height of the piping system, the required number of downspouts, and price information of parts used in the piping system. The price information may include the prices of piping components and pipe materials. The piping components may include drains, sockets, DLs, LLs, etc. The price of pipe materials is, for example, the price per unit length. The prices of piping components and pipe materials are set for each pipe diameter. Table 3 below shows an example of price information for each pipe diameter. In Table 3 below, the unit of pipe material price is [yen / 4m], which is the price per 4m. Price information such as that shown in Table 3 below may be stored in the storage device 24 of the processing device 2.

[0192] [Table 3]

[0193] As an example, we will briefly explain how to calculate the installation costs for an elbow drop-in drain, an elbow drop-in drain, and a straight pipe. First, determine the number of components in the piping system. The number of drains is equal to the required number of downspouts. The number of pipe members is the product of the required number of downspouts and the number of pipe members per downspout. The number of pipe members per downspout is the height of the piping system divided by the unit length of the pipe members, rounded up to the nearest whole number. The number of sockets is the product of the required number of downspouts and the number of sockets per downspout. The number of sockets per downspout is the number of pipe members per downspout minus one. The number of drains and pipe members differ for elbow drop-in drains, elbow drop-in drains, and straight pipes. For elbow drop-in drains, the number of drains and pipe members is equal to the required number of downspouts. In an elbow LL, the number of DL is 0, but the number of LL is twice the required number of downspouts. In a straight pipe, the number of DL and LL is 0.

[0194] The seventh region R17B is displayed, for example, by selecting a desired combination from multiple combinations in the explanation region T62A of the output screen G2A shown in Fig. 13. For example, the seventh region R17B in Fig. 14 corresponds to the first combination in the explanation region T62A of the output screen G2A shown in Fig. 13. In this case, the seventh region R17B corresponding to the first combination may be displayed by selecting the field corresponding to the first combination in the explanation region T62A of the output screen G2A shown in Fig. 13.

[0195] The seventh region R17B includes explanation regions T71B and T72B and a display region m71B.

[0196] The explanation area T71B displays a character string related to the display of cost information. The explanation area T71B in Fig. 14 displays the character string "Trial calculation of this piping system."

[0197] Display area m71B displays a string of characters indicating the conditions for calculating the installation costs of a piping system. In FIG. 14, display area m71B displays the string "Calculation is based on the number of outlets [blank field D1] and the effective height of the siphon [blank field D2] (m)." Here, the contents of blank fields D1 and D2 are determined by secondary display areas F71B and F72B. Secondary display area F71B displays a numerical value indicating the required number of downspouts. Secondary display area F72B displays the numerical value entered and displayed in value display area F43 (the numerical value indicating the height of the piping system).

[0198] The explanation area T72B displays the installation cost of the piping system in a table format. In the explanation area T72B, the installation cost of the piping system includes the number, unit price, and diameter of parts used in the piping system, as well as the installation cost (total) of the piping system. The explanation area T72B displays a breakdown of the installation cost of the piping system, allowing the user 5 to easily understand the installation cost of the piping system.

[0199] As described above, in the design support system 1, the output information D2 includes cost information regarding the installation cost of the piping system. The installation cost is determined based on the height of the piping system, the price per unit length of the pipe material corresponding to the pipe diameter of the downspout, and the required number of downspouts. This configuration makes it possible to design a piping system with cost in mind.

[0200] [2.3 Variation 3] The configuration of the design support system according to the third modification 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.

[0201] Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system 1 of Modification 3. An output screen G2C shown in Fig. 15 shows a sixth region R16C that can be used in place of the sixth region R16 in Fig. 11.

[0202] In variant example 3, there are two types of piping routes: "elbow swing DL" and "elbow swing LL and others." The calculation of the second drainage capacity for "elbow swing LL and others" may be a representative value of the second drainage capacities of "elbow swing LL," "elbow swing 45 degrees," and "straight pipe." The representative value may be a statistical value such as a minimum value, maximum value, median value, intermediate value, or average value. From the perspective of guaranteeing drainage capacity, the drainage capacity of "elbow swing LL and others" may be the minimum value of the drainage capacities of "elbow swing LL," "elbow swing 45 degrees," and "straight pipe." For example, the content of "elbow swing LL and others" may be the same as the content of "elbow swing LL."

