Aisle section structure

Abstract

This system aims to simplify wiring installation and maintenance work while eliminating cumbersome tasks. [Solution] In an aisle partition structure equipped with a shielding section 10 that separates a cold aisle 3 and a hot aisle 4, the shielding section 10 is equipped with a first rail 101 arranged along the entire length of the longitudinal direction X1 of the rack row 1, a plurality of first shielding bodies 102 that are movable along the first rail 101, a second rail 111 arranged along the entire length of the longitudinal direction X1 of the rack row 1 at a position adjacent to the first rail 101 in the front-rear direction of the rack row 1, and a plurality of second shielding bodies 112 that are movable along the second rail 111. The shielding section 10 is configured to be switchable between a closed state that closes the upper part of the rack row 1 and an open state that opens the upper part of the rack row 1 by moving the plurality of first shielding bodies 112 and the plurality of second shielding bodies 112 along the longitudinal direction X1 of the rack row 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aisle partitioning structure provided with a shielding portion that partitions cold aisles and hot aisles by closing the upper part of a row of racks over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the row of racks, where a plurality of racks containing objects to be cooled are arranged side by side.

Background Art

[0002] In a data center or the like, a row of racks in which a plurality of racks containing objects to be cooled such as information processing equipment are arranged side by side is provided, and the objects to be cooled are cooled by supplying cold air from an air conditioner to the row of racks.

[0003] For example, a plurality of rows of racks are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction of the row of racks with the front sides and the rear sides of the row of racks facing each other, and the space between the front sides of the row of racks is used as a cold aisle for supplying cold air from an air conditioner to the row of racks, and the space between the rear sides of the row of racks is used as a hot aisle for returning the warm air after cooling the objects to be cooled in the row of racks to the air conditioner. The cold aisle and the hot aisle are partitioned by shielding the upper part of the row of racks with a shielding portion (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] In Patent Documents 1 and 2, a shielding portion is provided on the rear side (hot aisle side) in the front-rear direction of the row of racks to serve as hot aisle capping that encloses the hot aisle, but it is also possible to provide a shielding portion on the front side (cold aisle side) in the front-rear direction of the row of racks to serve as cold aisle capping that encloses the cold aisle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The wiring points for the rack rows are, for example, located at the top of the rack rows. Therefore, workers use ladders or similar equipment to reach their hands to the top of the rack rows from the aisle side where capping is not installed, thereby performing the wiring work at the top of the rack rows.

[0007] In this case, since a shielding section is provided on one end of the rack row in the front-to-back direction, workers usually lay the wiring from the other end of the rack row in the front-to-back direction on the side where the shielding section is not provided.

[0008] In recent years, with the increasing concentration of servers, the amount of wiring per rack has been increasing, and it has become common to lay multiple rows of wiring in the front-to-back direction above the rack rows. As a result, it has become difficult to lay wiring to one end of a rack row in the front-to-back direction, for example, because it is difficult for workers to reach the other end of the rack row in the front-to-back direction from the other end of the rack row on the side where shielding is not provided.

[0009] Therefore, there is an increasing demand to perform wiring installation work from one end of the rack row in the front-to-back direction on the side where the shielding is installed. Furthermore, while wiring installation was given as an example of work on the upper part of the rack row, various maintenance tasks are also performed, and it is expected that similar demands will arise for maintenance work as well, wanting to perform the work from one end of the rack row in the front-to-back direction on the side where the shielding is installed.

[0010] Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the shielding part is made into a sliding door, and in Patent Document 2, the shielding part is made into a curtain that can move along a rail member, thereby making the shielding part openable and closable.

[0011] However, in Patent Document 1, multiple sliding doors are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the rack row, resulting in a short unit length for each sliding door and a small opening area, making work difficult. Moreover, since each sliding door has a support frame, it is difficult to lay wiring continuously, leading to increased complexity of the work.

[0012] In Patent Document 2, rail members are arranged along the entire length of the rack row, so the opening area can be increased by increasing the distance the curtain has to move. However, even when opening a portion of the rack row in the longitudinal direction, for example, the worker must move to the end of the rack row in the longitudinal direction to open the curtain, which is a cumbersome task.

