Cooling mat, method for cooling outdoor unit of air conditioner, and method for cooling outdoor device

Abstract

To provide a cooling mat which can be easily installed and operated, and a cooling method of an outdoor apparatus.SOLUTION: The cooling mat 1 includes a filler 10 having water absorbency, and an exterior material 11 having water permeability and wrapping the filler 10. In the cooling method of the outdoor equipment, the cooling mat 1 is placed on, for example, an air conditioner outdoor unit 20 which is one of the outdoor equipment, rainwater is contained in the filler 10 in rainy weather, and the air conditioner outdoor unit 20 is cooled by evaporation heat of water evaporated from the filler 10 in fine weather or cloudy weather.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling mat that cools outdoor equipment using heat of vaporization, and a method for cooling outdoor equipment using the cooling mat. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in order to cool the top panel of an air conditioner outdoor unit, which is a type of outdoor equipment, using the heat of evaporation from a water supply sheet, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-138838 discloses a water-cooled adapter unit for an air conditioner outdoor unit, which cools the air conditioner outdoor unit by storing drain water in a water storage section of the unit base installed on the top surface of the air conditioner outdoor unit body, and allowing water dripping from a small hole leading from the water storage section to the bottom to soak into the sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-138838 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the drain pipe must be located near and above the outdoor unit so that the drain water falls onto the outdoor unit. This poses the problem of requiring piping work for existing outdoor units. Also, because rainwater cannot be effectively utilized, there is the problem that while the device can be used for devices that produce drain water, such as air conditioners, it cannot be used for devices that do not produce drain water.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling mat that can be easily installed and operated, and a method for cooling outdoor equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The cooling mat of the present invention is A filler having water absorption properties; and an exterior material that has water permeability and wraps the filler, The outdoor equipment is cooled by the heat of vaporization of water when the outdoor equipment is brought into contact with the water.

[0007] The cooling mat of the present invention is made of a combination of a water-absorbent filler and a water-permeable exterior material, allowing rainwater to accumulate inside the cooling mat. Therefore, simply by contacting the cooling mat with the exterior panel of outdoor equipment, the outdoor equipment can be cooled by evaporative cooling.

[0008] (2) A preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention is The filler is rock wool.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the cooling mat of the present invention, the filler is rock wool, which provides excellent durability and long-term use. Rock wool also has excellent sound absorption properties, making it possible to reduce noise from outdoor equipment.

[0010] (3) A preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention is The filler is rock wool, and when the rock wool is once wet and then immersed or sprayed with water from a dry state, the volumetric water content becomes 70% or more within 20 minutes.

[0011] A preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention can hold a relatively large amount of water, so that outdoor equipment can be continuously cooled with rainfall of about once a week, although this will depend on the operating location, climate, and other conditions.

[0012] (4) A preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention is The surface of the filler or the exterior material is coated with a photocatalyst.

[0013] According to a preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the growth of mold and moss on the filling material or the exterior material.

[0014] (5) A preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention is The bottom surface of the exterior material is water-impermeable.

[0015] According to a preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention, the bottom surface of the exterior material is water-impermeable, so that water that has soaked into the filler material can be prevented from flowing down.

[0016] (6) A preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention is A fastener is provided to fasten the exterior material to the outer panel.

[0017] (7) A preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention is The fastener is a magnet provided on the exterior material, and the magnet fastens the exterior material to the outer panel.

[0018] (8) A preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention is The fasteners are hook-and-loop fasteners provided on the exterior material and the outer panel, and the hook-and-loop fasteners fasten the exterior material to the outer panel.

[0019] (9) A preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention is The fastener is a belt-like member or a string-like member, and the exterior material is fixed to the outer plate by the belt-like member or the string-like member.

[0020] These preferred examples of the cooling mat of the present invention can prevent the cooling mat from falling off from the outdoor equipment.

[0021] (10) A preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention is An information detection device is provided in the filling material or the exterior material, which detects current location information and transmits the location information to a user's terminal device.

[0022] According to a preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention, the user can grasp the location of the cooling mat.

[0023] (11) A preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention is The outdoor equipment is any one of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, an outdoor unit of a freezer, an outdoor unit of a refrigerator, an air compressor, and a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility.

[0024] According to a preferred example of the cooling mat of the present invention, by using the cooling mat on outdoor equipment that generates heat, the temperature of the outdoor equipment can be reduced.