[0203] The sixth region R16C includes explanation regions T61 and T62C and display regions m62A and m63.

[0204] The explanation area T62C displays the correspondence between multiple combinations and multiple minimum numbers in a table. In the explanation area T62C, the multiple combinations are six combinations of two types of piping routes (elbow swing DL, elbow swing LL, etc.) with three types of pipe diameters (VP75, VP100, VP125).

[0205] In variant example 3, by reducing the number of types of piping routes in the piping system, the range of choices for the piping system design is narrowed, but this may have the advantage of making it easier for user 5 to select the piping system design compared to when the range of choices for piping systems is too wide.

[0206] [2.4 Other Modifications] In one variant, 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, but 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 can identify the roof area S, the rainfall intensity R, and the height h of the piping system, but is not the roof area S, the rainfall intensity R, or the height h of the piping system itself. For example, the input information D1 may include building information about the building in which the piping system is installed. The building information may include structural information about the structure of the building and location information about 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 building's roof 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, thereby making it possible to determine the rainfall intensity.

[0207] In one modified example, the input information D1 may not include the height h of the piping system. In this case, the height h of the piping system may be determined in advance to determine the design conditions of the piping system.

[0208] In one variation, the piping type is not limited to the first and second piping types described above. Although the first and second piping types are relatively typical piping types in gutter systems, it goes without saying that a variety of 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 combined into one.

[0209] 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 can be used as the discrete variable 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.

[0210] In one variation, the drainage capacity (first or second drainage capacity) of the eaves gutter or downspout may be expressed by at least one of the flow rate, the corresponding roof area, or the corresponding rainfall intensity.

[0211] In one modified example, when the height of the piping system may be a fixed value, the third information is not limited to the piping path of the piping system, the height of the piping system, and the pipe diameter of the downspout. The third information may include the piping path of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout. Furthermore, the third information may be information that can identify the second drainage capacity of the downspout, and may be the second drainage capacity of the downspout itself, or may include parameters for calculating the second drainage capacity of the downspout using a method different from that of the above embodiment. For example, the second drainage capacity of the downspout can be roughly calculated using Torricelli's equation. Here, V2 is expressed by the following equation (7), where V2 is the flow velocity at the outlet of the downspout, g is the gravitational acceleration, and h is the height of the piping system.

[0212]

number

[0213] If the second drainage capacity is Q2 and the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the downspout is S2, Q2 is expressed by the following equation (8).

[0214]

number

[0215] In the above equation (8), α is a coefficient, which may be derived from experimental values ​​of the drainage capacity of a piping system when a siphon phenomenon occurs.

[0216] However, the drainage capacity calculated using equations (2) to (5) described in the above embodiment is preferable to the drainage capacity calculated using Torricelli's formula, as it is more consistent with the actual values.

[0217] In one variation, the cost information may be displayed on the same screen as the reference information or on a separate screen. Also, the output information D2 does not necessarily have to include the cost information.

[0218] In one modified example, the design support system 1 may automatically generate the output information D2 when the input of the input information D1 is completed, and the input screen G1 may display a start button for starting the generation of the output information D2. The design support system 1 may generate the output information D2 in response to the operation of the start button.

[0219] In one variation, the input screen and the output screen may be one screen rather than separate screens.

[0220] 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.

[0221] 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 the plurality of functions (components) of the design support system 1 be concentrated 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.

[0222] [3. Aspects] As is apparent from the above-described embodiment and modifications, the present disclosure includes the following aspects.

[0223] [Aspect 1] A design support system for a piping system that has eaves gutters and downspouts and drains water using a siphon effect, an arithmetic circuit connected to the display device and the input device; The arithmetic circuit comprises: The display device First information used to identify a required flow rate, which is a flow rate that the piping system is required to achieve; Second information used to identify a first drainage capacity of the eaves gutter of the piping system; and Third information used to identify a second drainage capacity of the downspout of the piping system; displaying an input screen for inputting input information including Accepting input of the input information by the input device; and displaying, by the display device, an output screen presenting output information including the required number of downspouts in the piping system based on the required flow rate obtained from the input information and the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity. Design support system.