[0013] In light of these circumstances, the main objective of the present invention is to provide an aisle partition structure that can simplify wiring installation and maintenance work while eliminating the need for cumbersome tasks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The first characteristic configuration of the present invention is an aisle partition structure in which a rack row, which contains a plurality of racks arranged in a row, is provided with a shielding portion that closes off the upper part of the rack row along its entire length in the longitudinal direction, thereby partitioning a cold aisle and a hot aisle. The shielding section comprises a first rail arranged along the entire length of the rack row in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of first shielding bodies movable along the first rail, a second rail arranged along the entire length of the rack row in the longitudinal direction at a position adjacent to the first rail in the front-to-back direction of the rack row, and a plurality of second shielding bodies movable along the second rail. The shielding portion is configured to be switchable between a closed state, which closes the top of the rack row, and an open state, which opens the top of the rack row, by moving the plurality of first shielding bodies and the plurality of second shielding bodies in the longitudinal direction of the rack row.

[0015] According to this configuration, since multiple first and second shields are provided, the top of the rack row can be continuously opened along the longitudinal direction of the rack row by moving multiple shields. Furthermore, by moving the shield located in the middle part along the longitudinal direction of the rack row, the portion of the top of the rack row that is opened can be limited to only the middle part along the longitudinal direction of the rack row. Moreover, by moving the shields located at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the rack row, multiple portions of the top of the rack row that are opened can be made to appear at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the rack row.

[0016] In this way, by simply adjusting the number and position of the movable shielding units, the opening area and position of the section above the rack row can be adjusted as needed. As a result, when laying continuous wiring, a large opening area can be easily secured, and when laying wiring or performing maintenance work, the position and area of ​​the opening can be adjusted as needed, thus simplifying wiring and maintenance work while eliminating cumbersome procedures.

[0017] A second characteristic feature of the present invention is that either the first shielding body or the second shielding body is provided with a gap-closing body that closes the gap between the first shielding body and the second shielding body in the front-to-back direction of the rack row.

[0018] The first and second rails are installed adjacent to each other in the front-to-back direction of the rack row, but in some cases, a small gap may occur between the first and second shielding bodies in the front-to-back direction of the rack row. If such a gap occurs, in the case of hot aisle capping, the warm air from the hot aisle may flow through the gap into the cold aisle, which is a problem. In the case of cold aisle capping, the cold air from the cold aisle may flow into the hot aisle, which is a problem.

[0019] Therefore, according to this configuration, by providing a gap closing body on either one side of the first shielding body and the second shielding body, the gap between the first shielding body and the second shielding body in the front-rear direction of the rack row is closed. Thus, in the case of hot aisle capping, the inconvenience that the warm air of the hot aisle flows into the cold aisle through the gap can be prevented, and in the case of cold aisle capping, the inconvenience that the cold air of the cold aisle flows into the hot aisle can be prevented, and the cold aisle and the hot aisle can be appropriately partitioned. Incidentally, this gap closing body can be attached so as not to affect the movement of the first shielding body and the second shielding body.

[0020] The third characteristic configuration of the present invention lies in that gap generation suppressing portions for suppressing the generation of a gap between the shielding portion and the upper portion of the rack row are provided at the lower end portions of the first shielding body and the second shielding body.

[0021] According to this configuration, by providing gap generation suppressing portions at the lower end portions of the first shielding body and the second shielding body, it is possible to suppress the generation of a gap between the shielding portion and the upper portion of the rack row. In the case of hot aisle capping through this gap, the inconvenience that the warm air of the hot aisle flows into the cold aisle through the gap can be prevented, and in the case of cold aisle capping, the inconvenience that the cold air of the cold aisle flows into the hot aisle can be prevented, and the cold aisle and the hot aisle can be appropriately partitioned. Incidentally, this gap generation suppressing portion can be attached so as not to affect the movement of the first shielding body and the second shielding body.

[0022] The fourth characteristic configuration of the present invention lies in that the first shielding body, the second shielding body, and the gap closing body are configured to be adjustable in length in the vertical direction.