[0025] (12) The method for cooling outdoor equipment of the present invention comprises: A method for cooling outdoor equipment using the cooling mat, comprising: Place the cooling mat on the outdoor equipment, The filling material is soaked in rainwater during rainy weather, and the outdoor equipment is cooled by the heat of vaporization of the water evaporating from the filling material.

[0026] (13) The method for cooling outdoor equipment of the present invention comprises: A method for cooling outdoor equipment using the cooling mat, comprising: Bring the cooling mat into contact with the side of the outdoor equipment, The filler is soaked in rainwater during rainy weather, and when the filler dries, water is poured onto the filler, and the outdoor equipment is cooled by the heat of vaporization of the water evaporating from the filler.

[0027] According to the outdoor equipment cooling method of the present invention, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the cooling mat of the present invention described above.

[0028] (14) The method for cooling outdoor equipment of the present invention comprises: A method for cooling outdoor equipment using the cooling mat, comprising: The cooling mat is brought into contact with a side surface of the outdoor equipment, and a rain collector is placed on the top plate of the outdoor equipment; The rainwater collected by the rain collector during rainy weather is soaked in the filler, and the outdoor equipment is cooled by the heat of vaporization of the water evaporating from the filler.

[0029] According to the outdoor equipment cooling method of the present invention, even when the cooling mat is placed on the side of the outdoor equipment, a sufficient cooling effect can be obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] As described above, according to the cooling mat and the method for cooling outdoor equipment of the present invention, the cooling mat can be easily installed and used. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a cooling mat and a method for cooling outdoor equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are other diagrams illustrating a cooling mat and a method for cooling outdoor equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cooling mat. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the volumetric water content of a filler. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cooling mat according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a cooling method for outdoor equipment according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of the fixing device. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the cooling mat is installed on other outdoor equipment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the cooling mat installed on the roof of a building. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an information detection device. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for managing a cooling mat. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which cooling mats are displayed on a map in a cooling mat management method and cooling mat management system. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Embodiments of the cooling mat and outdoor equipment cooling method of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The outdoor equipment cooling method of the present invention is implemented using the cooling mat of the present invention. Here, the outdoor equipment refers to equipment installed outdoors, particularly equipment that generates heat during operation and for which lowering the temperature is beneficial. Examples of outdoor equipment include air conditioner outdoor units, refrigerator outdoor units, air compressors, and cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving equipment. Furthermore, although not outdoor equipment, it is also possible to cool the rooftop or roof of a building by laying the cooling mat of the present embodiment on the rooftop or roof to prevent indoor temperature increases. Furthermore, a cooling mat management method and a cooling mat management system for managing one or more cooling mats, preferably multiple cooling mats, are also proposed.

[0033] In the following description of the embodiments, the outdoor units 20, 120 and the air compressor 220 are mainly used as examples of outdoor equipment. When the cooling mat 1 is used with other outdoor equipment, the following air conditioner outdoor units 20, 120 and the air compressor 220 can be understood by replacing them with, for example, the outdoor unit of a freezer, the outdoor unit of a refrigerator, a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility, or simply outdoor equipment. The outdoor units 20, 120 may also be simply referred to as the "outdoor unit." Note that the piping and wiring connected to the outdoor units 20, 120 and the air compressor 220 are omitted from the description.

[0034] [First embodiment of cooling mat] First, we will explain the configuration of the cooling mat 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the cooling mat 1 of this embodiment is placed on (in contact with) a top plate 21 (outer plate) of an air conditioner outdoor unit 20, and cools the outdoor unit 20 using the heat of vaporization of water contained in the cooling mat 1. The cooling mat of this embodiment includes a filler 10, an exterior material 11, a fixing device (30) 31, and an information detection device 40.

[0035] The filler 10 is water-absorbent. Examples of such water-absorbent materials include various fibers in the form of cotton, mats, or fabrics, and sponges with numerous fine holes inside. The filler 10 preferably has a certain volume to store water, and is, for example, approximately 40 mm thick, 500 to 900 mm wide, and 250 mm deep. That is, the filler 10 of this embodiment has a volume of approximately 5 to 9 liters. However, the size of the cooling mat 1 including the filler 10 is not limited to this, and various sizes and shapes can be used.

[0036] In this embodiment, a mat of rock wool 10 is used as the filler 10. It is preferable that this rock wool has excellent water retention properties after it has absorbed water and dried. This is because rock wool generally has a high volumetric water content when new, but after it absorbs water and dries, the volumetric water content tends to decrease significantly. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, rock wool is used that, even when it is immersed in water or irrigated after it has absorbed water and is then dried, has a volumetric water content of 70% or more within 20 minutes.

