Local air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide a local air conditioning system capable of performing proper air conditioning when a part of electronic equipment is reversely installed.SOLUTION: The local air conditioning system 1 includes a rack 2 having an accommodation space 21 for accommodating a plurality of electronic devices 3 stacked and arranged in a vertical direction and a top plate 23 arranged on the accommodation space 21, and an exhaust device 5 installed on the top plate 23, wherein a vent hole 23A penetrating in the vertical direction is provided in a region on one side in the front-rear direction of the rack 2 from the center of the top plate 23, and the exhaust device 5 air in the accommodation space 21 through the vent hole 23A and exhausts the sucked air to the outside of the rack 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a local air-conditioning system that conditions the air around a rack that houses multiple electronic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, server rooms in data centers and the like are equipped with multiple racks that house multiple electronic devices stacked vertically, and an air conditioning system is used to control the temperature of the electronic devices by conditioning the air inside the server room (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the air conditioning system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a cold aisle is defined behind the racks and a hot aisle is defined in front of the racks by a group of racks arranged in multiple rows. Cold air sent from an air conditioner flows into the cold aisle via the underfloor space, and electronic devices cool their interiors by taking in the cold air from the cold aisle and exchanging heat. Warm air discharged from the electronic devices flows into the hot aisle, and the warm air in the hot aisle is sent to the air conditioner to be cooled, and then sent back to the cold aisle. In addition, a temperature sensor is installed behind the racks, and the air conditioner is controlled based on the detection results of the temperature sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-002590 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In conventional air conditioning systems such as those described in Patent Document 1 above, in order to maintain appropriate temperatures in the hot aisle and cold aisle sections, it is desirable that the orientations of the intake surfaces for cold air and the exhaust surfaces for warm air be aligned among multiple electronic devices.

[0006] However, for various reasons, such as a lack of awareness on the part of the installer or convenience in the wiring design, some of the electronic devices installed in a rack (especially the switching hub installed on the top shelf of the rack) may be installed facing the opposite direction to the other electronic devices.Even if an electronic device facing the opposite direction is discovered after installation, if the service provided via the electronic device has already begun, it is difficult to correct the installation direction by plugging and unplugging the wiring.

[0007] The present invention provides a local air-conditioning system that can perform appropriate air conditioning even when some electronic devices are installed upside down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] [1] A local air conditioning system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a rack having a storage space for accommodating a plurality of electronic devices stacked in the vertical direction and a top plate arranged above the storage space, and an exhaust device installed on the top plate, wherein an air vent penetrating in the vertical direction is provided in an area on one side of the rack in the front-to-rear direction from the center of the top plate, and the exhaust device draws in air from within the storage space through the air vent and exhausts the drawn-in air to the outside of the rack.

[0009] [2] The local air conditioning system according to [1] above further comprises an airflow control member that is installed on a part of the side of the rack facing one side in the front-to-rear direction and that suppresses ventilation in the front-to-rear direction, and it is preferable that the airflow control member is positioned so as to face the electronic device that is positioned on the top row among the plurality of electronic devices.

[0010] [3] In the above [1], it is preferable that the exhaust device comprises a duct connected to the air vent and extending above the top plate, and a fan that exhausts the air drawn in through the duct to the other side in the front-to-rear direction.

[0011] [4] Preferably, the local air-conditioning system according to [3] above further comprises an airflow guide plate installed on the top plate so as to face the fan.

[0012] [5] In the above [1], it is preferable that the exhaust device comprises a first duct connected to the air vent and extending above the top plate, an air cooler that cools the air drawn in through the first duct, and a second duct that discharges the cold air exhausted from the air cooler into the space on the other side of the rack in the front-to-rear direction.

[0013] [6] It is preferable that the local air conditioning system according to [5] above further comprises a spare air cooler installed on the top plate, and that the spare air cooler draws in air from outside the rack, cools the drawn-in air, and exhausts it to the second duct.

[0014] [7] In the above item [6], it is preferable that the auxiliary air cooler is compatible with the air cooler.