[0023] According to this configuration, even when the heights of the racks are different, by adjusting the lengths in the vertical direction of the first shielding body, the second shielding body, and the gap closing body, it is possible to appropriately close the upper portion of the rack row while closing the gap between the first shielding body and the second shielding body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] Side view showing two rack rows of the rack installation room in the first direction view [Figure 2] View showing the rack installation room and the machine room in the second direction view [Figure 3] View showing the rack installation room and the machine room in plan view [Figure 4] View showing the upper side shielding part in the first direction [Figure 5] (A) is a view showing the first shielding body, the second shielding body, and the first gap blocking body in plan view, and (B) is a view showing the first shielding body, the second shielding body, and the second gap blocking body in plan view [Figure 6] (A) is a view showing the end side part in the first direction in the upper side shielding part in an open state, (B) is a view showing the central side part in the first direction in the upper side shielding part in an open state, and (C) is a view showing the upper side shielding part in an open state with an interval in the first direction

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] An embodiment of an air conditioning system employing the aisle partition structure according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings This air conditioning system is applied to a building having a data center, a server room, etc. where various information processing devices are installed. Taking various information processing devices as cooling objects, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, cooling air K1 (refer to the white arrow in FIGS. 1-3) from an air conditioner 2 (refer to FIGS. 2 and 3) is circulated and supplied to a rack row 1 in which a plurality of racks (not shown) accommodating the cooling objects are arranged, thereby cooling the cooling objects

[0026] Here, regarding the directions, with the rack row 1 as a reference, the longitudinal direction of the rack row 1 is defined as the first direction X1, the front-rear direction of the rack row 1 is defined as the second direction, and the direction in which the first direction X1 and the second direction X2 are orthogonal to each other

[0027] Although the racks in rack row 1 are not shown in the illustration, each of the multiple racks is equipped with multiple storage compartments arranged vertically and horizontally, and each compartment is capable of accommodating equipment (objects to be cooled). As shown in Figures 1 and 3, in the rack installation room 5, multiple rack rows 1 are arranged with their front sides facing each other and their rear sides facing each other, spaced apart in the second direction X2. Incidentally, in Figures 1 and 3, only two of the multiple rack rows 1 are shown, spaced apart in the second direction X2 with their rear sides facing each other.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1-3, the space between the rear sides of the rack rows 1 is designated as a hot aisle 4, which returns the warm air (see black arrows in Figures 1 and 2) after the objects to be cooled in the rack rows 1 back to the air conditioning unit 2. The space other than the hot aisle 4, including the front sides of the rack rows 1 and the top of the rack rows 1, is designated as a cold aisle 3. In Figures 1 and 3, only two rack rows 1 are shown, separated in the second direction X2 with their rear sides facing each other. Therefore, in the figures, the space between the two rack rows 1 is the hot aisle 4, and the space other than the hot aisle 4, such as the space on the outside of the two rack rows 1, is the cold aisle 3.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the air conditioning unit 2 is installed, for example, in a machine room 6 adjacent to the rack installation room 5 where the rack row 1 is located. The air conditioning unit 2 is installed on both ends of the first direction X1, facing the rack row 1 in the first direction X1. By blowing cooling air K1 from both ends of the first direction X1 using the air conditioning unit 2, the cooling air K1 can be uniformly supplied to the cold aisle 3 which is long in the first direction X1.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the warm air K2 returned in the hot aisle 4 is supplied to the space above the ceiling of the rack installation room 5 through an opening formed in the ceiling 52 of the rack installation room 5, and is returned to the air conditioning unit 2 through the warm air passage 7 in the space above the ceiling. The air conditioning unit 2 uses a side-flow system to cool the returned warm air K2 to generate cooling air K1, and then supplies the generated cooling air K1 to the cold aisle 3 by blowing it horizontally.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the upper part of rack row 1 is where wiring 11, such as power lines and communication lines that supply power to various information processing devices, are installed. Above rack row 1, wiring racks 13 are installed, suspended and supported by suspension support devices 12 that extend downward from the ceiling, and the wiring 11 is housed in the wiring racks 13 with support placed on them.