[0037] Unlike typical sponges, the rock wool used in the cooling mat of this embodiment absorbs water, and once it is lifted, the water hardly falls off. Furthermore, unlike typical sponges, which tend to drip water even when left alone, the rock wool can continue to retain water. Applying this to the volume of the filler 10 (5 to 9 liters) and assuming a volumetric moisture content of 70%, the rock wool can hold 3.5 to 6.3 liters of water or more. However, the volumetric moisture content of 70% or more may decrease slightly with age. When new, this rock wool has a volumetric moisture content of 80 to 90%. For example, the Water Natural Mat by Minamide Co., Ltd. can be used as the rock wool used in this embodiment.

[0038] Returning to Figures 1 to 3, the surface of the filler 10 is coated with a photocatalyst to inhibit the growth of moss and mold. For example, a titanium oxide-based coating liquid is sprayed onto the surface of the filler 10 as this photocatalyst coating. Note that the surface of the filler 10 refers to the surface of the matted rock wool, not the surface of each individual fiber of the rock wool. Of course, it is also possible to coat the surface of each fiber individually with a photocatalyst during the production of the rock wool. Note that it is preferable to use a material for the exterior material 11 that transmits a certain amount of light. This transmitted light causes the photocatalyst coating applied to the surface of the filler 10 to act.

[0039] The exterior material 11 is water-permeable and encases the filler 10. This exterior material 11 allows water, such as rainwater, to pass through to absorb it into the filler 10, and allows moisture evaporating from the filler 10 to pass through. It also protects the filler 10 from direct sunlight and wind and rain, and transfers the heat of vaporization acting on the filler 10 to the top plate 21 of the outdoor unit 20. Various materials can be used for the exterior material 11 as long as they satisfy the above conditions, but in this embodiment, polypropylene nonwoven fabric is used. In addition, a photocatalytic coating can be applied to the surface of the exterior material 11.

[0040] The fastener 30 is attached to the exterior packaging material 11 or the outer panel 21 of the outdoor equipment 20, and fastens the exterior packaging material 11 (cooling mat 1) to the outdoor equipment 20. An example of this fastener 30 is a magnet 31 shown in FIG. 1. The magnet 31 is attached to the bottom surface of the exterior packaging material 11 and is fixed to the top surface 21 of the outdoor unit 20 by magnetic force. As another example of the fastener 30, as shown in FIG. 6, a belt-shaped member 32 or a string-shaped member can be attached to the exterior packaging material 11 or the side panel 123 (outer panel). Here, the cooling mat 1 and the outdoor equipment 120 are fastened by being wrapped around the belt-shaped member 32. Although not shown, the belt-shaped member may be sewn to the exterior packaging material 11. As another example of the fastener, as shown in FIG. 7, belt-shaped members 33 and 34 can be wrapped around the cooling mat 1 and the outdoor equipment 20, with hook-and-loop fasteners 35 and 36 attached to the opposing portions of the members. However, instead of using a belt-shaped member, one end of the hook-and-loop fastener may be attached to the bottom surface of the exterior material 11 and the other end may be attached to the top panel 21 of the outdoor unit 20. Note that, for example, D-rings (not shown) or the like are used to fasten the belt-shaped members 32, 33, 34 shown in Figures 6 and 7.

[0041] 1 to 3, the information detecting device 40 (shown by a dashed line) is provided between the exterior material 11 and the filler 10, or within the filler 10. The location where the information detecting device 40 is provided is preferably close to the bottom surface of the exterior material 11. This is because it allows for more accurate detection of the temperature near the outer panel 21 of the outdoor equipment. As shown in FIG. 10, the information detecting device 40 transmits information such as its current location to a user terminal device 43 using a telecommunications line 41, thereby notifying the user of the current location of the cooling mat 1. Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the information detecting device 40 has a built-in temperature sensor, which can also notify the user terminal device 43 of the current temperature.