[0015] [8] It is preferable that the local air conditioning system according to [5] above further comprises a sub-cooler installed on the top plate, which draws in air from outside the rack and cools and exhausts the air, and a third duct which discharges the cool air exhausted from the sub-cooler toward one side in the front-to-rear direction relative to the rack. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view schematically showing a local air-conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view schematically showing a local air-conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a rack that is part of the server room air conditioning system. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a rack in which some electronic devices are installed upside down. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a local air-conditioning system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing a local air-conditioning system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] [First embodiment] 1 and 2 are diagrams showing a local air-conditioning system 1 according to a first embodiment. The local air-conditioning system 1 according to this embodiment is suitable for use together with an air-conditioning system (hereinafter referred to as a server room air-conditioning system) that is installed in a server room of a data center or the like and performs overall air-conditioning for the server room, although this is not particularly limited.

[0018] (Server room air conditioning system) Before describing the local air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, a server room air-conditioning system will be briefly described first.

[0019] The server room air conditioning system can be a conventional system. For example, a server room air conditioning system includes a group of racks that divide the server room into a hot aisle and a cold aisle, an air conditioner and air duct that draws in warm air from the hot aisle and sends cool air to the cold aisle, and a temperature sensor installed on each rack. The air conditioner is controlled based on the detection results of the temperature sensor to maintain the temperature in the cold aisle within a predetermined range (for example, 24±2 degrees).

[0020] The cold aisle receives cool air from the air conditioner via an air passage in the underfloor space of the server room, while the warm air from the hot aisle is drawn into the air conditioner via an air passage in the ceiling space of the server room.

[0021] 3 illustrates an arbitrary rack 2 among a group of racks installed in a server room. In the following description, the front-to-rear direction of the rack 2 is defined as the X direction, the width direction of the rack 2 is defined as the Y direction, and the up-down direction of the rack 2 is defined as the Z direction.

[0022] According to the server room air conditioning system described above, a hot aisle HI is formed on one side (for example, the +X side) of the rack 2 in the front-to-rear direction shown in Fig. 3, and a cold aisle CI is formed on the other side (for example, the -X side) of the rack 2 in the front-to-rear direction. Note that a grating 11 is installed on the floor on the -X side of the rack 2, and cold air flows in from the air conditioner through this grating 11 (see arrow R1). Also, a temperature sensor 12 of the server room air conditioning system is installed on the upper end of a side portion 22 on the -X side of the rack 2.

[0023] The rack 2 has a storage space 21 that stores multiple electronic devices 3 stacked in the vertical direction (Z direction), and a top plate 23 that is arranged above the storage space 21. The specific configuration of the rack 2 is not particularly limited. For example, the rack 2 only needs to have a support mechanism that can support the electronic devices 3 in the storage space 21 and allow ventilation between the outside of the rack 2 and the storage space 21 in the front-to-back direction of the rack 2 (X direction).

[0024] The plurality of electronic devices 3 housed in the rack 2 includes a plurality of servers 3A and a switching hub 3B connected to the plurality of servers 3A. In this embodiment, the switching hub 3B is disposed above the plurality of servers 3A (i.e., on the top level of the plurality of electronic devices 3). Note that, although FIG. 3 schematically illustrates four servers 3A and one switching hub 3B as the plurality of electronic devices 3, the number of these is not particularly limited.

[0025] Each electronic device 3 has an internal fan that draws in and exhausts air in one direction. That is, each electronic device 3 has an intake surface 31 that draws in air and an exhaust surface 32 that faces the opposite side to the intake surface 31 and exhausts air.

[0026] In the multiple electronic devices 3 housed in the rack 2, the intake surface 31 and the exhaust surface 32 are basically aligned. Specifically, the intake surface 31 of each electronic device 3 is arranged to face the -X side of the rack 2, and the exhaust surface 32 of each electronic device 3 is arranged to face the +X side of the rack 2. Therefore, each electronic device 3 takes in cool air from the cold aisle CI (see arrow R2) and performs heat exchange with the taken-in cool air, thereby preventing internal overheating. Furthermore, each electronic device 3 exhausts warm air heated inside the electronic device 3 toward the hot aisle HI (see arrow R3).