[0032] To prevent warm air K2 from the hot aisle 4 from flowing into the cold aisle 3, and conversely, to prevent cooling air K1 from the cold aisle 3 from flowing into the hot aisle 4, aisle partitions 9 and 10 are provided to divide the cold aisle 3 and the hot aisle 4, as shown in Figure 1-3.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the aisle sections 9 and 10 are provided with side shielding sections 9 that close off the hot aisle 4 in the first direction X1 from the floor 51 of the rack installation room 5 to the upper end 1a of the rack row 1, and upper shielding sections 10 that close off the hot aisle 4 from the upper end 1a of the rack row 1 facing the hot aisle 4 to the ceiling 52 of the rack installation room 5, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment, hot aisle capping (hot aisle containment) is employed, which shields the hot aisle 4 with the side shielding sections 9 and the upper shielding sections 10.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the side shielding portion 9 includes a rack shielding portion 91 that closes off the portions corresponding to both ends of the rack row 1 in the first direction X1, and an aisle shielding portion 92 that shields off the portions corresponding to both ends of the hot aisle 4 in the first direction X1.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the rack shielding section 91 is formed in the shape of a wall extending from the floor 51 of the rack installation room 5 to the upper end of the rack row 1. The rack shielding section 91 can be configured, for example, as a storage shelf having a predetermined width in the first direction X1 and capable of accommodating various equipment such as distribution boards inside.

[0036] Although not shown in the diagram, the aisle shielding section 92 (see Figure 3) is formed in the same way as the rack shielding section 91, as a wall extending upward from the floor 51 of the rack installation room 5. Unlike the rack shielding section 91, the aisle shielding section 92 extends to the ceiling 52 of the rack installation room 5, and at both ends of the rack row 1 in the first direction X1, it closes off the hot aisle 4 from the floor 51 to the ceiling 52 of the rack installation room 5. As shown in Figure 3, the aisle shielding section 92 is provided with an openable and closable door section 93 that allows workers and others to enter the hot aisle 4.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the upper shielding section 10 (corresponding to the shielding section) closes the upper part of the rack row 1 over its entire length in the first direction X1. As shown in Figure 4, the upper shielding section 10 is suspended and supported by a suspension support 14 extending downward from the ceiling, and includes a first rail 101, a plurality of first shielding bodies 102 that are movable along the first rail 101, a second rail 111, and a plurality of second shielding bodies 112 that are movable along the second rail 111.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, the upper ends of the first rail 101 and the second rail 111 are attached to the suspension support 14, and they are arranged in adjacent positions in the second direction X2, and as shown in Figure 2, they are arranged along the entire length of the rack row 1 in the first direction X1. As shown in Figure 4, the suspension support 14 is provided by combining multiple parts and penetrating the ceiling 52, and the first rail 101 and the second rail 111 are arranged at its lower end adjacent to each other in the second direction X2.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, in the second direction X2, the first rail 101 is positioned on the central side of the rack row 1 away from the hot aisle 4, and the second rail 111 is positioned on the end side of the rack row 1 adjacent to the hot aisle 4. As a result, the first shielding body 102 closes off the central side of the rack row 1 away from the hot aisle 4, and the second shielding body 112 closes off the end side of the rack row 1 adjacent to the hot aisle 4.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the first rail 101 is provided with a first movable part 103 that is movable along the entire length of the first rail 101 in a first direction X1, and a first suspension support part 104 for suspending and supporting the first shielding body 102 is attached to the lower end of the first movable part 103. The second rail 111 is also provided with a second movable part 113 that is movable along the entire length of the second rail 111 in a first direction X1, similar to the first rail 101, and a second suspension support part 114 for suspending and supporting the second shielding body 112 is attached to the lower end of the second movable part 113.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 can be various thin, plate-like shielding bodies that extend vertically and horizontally, such as vinyl sheets or polyvinyl chloride panels. The first shielding body 102 is suspended and supported by hooking onto the first suspension support part 104 and is provided in a position that extends downward. The second shielding body 112 is suspended and supported by hooking onto the second suspension support part 114 and is provided in a position that extends downward.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 have the same predetermined length in the first direction X1. In Figure 2, the first shielding body 102 is shown by a solid line, and the second shielding body 112 is shown by a dotted line. In the first direction X1, there is an overlapping portion A (see Figure 5) where the end portions of the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 overlap, and multiple first shielding bodies 102 and multiple second shielding bodies 112 are arranged alternately along the entire length of the rack row 1.