[0042] [Second embodiment of cooling mat] Next, a cooling mat 101 according to another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The cooling mat 101 of this embodiment is placed on the top plate 21 (outer plate) of the air conditioner outdoor unit 20, and includes a filler 10 and an exterior material 111. The filler 10 is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] The exterior material 111 includes a top surface portion 112, a bottom surface portion 113, and a joint portion 114. The top surface portion 112 is the same as the exterior material 11 described in the first embodiment. The bottom surface portion 113 is made of a water-impermeable sheet-like member. The joint portion 114 is where the top surface portion 112 and the bottom surface portion 113 are joined. In this embodiment, the ends (left and right ends in FIG. 5 ) of the top surface portion 112 and the bottom surface portion 113 are bent upward or downward, respectively, and joined at approximately the center in the height direction. This allows water, such as rainwater, to accumulate up to the height of the joint portion 114. This is effective when a general sponge or the like is used for the filler 10. A general sponge or the like absorbs water, but the water falls off over time and dries out relatively quickly. In such a case, by collecting water in the bottom surface portion 113, the outdoor unit 20 can be cooled for a relatively long period of time.

[0044] Also, by changing the height of joint 114, it is possible to adjust the amount of water stored in exterior packaging material 111. Furthermore, by providing a side portion (not shown) independent of top surface portion 112 and bottom surface portion 113, making this side portion water-impermeable, and adjusting the height of the side portion, it is also possible to adjust the amount of water stored in exterior packaging material 111.

[0045] [First embodiment of cooling method for air conditioner outdoor unit] Next, a cooling method for an air conditioner outdoor unit according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. First, the cooling mat 1 (including the cooling mat 101) is placed on (in contact with) the top plate 21 of the air conditioner outdoor unit 20. At this time, it is preferable to fix the cooling mat 1 to the outdoor unit 20 with a fixture 30 or the like. It is also preferable that the size of the cooling mat 1 matches the size of the top plate 21 of the outdoor unit 20.

[0046] Next, if it is raining when the cooling mat 1 is placed on the outdoor unit 20, it may be left as is, but if not, it is preferable to first pour water over the cooling mat 1 to soak the filler 10 in water. After that, under normal weather conditions, it is sufficient to leave it as is. When it is raining, the filler 10 absorbs and holds the rainwater, and when it is sunny or cloudy, the heat of vaporization of the water evaporating from the filler 10 can cool the air conditioner outdoor unit 20. However, when there is a long period of sunny weather and the filler 10 is dry, it is preferable to water it artificially.

[0047] When the cooling mat 1 has dried to a certain extent, the upper side of the cooling mat in the height direction may be relatively dry, while the lower side may be wet with water. At this time, the upper side of the cooling mat 1 suppresses the temperature rise of outdoor equipment due to direct sunlight due to the insulating effect of the rock wool 10, and the lower side of the cooling mat can cool outdoor equipment using the heat of vaporization of the water still contained in the rock wool 10. This action allows outdoor equipment to be cooled efficiently even when the filler 10 contains little water.

[0048] Next, we will explain the results of a demonstration experiment using the cooling mat 1 according to the first embodiment. The experiment was conducted from July to September 2023 at JR Suma Station in Suma Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, and JR Kyoto Station in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooling mat 1 was placed on top of the outdoor unit 20, and the cooling mat 20 and the outdoor unit 20 were wrapped and secured with a polypropylene band (not shown). Immediately after installation, the cooling mat 1 was artificially watered. Once the filler 10 absorbed water, the cooling effect of the outdoor unit 20 continued for more than a week, so no artificial watering was performed thereafter. Furthermore, as a comparative example, two rooms, Room A and Room B, with the same size and installed items were prepared, and the experiment was conducted with the same type of air conditioner installed in each room.

[0049] First, we will explain the temperature reduction effect of the cooling mat 1. In this case, the temperature between the top plate 21 of the outdoor unit 20 and the cooling mat 1 was measured in the shade using a thermometer 22 (see Figure 2) while the air conditioner was off. It was confirmed that when the cooling mat 1 according to the first embodiment was placed on the outdoor unit 20 in a wet state, the temperature between the top plate 21 and the cooling mat 1 was 2 to 4°C lower than the ambient air temperature at that time. Next, regarding the energy-saving effect of the air conditioner, a comparison of the power consumption of air conditioners with and without the cooling mat 1 from July to September 2023 revealed a 30 to 60 percent reduction in power consumption. Furthermore, the indoor temperature drop immediately after turning on the air conditioner was also more pronounced than that of an air conditioner without the cooling mat 1. Similar results were reproduced when the room (air conditioner) using the cooling mat 1 was switched from Room A to Room B after about a week.

[0050] [Second embodiment of cooling method for air conditioner outdoor unit] Next, a cooling method for an air conditioner outdoor unit according to another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. First, the cooling mat 1 is brought into contact with the side surface (side plate 123) of the air conditioner outdoor unit 120. This is effective when the air outlet 124 of the outdoor unit 120 is on the upper surface. At this time, the cooling mat 1 can be fixed to the outdoor unit 120 with a strip-shaped member 32 of a fixing device 30 or the like. Furthermore, it is preferable that the size of the cooling mat 1 matches the size of the side plate 123 of the outdoor unit 120.