[0027] However, irregularities may occur in the basic arrangement of the multiple electronic devices 3 described above. Specifically, for various reasons, such as a lack of awareness on the part of the installer or convenience in the wiring design, a switching hub 3B, which is one of the multiple electronic devices 3 housed in a rack 2, may be installed facing in the opposite direction to a server 3A, which is another electronic device 3, as shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the intake surface 31 of the switching hub 3B is arranged to face the +X side of the rack 2, and the exhaust surface 32 of the switching hub 3B is arranged to face the -X side of the rack 2. For this reason, the switching hub 3B takes in warm air from the hot aisle HI (see arrow R4) and exhausts the further heated warm air toward the cold aisle CI (see arrow R5).

[0028] If the switching hub 3B is installed in the reverse direction as described above, the warm air exhausted from the switching hub 3B will flow into the cold aisle CI, which may result in the server 3A near the switching hub 3B not being cooled properly.

[0029] Furthermore, if the warm air exhausted from the switching hub 3B flows toward the temperature sensor 12 installed in the rack 2, a temperature higher than the actual temperature in the cold aisle CI will be detected. As a result, the data room air conditioning system will not be able to appropriately control the air conditioner based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 12, and excessively cold air may be discharged.

[0030] As described above, if the switching hub 3B is installed facing backwards, it becomes difficult to perform appropriate air conditioning using only the data room air conditioning system.

[0031] (Local air conditioning system 1) The local air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment is a system that can solve the problem caused by the above-mentioned reversed switching hub 3B. That is, if a rack 2 in which a switching hub 3B is installed reversely is found in a server room in which a server room air-conditioning system is installed, the above-mentioned problem can be solved by selectively installing the local air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment for this rack 2. The local air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the local air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment includes the above-mentioned rack 2, an airflow control member 4 installed on a part of the side 22 of the rack 2, and an exhaust device 5 and an airflow guide plate 6 installed on the top plate 23.

[0033] As described above, the rack 2 has a storage space 21 that houses multiple electronic devices 3 stacked in the Z direction, and a top plate 23 that is arranged above the storage space 21. In the following description, it is assumed that the electronic device 3 arranged on the topmost level of the multiple electronic devices 3 housed in the storage space 21 is a switching hub 3B facing in the opposite direction.

[0034] Ventilation hole 23A penetrating in the Z direction is provided in an area on the -X side of the center of top plate 23 (specifically, an area on the -X side of the center of top plate 23 in the X direction). Ventilation hole 23A is preferably provided on the -X side of exhaust surface 32 of switching hub 3B. Furthermore, although there are no particular limitations on the dimensions of ventilation hole 23A in the X and Y directions, it is preferable that the Y direction dimension of ventilation hole 23A be larger than the Y direction dimension of switching hub 3B.

[0035] The airflow control member 4 may be any member that suppresses the passage of airflow in the X direction, and may be, for example, a plate-shaped member such as a blank panel or a brush panel. This airflow control member 4 is provided on the side 22 of the rack 2 so as to face the electronic device 3 (i.e., the inverted switching hub 3B) placed on the top row. The dimensions of the airflow control member 4 in the Y and Z directions are not particularly limited, but it is preferable that it overlaps with the exhaust surface 32 of the switching hub 3B when viewed in the X direction. Furthermore, it is preferable that there is a gap between the airflow control member 4 and the exhaust surface 32 of the switching hub 3B that is large enough to allow warm air exhausted from the exhaust surface 32 to flow to the air vent 23A.

[0036] The exhaust device 5 is a device that draws in air from the storage space 21 through the ventilation holes 23A of the top plate 23 and exhausts the drawn-in air to the outside of the rack 2. The exhaust device 5 includes a duct 51 that is connected to the ventilation holes 23A and extends above the top plate 23, and a plurality of fans 52 that exhaust the air drawn in through the duct 51 in the +X direction. The duct 51 has a bend of, for example, 90 degrees, and allows the air flowing in from the air vent 23A to flow to the fan 52. The multiple fans 52 are arranged along the Y direction on the top plate 23. The arrangement range of the multiple fans 52 in the Y direction is preferably equal to or greater than the arrangement range of the air vents 23A in the Y direction. Each fan 52 creates an air flow in the X direction.