[0043] The lengths of the first shielding 102 and the second shielding 112 in the first direction X1 can be changed as appropriate, and the lengths of the first shielding 102 and the second shielding 112 can be set to different lengths. For example, when laying wiring 11 or performing maintenance work, the lengths of the first shielding 102 and the second shielding 112 can be set according to the opening area that needs to be left open at the top of the rack row 1. Alternatively, the lengths of the first shielding 102 and the second shielding 112 can be set according to the total length of the rack row 1 in the first direction X1, for example, by increasing the length of the first shielding 102 and the second shielding 112 as the total length of the rack row 1 in the first direction X1 increases.

[0044] Multiple first movable parts 103 and first suspension support parts 104 are provided, each corresponding to one of the multiple first shielding bodies 102, and one first shielding body 102 is suspended and supported by multiple first suspension support parts 104. As a result, for example, when a worker moves a first shielding body 102 in a first direction X1, multiple first movable parts 103 move along the first rail 101, and the multiple first suspension support parts 104 attached to each of these multiple first movable parts 103 also move, allowing the first shielding bodies 102 to be moved one by one to the desired position.

[0045] Similarly, multiple second moving parts 113 and second suspension support parts 114 are provided, corresponding to each of the multiple second shielding bodies 112, and one second shielding body 112 is suspended and supported by multiple second suspension support parts 114. As a result, for example, when a worker or the like moves a second shielding body 112 in a first direction X1, multiple second moving parts 113 move along the second rail 111, and the multiple second suspension support parts 114 attached to each of these multiple second moving parts 113 also move, allowing the second shielding bodies 112 to be moved one by one to the desired position.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the lower ends of the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 are provided with gap generation suppression parts 121 that suppress the formation of a gap between the upper shielding body 10 and the upper end 1a of the rack row 1. The gap generation suppression parts 121 are configured such that the vertical length of the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 is longer than the length from the ceiling 52 to the upper end 1a of the rack row 1, and the lower ends of the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 are rested on the upper end 1a of the rack row 1. The first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 are made of an elastically modifiable material, and by resting their lower ends on the upper end 1a of the rack row 1, the gap generation suppression parts 121, which are the lower ends, become curved due to elastic deformation and come into contact with the upper end 1a of the rack row 1, thereby suppressing the formation of a gap between them and the upper end 1a of the rack row 1.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 are arranged adjacent to each other in the second direction X2, but there is a possibility that a gap may be formed between the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 in the second direction X2. Therefore, in this embodiment, a gap-closing body 122 is provided to close the gap between the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 in the second direction X2.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, the gap-closing body 122 is positioned between the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 in the second direction X2, attached to the first shielding body 102. As shown in Figure 5, the gap-closing body 122 is positioned at the end of the overlapping portion A where the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 overlap in the first direction X1. As shown in Figure 4, the gap-closing body 122 includes a first gap-closing body 123 positioned on the upper side and extending in the vertical direction, and a second gap-closing body 124 extending downward in a continuous manner from the lower end of the first gap-closing body 123.

[0049] As shown in Figures 4 and 5(A), the first gap-closing body 123 is made of an L-shaped aluminum angle material fixed to the first shielding body 102 with fasteners B such as bolts and nuts. As shown in Figures 4 and 5(B), the second gap-closing body 124 is made of a rectangular flame-retardant sponge attached to the first shielding body 102 with adhesive or the like.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the first gap-closing body 123 and the second gap-closing body 124 are provided in a state that is continuous in the vertical direction. Therefore, they not only have the function of closing the gap between the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 in the second direction X2, but also have a posture-maintaining function that keeps the first shielding body 102 in a position along the vertical direction. Moreover, since the lower end of the second gap-closing body 124 is located at the upper end of the gap generation suppression part 121, it does not hinder the function of the gap generation suppression part 121 in suppressing the generation of gaps.