[0051] Next, while the cooling mat 1 is installed, it is sufficient for it to retain water due to rain or other factors. However, when the weather is dry, artificial watering is preferable as needed. This is because, in the cooling method for an air conditioner outdoor unit of this embodiment, the wide surface of the cooling mat 1 is vertical, and the filler material 10 (see FIG. 3) of the cooling mat 1 may not be able to retain water sufficiently unless rain is blowing obliquely or during heavy rain. However, if the air conditioner's drain pipe (not shown) is nearby, it is also possible to place the end of the drain pipe on top of the cooling mat 1 and use the drain water to retain water in the cooling mat 1 (the same applies to the "first embodiment of the cooling method for an air conditioner outdoor unit"). A rain collector 60 can also be attached to the top plate 121 of the outdoor unit 120. This rain collector 60 includes an upper plate 62 inclined toward the cooling mat and a vertical plate 61 that prevents rain from flowing in any direction other than the cooling mat 1. This rain collector 60 allows rainwater to flow in the direction of arrow a during rainy weather, allowing the filler material 10 of the cooling mat 1 to retain water.

[0052] Furthermore, when the cooling mat is installed with its wide surface oriented vertically as in this embodiment, a non-permeable bottom surface 213 can be provided at the bottom of the cooling mat 1. For example, when a general sponge or the like is used as the filler, the bottom surface 213 may be provided in a bag shape bounded by the dashed line dl. Then, on sunny or cloudy days, the air conditioner outdoor unit 120 can be cooled by the heat of vaporization of water evaporating from the filler 10. The bottom surface 213 may also be provided when the above-mentioned rock wool 10 is used as the filler 10.

[0053] [Air compressor cooling method] Next, referring to FIG. 8, an embodiment for cooling the air compressor 220 will be described. The air compressor 220 shown in this figure is installed outdoors in Ueno, Tokyo. The compressor of this air compressor 220 is driven by an electric motor. When the air compressor 220 is operating, air is compressed, generating high heat. This heat is discharged from the air outlet 224 (air outlet), but if the temperature rises to a certain level, there is a risk that the air compressor 220 will stop operating to protect the equipment. For this reason, in this embodiment, a cooling mat 1 is used to stabilize the operation of the air compressor 220.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 8 , three cooling mats 1 described above were placed side by side on the top plate 221 (outer plate) of the air compressor 220. The cooling mats 1 were initially watered, as in the above-described embodiment. The temperature of the air outlet 224 was measured using a thermographic camera while the air compressor 220 was running. The temperature of the air outlet 224 before the cooling mats 1 were installed was 96°C (measured on July 8, 2025). Next, when a cooling mat 1 was placed under the same conditions and measured, the temperature of the air outlet 224 dropped to 86°C. Furthermore, on July 8, 2025, the maximum temperature in central Tokyo rose to 35.8°C, but the surface temperature of the cooling mat 1 was 30.6°C, a few degrees lower than the ambient temperature, while the air compressor 220 was running.

[0055] [Building cooling methods] Next, a method for cooling a building 50 will be described with reference to Figure 9. Here, a plurality of the above-described cooling mats 1 are laid on the rooftop 51 of the building 50 to cool the rooftop 51. This is because, due to the recent issues of global warming and recommendations for energy conservation, it is desirable to suppress the rise in indoor temperature in the summer. As a result, by lowering the temperature of the rooftop 51 or the roof (not shown), it becomes possible to suppress the rise in indoor temperature.

[0056] When installing this cooling mat 1 on the rooftop 51, it is preferable to prevent the cooling mat 1 from scattering, for example, by using the fixing device 30 described above or by placing a weight (not shown) on the cooling mat 1. However, since the cooling mat 1 of this embodiment has a volumetric water content of 70% or more and becomes somewhat heavy after absorbing water for about a week, it is unlikely to scatter under normal weather conditions. Although not shown, as another embodiment, it can also be installed on a sloping roof. Even in this case, the cooling mat 1 of this embodiment retains water within the filler material rather than dripping like a regular sponge, thereby maintaining its cooling performance. Furthermore, when the cooling mat 1 is installed on a rooftop or other roof, even if the filler material 10 dries out during a period of sunny weather, the cooling mat 1 itself blocks sunlight and acts as an insulator, lowering the temperature of the rooftop 51 or roof. Therefore, there is no need for watering or other such tasks, and once the cooling mat 1 is laid, it can suppress indoor temperature increases with almost no maintenance.