[0037] The airflow guiding plate 6 is a plate-shaped member that stands on the top plate 23. The airflow guiding plate 6 is provided on the top plate 23 so as to face the fans 52 with a gap between them. The Y-direction dimension of the airflow guiding plate 6 is preferably equal to or greater than the Y-direction arrangement range of the multiple fans 52. Furthermore, with regard to the height in the Z direction from the top plate 23, the height of the airflow guiding plate 6 is preferably higher than that of the fans 52.

[0038] In the local air-conditioning system 1 described above, warm air exhausted from the exhaust surface 32 of the inverted switching hub 3B is taken into the exhaust device 5 through the vent holes in the top panel 23 and is exhausted outside the rack 2 (see arrow R6 in FIG. 1). The warm air exhausted outside the rack 2 collides with the air flow guide plate 6 and flows further upward (see arrow R7 in FIG. 1), and is taken into the intake port of the data room air-conditioning system installed on the ceiling of the server room.

[0039] (Effects of the first embodiment) As described above, the local air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment comprises a rack 2 and an exhaust device 5 installed on the top plate 23 of the rack 2, and an air vent 23A penetrating in the Z direction is provided in the area on the -X side of the center of the top plate 23, and the exhaust device 5 draws in air from the storage space 21 of the rack 2 through the air vent 23A and exhausts the drawn-in air to the outside of the rack 2.

[0040] According to the local air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, even when the switching hub 3B is installed in the reverse direction, it is possible to prevent the warm air exhausted from the switching hub 3B from flowing into the cold aisle CI. Therefore, even the server 3A near the switching hub 3B can be appropriately cooled.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the local air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, when the switching hub 3B is installed in the reverse direction, it is possible to prevent the warm air exhausted from the switching hub 3B from heading toward the temperature sensor 12 installed in the rack 2. This allows the data room air-conditioning system to appropriately control the air conditioner based on the sensing results of the temperature sensor 12. This makes it possible to prevent an unnecessary increase in power consumption by the data room air-conditioning system.

[0042] When the cold aisle CI of the server room is used as an aisle, it is desirable to install the temperature sensor 12 at the upper end of the rack 2 to avoid contact with passersby. Therefore, the switching hub 3B placed on the top shelf of the plurality of electronic devices 3 is likely to be located at approximately the same height as the temperature sensor 12 placed at the upper end of the rack 2. Therefore, according to the local air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to suitably suppress the adverse effects on the temperature sensor 12 caused by the exhaust air from the switching hub 3B without changing the installation height of the temperature sensor 12.

[0043] Furthermore, the local air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment may be installed on racks 2 in which the switching hub 3B is installed facing inversely, among the group of racks that constitute the data room air-conditioning system. In other words, the local air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment may be installed only on the necessary racks 2, thereby reducing installation costs. Furthermore, according to the local air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, there is no need to reinstall the switching hub 3B that is installed in the opposite direction, so appropriate air conditioning can be achieved without interrupting services via the switching hub 3B.

[0044] The local air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment is further provided with an airflow control member 4 that is installed on a part of the side 22 of the rack 2 facing the -X side and that suppresses the passage of airflow in the X direction, and the airflow control member 4 is positioned so as to face the electronic device 3 (i.e., the switching hub 3B) that is positioned on the topmost level of the multiple electronic devices 3. According to this configuration, when the switching hub 3B is installed in the reverse direction, the flow of warm air exhausted from the switching hub 3B in the −X direction is blocked by the airflow control member 4. This makes it possible to suitably prevent the warm air exhausted from the switching hub 3B from flowing into the cold aisle CI or directly hitting the temperature sensor 12.

[0045] The exhaust device 5 of this embodiment includes a duct 51 connected to the vent hole 23A and extending above the top plate 23, and a fan 52 that exhausts the air taken in through the duct 51 in the +X direction. With this configuration, the exhaust device 5 can be suitably installed on the top plate 23 of the rack 2. Furthermore, since the exhaust air from the exhaust device 5 can be exhausted toward the hot aisle HI, the influence on the cold aisle CI and the temperature sensor 12 can be suitably suppressed.