[0224] [Aspect 2] the input information includes fourth information regarding design constraints of the piping system; the fourth information includes the number of downspouts installed, The larger of the minimum number of downspouts calculated from the required flow rate and the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity and the number of downspouts to be installed is used as the required number of downspouts. 1 is a design support system according to embodiment 1.

[0225] [Aspect 3] When the minimum number is smaller than the installation number, the output information includes a display suggesting that the number of downspouts be changed from the installation number to the minimum number. 2. A design support system according to claim 2.

[0226] [Aspect 4] the third information includes a piping type of the piping system and a pipe diameter of the downspout; The second drainage capacity is determined based on the piping type of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout. The design support system according to any one of aspects 1 to 3.

[0227] [Aspect 5] The minimum number of downspouts is determined from the required flow rate, the first drainage capacity, and the second drainage capacity, whichever is lower; the output information includes a plurality of the minimum numbers corresponding to a plurality of combinations of the piping route of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout, One of the plurality of combinations is a first combination of a piping route of the piping system and a pipe diameter of the downspout included in the third information. A design support system according to a fourth aspect.

[0228] [Aspect 6] On the output screen, the correspondence between the plurality of combinations and the plurality of minimum numbers is displayed in a table format. 6. A design support system according to embodiment 5.

[0229] [Aspect 7] On the output screen, the minimum number corresponding to the first combination is displayed in a manner distinguished from other minimum numbers among the plurality of minimum numbers. 7. A design support system according to claim 6.

[0230] [Aspect 8] The plurality of combinations includes a second combination in which the piping route is the same as the first combination but the pipe diameter is larger than the first combination, the output screen includes a display suggesting the second combination over the first combination when the minimum number corresponding to the second combination is less than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination. The design support system according to any one of aspects 5 to 7.

[0231] [Aspect 9] the plurality of combinations includes a third combination in which the pipe diameter is the same as the first combination and the cost of the piping route is lower, the output screen includes a display that suggests the third combination over the first combination when the minimum number corresponding to the third combination is equal to or less than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination. The design support system according to any one of aspects 5 to 8.

[0232] [Aspect 10] the third information further includes a height of the piping system represented by a distance between an upstream opening point and a downstream opening point of the piping system in a vertical direction; The second drainage capacity is determined based on the piping type of the piping system, the height of the piping system, and the pipe diameter of the downspout. The design support system according to any one of aspects 4 to 9.

[0233] [Aspect 11] the output information includes cost information relating to installation costs of the piping system; The installation cost is determined based on the height of the piping system, the price per unit length of a pipe material corresponding to the pipe diameter of the downspout, and the required number of the downspouts. A design support system according to embodiment 10.

[0234] [Aspect 12] the output screen includes a button for switching between displaying and hiding a part of the output information; The design support system according to any one of aspects 1 to 11.

[0235] [Aspect 13] the first information includes structural information regarding a structure of a building in which the piping system is installed and location information regarding a 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. The design support system according to any one of aspects 1 to 12.

[0236] [Aspect 14] A design support method for a piping system that has an eaves gutter and a downspout and drains water using a siphon effect, executed by a computing circuit coupled to the display device and the input device; The display device First information used to identify a required flow rate, which is a flow rate that the piping system is required to achieve; Second information used to identify a first drainage capacity of the eaves gutter of the piping system; and Third information used to identify a second drainage capacity of the downspout of the piping system; displaying an input screen for inputting input information including Accepting input of the input information by the input device; and displaying, by the display device, an output screen presenting output information including the required number of downspouts in the piping system based on the required flow rate obtained from the input information and the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity. Design support method.

[0237] [Aspect 15] In order to cause the arithmetic circuit to execute the design support method of aspect 14, program.