[0057] [How to care for the cooling mat] Next, a cooling mat management method using an information detection device 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. This is because, as the number of cooling mats 1 increases, managing information such as their installation locations, target devices, current temperatures, current locations, and replacement times becomes cumbersome. Even if there is only one cooling mat 1, managing its temperature and other information has the advantage of reducing daily labor. Furthermore, by using the cooling mat management method of this embodiment, it becomes possible to grasp information about each cooling mat 1 on a terminal device 43 owned by the user. The cooling mat management method of this embodiment is performed using a computer or the like. That is, the cooling mat management method is executed by the computer or the like functioning as a cooling mat management system.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 10, the cooling mat management system is configured with a cooling mat 1 equipped with an information detection device 40, a telecommunications line 41, a user's terminal device 43, and software (not shown) for operating the system. In this system, the information detection device 40 and the telecommunications line 41 may be directly connected, or short-range wireless communication 42 capable of communication within a range of several tens of meters may be used to access a terminal device 143 owned by another person staying nearby and connect to the telecommunications line 41 via that other person's terminal device 143. In this case, the other person's terminal device 143 is also included in the system configuration. Furthermore, the cooling mat management system may be configured to include a server or the like as needed, or the number of user terminal devices 43 may be increased to multiple units.

[0059] Next, referring to Fig. 11, a table including information such as current location and temperature sent from information detection device 40 to user terminal device 43 via telecommunications line 41 will be described. The table shown in Fig. 11 includes items such as group ID, mat ID, installation location, detailed location, target device, temperature, watering, current location, theft alarm, installation date, and replacement date. This table is displayed on the screen of terminal device 43, such as a computer, tablet terminal, or smartphone, which is operated or viewed by the user.

[0060] In this embodiment, the group ID is a grouping of cooling mats that are installed in the same location and have similar or nearby installation environments. For example, the group ID "G1" groups all cooling mats installed on the south side of the first factory. However, it is also possible to create higher and lower levels of group IDs to create a multi-level hierarchy. For example, offices in Suzuka City and offices in Nagoya City could each be grouped together in a higher-level group, or mat IDs with the same installation environment could be divided into lower-level groups based on the time of installation.

[0061] The mat ID is an ID assigned to each individual cooling mat. Each information detection device also has an individual ID, and the mat ID and the information detection device ID are linked.

[0062] The installation location and detailed location are installation information that indicate which cooling mat is installed in which location. For example, it can be seen that the mat ID "M1" is installed on the "south side" of the "first factory." Note that in this embodiment, the detailed locations are divided into the south side and the north side, which have different climatic conditions, but this is not limited to this and may be divided into the first floor and the second floor of a building, for example.

[0063] The target equipment indicates what kind of outdoor equipment the cooling mat is used for. Here, it is divided into air conditioners 20, compressors 220 (air compressors), and buildings 50 (see Figure 12).

[0064] The temperature is the current temperature of the cooling mat 1 that is measured and reported. When the cooling mat 1 contains water, it is cooled by the heat of evaporation and reaches a relatively low temperature. On the other hand, when the cooling mat is dry, cooling by the heat of evaporation is not possible, and the temperature rises due to the heat of the air conditioner outdoor unit 20, etc. When this temperature reaches a predetermined value or higher, it becomes possible to determine whether the cooling mat 1 contains water or is dry. Note that the temperatures shown in FIG. 11 are examples and differ from the actual temperatures.

[0065] The watering function predicts the dryness of the cooling mat 1 based on the current temperature of the cooling mat 1 and notifies the user whether watering is recommended. In this example, the temperature of the mat ID "M9" has risen to 65°C, and watering is recommended. This is indicated by displaying "Required" in the corresponding cell (reference symbol c1) in Figure 11 as an alarm. Furthermore, in the map 44 shown in Figure 12, the frame of "M9" is hatched to indicate the alarm. In this example, a cooling mat (mat ID "M8"), which is installed in a similar environment on the south side of the administration building 50, is grouped under the same group ID "G4." Therefore, it is clear that preventative watering is also recommended for the other mat ID "M8" belonging to group ID "G4." This preventative watering warning can also be issued by, for example, changing the color of the "Watering" cell in the record for mat ID "M8." The cooling mat 1 with mat ID "M11" is installed on the roof 51 of a building 50 that does not generate heat itself, and acts as an insulator when dry, so watering is basically unnecessary.