[0046] The local air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment further includes an airflow guide plate 6 that is installed on the top plate 23 so as to face the fan 52. According to this configuration, when the air intake of the server room air conditioning system is installed on the ceiling, the warm air exhausted from the exhaust device 5 is suitably taken into the air intake.

[0047] [Second embodiment] 5 and 6 are diagrams showing a local air-conditioning system 1A of the second embodiment. Like the first embodiment, the local air-conditioning system 1A of this embodiment is installed in a server room of a data center or the like, and is suitable for use together with a server room air-conditioning system.

[0048] The local air-conditioning system 1A of this embodiment includes a rack 2, an airflow control member 4 installed on a part of a side portion 22 of the rack 2, and an exhaust device 7 installed on the top plate 23. In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for the same components as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0049] Similar to the exhaust device 5 of the first embodiment, the exhaust device 7 is a device that draws in air from the storage space 21 through the ventilation holes 23A in the top plate 23 and exhausts the drawn-in air to the outside of the rack 2. This exhaust device 7 includes a first duct 71 that is connected to the ventilation holes 23A and extends above the top plate 23, a plurality of air coolers 72 that cool the air drawn in through the first duct 71 and exhaust it, and a second duct 73 that discharges the air exhausted from the plurality of air coolers 72 into a space on the +X side of the rack 2.

[0050] The first duct 71 has a bend of, for example, 90 degrees, and allows the air flowing in from the air vent 23A to flow to the air cooler 72.

[0051] The multiple air coolers 72 are arranged in the Y direction on the top panel 23. The air coolers 72 cool the air while forming an air flow in the X direction. The specific configuration of the air coolers 72 is not particularly limited. The principle of cooling the air by the air coolers 72 can be the same as that of a general portable cooler. For example, air cooler 72 includes a cold air intake port 721 connected to first duct 71, a cold air exhaust port 722 connected to second duct 73, a fan 723 that exhausts air taken in through cold air intake port 721 from cold air exhaust port 722, and a cooler 724 that cools the air before it is exhausted from cold air exhaust port 722 (see FIG. 5). Although not shown, air cooler 72 also includes a compressor that circulates refrigerant gas used in cooler 724, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant gas, and refrigerant intake and exhaust ports that intake and exhaust air for condensing the refrigerant gas. The refrigerant intake and exhaust ports may be provided on any side surface of the air cooler (for example, the side surface facing the +Z direction).

[0052] The second duct 73 has a bend of, for example, 90 degrees, and circulates the cool air discharged from the multiple air coolers 72. The second duct 73 has an air outlet 73A that blows the cool air in the -Z direction into the space on the +X side of the rack 2.

[0053] The local air-conditioning system 1A of this embodiment further includes an auxiliary air cooler 74, a sub-air cooler 75, and a third duct 76, which are installed on the top panel 23 (see FIG. 6). The auxiliary air cooler 74 and the sub-air cooler 75 have the same configuration as the above-described air cooler 72, and are interchangeable with the air cooler 72.

[0054] The auxiliary air cooler 74 is arranged alongside the multiple air coolers 72 in the Y direction. A cold air intake port 741 of the auxiliary air cooler 74 faces the -X direction and is able to draw in air from outside the rack 2 through the cold air intake port 741. In addition, a cold air exhaust port 742 of the auxiliary air cooler 74 faces the +X direction and is connected to the second duct 73 together with each of the cold air exhaust ports 722 of the multiple air coolers 72. This auxiliary air cooler 74 draws in air from outside the rack 2, cools the air, and exhausts it to the second duct 73.

[0055] The sub-air cooler 75 is arranged alongside the first duct 71 in the Y direction. This sub-air cooler 75 is preferably arranged overlapping the temperature sensor 12 in the X direction. A cold air intake port 751 of the sub-air cooler 75 faces the +X direction and is able to draw in air from outside the rack 2 through the cold air intake port 751. In addition, a cold air exhaust port 752 of the sub-air cooler 75 faces the -X direction and is connected to the third duct 76. This sub-air cooler 75 draws in air from outside the rack 2, cools the air, and exhausts it to the third duct 76.