[0238] Aspects 2 to 13 are optional elements and are not essential. Aspects 2 to 13 can be combined with Aspect 14 as appropriate. [Industrial Applicability]

[0239] 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]

[0240] 1 Design support system 21 Input Devices 22a Display device 25 Arithmetic circuit D1 Input information D2 Output Information

Claims

1. A design support system for a piping system that has eaves gutters and downspouts and drains water using a siphon effect, an arithmetic circuit connected to the display device and the input device; The arithmetic circuit comprises: The display device First information used to identify a required flow rate, which is a flow rate that the piping system is required to achieve; Second information used to identify a first drainage capacity of the eaves gutter of the piping system; and Third information used to specify a second drainage capacity of the downspout when a siphon phenomenon is utilized in the piping system; displaying an input screen for inputting input information including Accepting input of the input information by the input device; and displaying, by the display device, an output screen presenting output information including the required number of downspouts in the piping system based on the required flow rate obtained from the input information and the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity. Design support system.

2. the input information includes fourth information related to design constraints of the piping system; the fourth information includes the number of downspouts installed; The larger of the minimum number of downpipes calculated from the required flow rate, the first drainage capacity, and the second drainage capacity, whichever is lower, and the number of downpipes to be installed, is used as the required number of downpipes. The design support system of claim 1.

3. When the minimum number is smaller than the installation number, the output information includes a display suggesting that the number of downspouts be changed from the installation number to the minimum number. The design support system according to claim 2.

4. the third information includes a piping route of the piping system and a pipe diameter of the downspout; The second drainage capacity is determined based on a piping path of the piping system and a pipe diameter of the downspout. The design support system of claim 1.

5. The minimum number of downspouts is determined from the required flow rate, the first drainage capacity, and the second drainage capacity, whichever is lower; the output information includes a plurality of the minimum numbers corresponding to a plurality of combinations of the piping route of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout, One of the plurality of combinations is a first combination of a piping route of the piping system and a pipe diameter of the downspout, which is included in the third information. The design support system according to claim 4.

6. On the output screen, the correspondence between the plurality of combinations and the plurality of minimum numbers is displayed in a table format. The design support system according to claim 5.

7. on the output screen, the minimum number corresponding to the first combination is displayed in a manner distinguished from other minimum numbers among the plurality of minimum numbers. The design support system of claim 6.

8. the plurality of combinations includes a second combination in which the piping route is the same as the first combination but the pipe diameter is larger than the first combination, the output screen includes a display suggesting the second combination over the first combination when the minimum number corresponding to the second combination is less than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination. The design support system according to claim 5.

9. the plurality of combinations includes a third combination in which the pipe diameter is the same as the first combination and the cost of the piping route is lower, the output screen includes a display that suggests the third combination over the first combination when the minimum number corresponding to the third combination is equal to or less than the minimum number corresponding to the first combination. The design support system according to claim 5.

10. the third information further includes a height of the piping system represented by a distance between an upstream opening point and a downstream opening point of the piping system in a vertical direction; The second drainage capacity is determined based on a piping path of the piping system, a height of the piping system, and a pipe diameter of the downspout. The design support system according to claim 4.

11. the output information includes cost information relating to installation costs of the piping system; The installation cost is determined based on the height of the piping system, the price per unit length of a pipe material corresponding to the pipe diameter of the downspout, and the required number of the downspouts. The design support system of claim 10.

12. the output screen includes a button for switching between displaying and hiding a part of the output information; The design support system of claim 1.

13. the first information includes structural information regarding a structure of a building in which the piping system is installed and location information regarding a 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. The design support system of claim 1.

14. A design support method for a piping system that has an eaves gutter and a downspout and drains water using a siphon effect, executed by a computing circuit coupled to the display device and the input device; The display device First information used to identify a required flow rate, which is a flow rate that the piping system is required to achieve; Second information used to identify a first drainage capacity of the eaves gutter of the piping system; and Third information used to specify a second drainage capacity of the downspout when a siphon phenomenon is utilized in the piping system; displaying an input screen for inputting input information including Accepting input of the input information by the input device; and displaying, by the display device, an output screen presenting output information including the required number of downspouts in the piping system based on the required flow rate obtained from the input information and the lower of the first drainage capacity and the second drainage capacity. Design support method.

15. The design support method of claim 14 is performed by the arithmetic circuit, program.

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