[0066] The current location indicates the current location of the cooling mat 1. All of the cooling mats 1 shown in the table in Figure 11 are originally installed at business locations in Suzuka City, but it can be seen that the mat with ID "M5" is located in Tsu City. This indicates that the cooling mat 1 may have been stolen. Furthermore, if the cooling mat 1 is stolen, the current location of the cooling mat 1 can be known. As described above, a theft alarm is issued when the cooling mat 1 is far from its original installation location and there is a possibility that it has been stolen. Here, the relevant cell (symbol c2) in Figure 11 is set to "Yes" to indicate a theft alarm. Furthermore, on the map 44 shown in Figure 12, the mat ID "M5" is hatched to indicate that a theft alarm has been issued. Furthermore, although not shown, the current location of the mat ID for which a theft alarm has been issued can also be displayed on the map.

[0067] The installation and replacement periods are set to manage the timing, for example, because it is preferable to replace the cooling mat 1 with a new one about five years after installation. Here too, for mat IDs that are past the replacement period, a warning can be issued to urge replacement, for example, by changing the color of the cell or by hatching the mat ID on the map shown in Figure 12.

[0068] Furthermore, to facilitate linking the information detecting device 40 and the cooling mat 1, an information code (not shown) including a two-dimensional code such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) can be attached to the surface of each cooling mat 1. This information code records information such as the individual ID of the information detecting device. Reading this information code with a terminal device 43 such as a user's smartphone facilitates linking the information detecting device 40 and the cooling mat 1. Alternatively, an information code can be attached to each outdoor device, and the cooling mat 1 can be linked to the outdoor device by reading the information code attached to the outdoor device with the terminal device 43 when the cooling mat 1 is installed. Furthermore, by recording the location of the outdoor device in the information code attached to the outdoor device, the installation location and detailed location of the cooling mat 1 can be automatically added simply by linking the cooling mat 1 to the outdoor device.

[0069] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, the installation location of each mat ID can be shown on a map 44. This map 44 is a simplified representation of the business site, but it can also be displayed on an actual map. Here, when the cursor 45 is moved over an individual mat ID or an operation such as tapping is performed, information about each mat ID pops up in a speech bubble. For example, when the cursor 45 is placed over mat ID "M9," information such as the mat ID, current temperature, whether or not watering is required, and when to replace it is displayed. Here, mat ID "M9" requires watering, so it is displayed with hatching as a warning. Furthermore, mat ID "M5" is not in its installation location and may have been stolen, so it is also displayed with hatching to issue a warning.

[0070] It is not necessary to incorporate a temperature sensor into all information detection devices 40. Instead, a single temperature sensor can be incorporated for each group ID with a similar installation location environment, with the other information detection devices 40 transmitting only location information. This is because, if the outdoor devices are operating in the same state, the moisture content of the cooling mats 1 is likely to change in the same way depending on the installation location environment. Furthermore, when installing cooling mats on the rooftop 51 or roof of a building 50, there is essentially no need to worry about theft. In this case, an information detection device 40 equipped only with a temperature sensor can be attached. Furthermore, since the entire rooftop 51 of a building 50 has a substantially uniform environment, it may be sufficient to install an information detection device 40 in only one of the multiple cooling mats 1. If the cooling mats 1 are installed on a roof, one information detection device 40 may be installed on each side of the roof, such as the south side or the north side, depending on the slope of the roof.

[0071] As described above, the cooling mat according to the first embodiment can quickly absorb a large amount of rainwater during rainfall. Furthermore, once the water is absorbed, it can be retained without dripping. This eliminates the need for water replenishment for a long period of time, approximately one week, and allows outdoor equipment to be cooled without any additional effort under normal weather conditions.

[0072] Furthermore, the rock wool mat used in the first embodiment is composed of fine fibers and has excellent water retention. Therefore, the water contained therein is easily dispersed throughout the mat by capillary action, and the surface of the filler material also becomes wet. Furthermore, because the rock wool mat is entirely composed of fibers, it has a large surface area and easily obtains the heat of vaporization. This allows outdoor equipment to be cooled effectively. Even if all the water contained in the filler material evaporates and the filler material dries, rock wool has excellent insulating properties, so it can be expected to be effective in suppressing the temperature rise of outdoor equipment, rooftops, etc. due to direct sunlight.