[0056] The third duct 76 has a bend of, for example, 90 degrees, and circulates the cold air discharged from the cold air exhaust port 752 of the sub-air cooler 75. The third duct 76 has an air outlet 76A that blows the cold air in the -Z direction into the space on the -X side of the rack 2.

[0057] In the local air-conditioning system 1A described above, the warm air exhausted from the exhaust surface 32 of the switching hub 3B is taken in and cooled by the exhaust device 7, and then exhausted to the outside of the rack 2. Specifically, the warm air exhausted from the exhaust surface 32 of the switching hub 3B is first sent to the air cooler 72 via the air vent 23A in the top panel 23 and the first duct 71 (see arrow R8 in FIGS. 5 and 6). The cool air cooled by the air cooler 72 is sent to the space on the +Z side of the rack 2, i.e., the hot aisle HI, via the second duct 73 (see arrow R9 in FIGS. 5 and 6). The cool air sent to the hot aisle HI is taken in from the intake surface 31 of the switching hub 3B in the opposite direction, and can cool the inside of the switching hub 3B (see arrow R10 in FIG. 5).

[0058] Additionally, each of the auxiliary air cooler 74 and the sub-air cooler 75 takes in and cools air outside the rack 2 (see arrow R11 in FIG. 6). The cold air cooled by the auxiliary air cooler 74 is sent to the hot aisle HI via the second duct 73, similar to the cold air cooled by the exhaust device 7 (see arrow R12 in FIG. 6). The cold air cooled by the sub-air cooler 75 is sent to the space on the -Z side of the rack 2, i.e., the cold aisle CI, via the third duct 76, where it can cool the air near the temperature sensor 12 (see arrow R13 in FIG. 5).

[0059] (Effects of the second embodiment) The local air-conditioning system 1A of this embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment. That is, when the switching hub 3B is installed backward, it is possible to prevent the warm air exhausted from the switching hub 3B from flowing into the cold aisle CI, and also possible to prevent the warm air exhausted from the switching hub 3B from heading toward the temperature sensor 12 installed in the rack 2. Furthermore, the local air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment can achieve appropriate air conditioning without reinstalling the switching hub 3B.

[0060] The exhaust device 7 of this embodiment includes a first duct 71 connected to the air vent 23A and extending above the top plate 23, an air cooler 72 that cools the air drawn in through the first duct 71, and a second duct 73 that discharges the cool air exhausted from the air cooler 72 toward the space on the +X side relative to the rack 2. With this configuration, the reversed switching hub 3B can appropriately cool its own interior by taking in the cool air discharged from the second duct 73, even if it is air from the hot aisle HI.

[0061] The local air conditioning system 1A of this embodiment further includes an auxiliary cooler 74 installed on the top panel 23, which draws in air from outside the rack, cools the air, and exhausts it to the second duct. In this configuration, the temperature of the cool air discharged from the second duct 73 can be suitably lowered, and the oppositely oriented switching hub 3B can be more reliably cooled.

[0062] The auxiliary air cooler 74 of this embodiment is compatible with the air cooler 72 of the exhaust device 7. Therefore, if the air cooler 72 breaks down, the auxiliary air cooler 74 can be quickly installed in place of the broken-down air cooler 72.

[0063] The local air conditioning system 1A of this embodiment is further provided with a sub-cooler 75 that is installed on the top plate 23, draws in air from outside the rack 2, cools the drawn-in air, and exhausts it, and a third duct 76 that discharges the cool air exhausted from the sub-cooler 75 toward the -X side of the rack 2. In this configuration, the cool air exhausted from the sub-cooled air fan 75 can cool the air near the temperature sensor 12. This effectively prevents the warm air exhausted from the opposite switching hub 3B from affecting the temperature sensor 12.

[0064] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the following modifications within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.

[0065] The shape and size of the ventilation hole 23A in the top plate 23 in each of the above embodiments are not particularly limited as long as the ventilation hole 23A is formed in any range within the region on the −X side of the center of the top plate 23. Furthermore, although the ventilation hole 23A in each of the above embodiments is one hole, it may be multiple holes.

[0066] The exhaust device 5 of the first embodiment described above may be any device capable of exhausting air from the storage space 21 to the outside of the rack 2 through the ventilation holes 23A of the top plate 23, and the specific configuration thereof (for example, the shape of the duct 51 and the number of fans 52) may be changed as desired. Moreover, the exhaust device 5 may not be provided with a duct 51, but may be provided with one or more fans 52 directly connected to the ventilation holes 23A of the top plate 23. Furthermore, in the local air-conditioning system 1 of the first embodiment, the airflow control member 4 and the airflow guide plate 6 may be omitted.

[0067] The specific configuration of the exhaust device 7 of the second embodiment (for example, the shapes of the first duct 71 and the second duct 73, the number of cool air fans 72, etc.) may be changed as desired. In the second embodiment, the airflow control member 4, the auxiliary cold air fan 74, and the sub-cold air fan 75 may be omitted.

[0068] In the above-described embodiments, the electronic device 3 installed at the top of the plurality of electronic devices 3 is a switching hub 3B, and the case where this switching hub 3B is installed facing backwards has been mainly described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if the electronic device 3 installed at the top of the plurality of electronic devices 3 is a device other than the switching hub 3B, if it is installed facing backwards from the other electronic devices 3, the effects of the local air-conditioning systems 1, 1A of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

[0069] Furthermore, the local air-conditioning systems 1, 1A of the above embodiments are most effective when the electronic device 3 installed on the top shelf faces in the opposite direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the local air-conditioning systems 1, 1A of the above embodiments may be installed when the electronic devices 3 installed below the top shelf face in the opposite direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1,1A...Local air conditioning system, 11...Grating, 12...Temperature sensor, 2...Rack, 21...Storage space, 22...Side, 23...Top plate, 23A...Ventilation hole, 3...Electronic device, 31...Intake surface, 32...Exhaust surface, 3A...Server, 3B...Switching hub, 4...Airflow control member, 5...Exhaust device, 51...Duct, 52...Fan, 6...Airflow guide plate, 7...Exhaust device, 71...First duct, 72...air cooler, 721...air intake for cold air, 722...air exhaust for cold air, 723...fan, 724...cooler, 73...second duct, 73A...air outlet, 74...spare air cooler, 741...air intake for cold air, 742...air exhaust for cold air, 75...secondary air cooler, 751...air intake for cold air, 752...air exhaust for cold air, 76...third duct, 76A...air outlet, CI...cold aisle, HI...hot aisle.

Claims

1. a rack having a storage space for storing a plurality of electronic devices stacked in a vertical direction and a top plate disposed above the storage space; an exhaust device installed on the top plate, a ventilation hole penetrating in the up-down direction is provided in an area on one side of the rack in the front-rear direction from the center of the top plate, The exhaust device is a local air-conditioning system that draws in air from within the storage space through the air vent and exhausts the drawn-in air to the outside of the rack.

2. an airflow control member that is installed on a part of a side portion of the rack facing the one side in the front-rear direction and that suppresses ventilation in the front-rear direction; The local air-conditioning system according to claim 1 , wherein the airflow control member is disposed so as to face an electronic device disposed on an uppermost level among the plurality of electronic devices.

3. The exhaust device is a duct connected to the air vent and extending above the top plate; The local air-conditioning system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a fan that exhausts the air drawn in through the duct to the other side in the front-rear direction.

4. The local air-conditioning system according to claim 3 , further comprising an airflow guide plate installed on the top plate so as to face the fan.

5. The exhaust device is a first duct connected to the air vent and extending above the top plate; an air cooler that cools the air taken in through the first duct; The local air-conditioning system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second duct that discharges the cool air exhausted from the air cooler into a space on the other side of the rack in the front-to-rear direction.

6. Further, a spare air cooler is provided on the top plate, The local air-conditioning system according to claim 5 , wherein the auxiliary air cooler takes in air outside the rack, cools the air, and exhausts the cooled air to the second duct.

7. The local air-conditioning system according to claim 6 , wherein the auxiliary air cooler is compatible with the air cooler.

8. a sub-air cooler that is installed on the top plate, draws in air outside the rack, cools the drawn-in air, and exhausts it; The local air-conditioning system according to claim 5 , further comprising: a third duct that discharges the cool air exhausted from the sub-air cooler toward the one side in the front-to-rear direction relative to the rack.

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