[0073] Furthermore, the cooling mat according to the second embodiment can use not only the rock wool, which has an excellent volumetric moisture content and is used in the cooling mat according to the first embodiment, but also other fillers. In this embodiment, water can be stored in the exterior material, so there is no need to replenish water for a long period of time.

[0074] Furthermore, the cooling method for the outdoor unit of an air conditioner described above eliminates the need for artificial watering and other laborious tasks, and power saving effects can be achieved simply by contacting the cooling mat with the outdoor unit.

[0075] Furthermore, the building cooling method is a simple way to prevent the temperature from rising inside the building, and even if the cooling mat dries out due to continuous sunny weather, the high insulating effect will still prevent the temperature from rising inside the building.

[0076] Furthermore, the cooling mat management method allows for the location, temperature, replacement time, and theft of cooling mats to be managed, ensuring reliable operation of cooling mats in places where many mats are used, such as offices. Furthermore, knowing when to water the mats prevents them from drying out.

[0077] The above-described cooling mat, the method for cooling outdoor equipment including an air conditioner outdoor unit and an air compressor, the method for cooling a building, and the method for managing a cooling mat are examples of the present invention, and their configurations can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1,101··Cooling mat, 10··Filling material (rock wool), 11,111··Outer material, 112··Top surface, 113,213··Bottom surface, 114··Joint, 20,120··Air conditioner outdoor unit, 220··Air compressor, 21,121,221··Top plate (outer plate), 22··Thermometer, 123··Side plate, 124,224··Air outlet, 30·· Fixing device, 31·· Magnet, 32, 33, 34·· Strip-shaped member, 35, 36·· Hook-and-loop fastener, 40··Information detection equipment, 41··Telecommunication lines, 42··Short-range wireless communication, 43,143··Terminal equipment, 44··Map, 45··Cursor, 50··Building, 51··Rooftop, 60··Rain collector, 61··Vertical plate, 62··Upper plate,

Claims

1. A filler having water absorption properties; and an exterior material that has water permeability and wraps the filler, A cooling mat that is brought into contact with outdoor equipment and cools the outdoor equipment using the heat of vaporization of water.

2. 2. The cooling mat of claim 1, wherein the filler is rock wool.

3. 2. The cooling mat of claim 1, wherein the filler is rock wool, and when the rock wool is once wet and then immersed or sprayed with water from a dry state, the volumetric water content of the rock wool becomes 70% or more within 20 minutes.

4. 2. The cooling mat according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the filler or the exterior material is coated with a photocatalyst.

5. 2. The cooling mat according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the outer covering is water-impermeable.

6. The cooling mat according to claim 1 , further comprising a fastener for fastening the exterior material to the outer panel.

7. 7. The cooling mat according to claim 6, wherein the fastener is a magnet provided on the exterior material, and the magnet fastens the exterior material to the outer plate.

8. 7. The cooling mat according to claim 6, wherein the fasteners are hook-and-loop fasteners provided on the exterior material and the outer plate, and the hook-and-loop fasteners fasten the exterior material to the outer plate.

9. The cooling mat according to claim 6, wherein the fastener is a belt-like member or a string-like member, and the exterior material is fixed to the outer plate by the belt-like member or the string-like member.

10. The cooling mat according to claim 1 , wherein the filling material or the exterior material is provided with an information detection device that detects current location information and transmits the location information to a user's terminal device.

11. 2. The cooling mat according to claim 1, wherein the outdoor equipment is any one of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, an outdoor unit of a freezer, an outdoor unit of a refrigerator, an air compressor, and a cubicle-type high-voltage power receiving facility.

12. A method for cooling outdoor equipment using the cooling mat according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: Place the cooling mat on the outdoor equipment, A method for cooling outdoor equipment, comprising: soaking the filler in rainwater during rainy weather; and cooling the outdoor equipment with the heat of vaporization of the water evaporating from the filler.

13. A method for cooling outdoor equipment using the cooling mat according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: Bring the cooling mat into contact with the side of the outdoor equipment, A method for cooling outdoor equipment, characterized in that rainwater is soaked in the filler when it rains, and when the filler dries, water is poured onto the filler, and the outdoor equipment is cooled by the heat of vaporization of the water evaporating from the filler.

14. A method for cooling outdoor equipment using the cooling mat according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: The cooling mat is brought into contact with a side surface of the outdoor equipment, and a rain collector is placed on the top plate of the outdoor equipment; A method for cooling outdoor equipment, comprising: soaking the filler in rainwater collected by the rain collector during rainy weather; and cooling the outdoor equipment with the heat of vaporization of the water evaporating from the filler.

Images