[0051] Incidentally, in this embodiment, by providing extensions that extend vertically relative to the second shielding body 112, such as the first gap-closing body 123 and the second gap-closing body 124, the second shielding body 112 can also be equipped with a posture-maintaining part that maintains a posture along the vertical direction.

[0052] The first gap blocker 123 and the second gap blocker 124 can come into contact with the second shielding body 112, but they do not obstruct the movement of the second shielding body 112 in the first direction X1. Rather, they allow the movement of the second shielding body 112 in the first direction X1 while in contact with it. As a result, even with the first gap blocker 123 and the second gap blocker 124 in place, the movement of the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 in the first direction X1 is not affected, and the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 can be moved independently and freely in the first direction X1.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, the first shielding body 102, the second shielding body 112, and the gap-closing body 122 are configured to allow adjustment of their length in the vertical direction. The first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 are made of a material that can be cut, such as a vinyl sheet or a polyvinyl chloride panel, so their length in the vertical direction can be adjusted by cutting them to the desired length. The gap-closing body 122 has a second gap-closing body 124 located on the lower side, which is made of a material that can be cut, such as a flame-retardant sponge, so its length in the vertical direction can be adjusted by cutting it to the desired length.

[0054] As a result, even if the rack heights are different, the upper part of the rack row 1 can be properly closed while closing the gap between the first shielding body 102 and the second shielding body 112 by adjusting the vertical lengths of the first shielding body 102, the second shielding body 112 and the gap closing body 122.

[0055] As described above, as shown in Figure 1, wiring racks 13 are arranged at the top of rack row 1, and the top of rack row 1 is where the wiring 11 is installed. In recent years, the amount of wiring per rack has been increasing due to the consolidation of servers, so wiring racks 13 are arranged in pairs in the vertical direction and in the second direction X2 to flexibly accommodate the increase in the amount of wiring.

[0056] When laying wiring 11 to wiring rack 13, as shown in Figure 1, a stepladder or similar is placed on the floor 51 of the rack installation room 5, and workers reach their hands from the stepladder or similar to the top of the rack row 1 to lay the wiring 11. However, if the work is performed only from the cold aisle 3 side where the upper shielding section 10 is not installed, it is difficult for workers to reach the wiring rack 13 on the hot aisle 4 side, making it difficult to lay wiring 11 to the wiring rack 13 on the hot aisle 4 side.

[0057] In addition to the installation of wiring 11, maintenance work may also be performed on the upper part of rack row 1. Even when performing this maintenance work, it becomes difficult to carry out the maintenance work if the work is performed only from the cold aisle 3 side, where the upper shielding section 10 is not installed.

[0058] Therefore, in the second direction X2, it is required that work can be performed not only from the cold aisle 3 side, where the upper shielding portion 10 is not installed, but also from the hot aisle 4 side, where the upper shielding portion 10 is installed, relative to the upper part of the rack row 1.

[0059] In this embodiment, the upper shielding section 10 is provided with a plurality of first shielding bodies 102 that are movable along the first rail 101 and a plurality of second shielding bodies 112 that are movable along the second rail 111. By moving the plurality of first shielding bodies 102 and the plurality of second shielding bodies 112 in the first direction X1, it is possible to switch between a closed state that closes the upper part of the rack row 1 and an open state that opens the upper part of the rack row 1.

[0060] This allows the upper shielding section 10 to be closed, thereby separating the cold aisle 3 from the hot aisle 4. Furthermore, by switching the upper shielding section 10 to the open position, the top of the rack row 1 can be opened, enabling wiring 11 installation and maintenance work from the hot aisle 4 side where the upper shielding section 10 is located.

[0061] When laying or maintaining wiring 11, workers can open the top of rack row 1 simply by moving the first shielding 102 or the second shielding 112 in the first direction X1, thus allowing the top of rack row 1 to be opened with a simple operation.

[0062] Furthermore, for example, by moving multiple first shielding bodies 102 and multiple second shielding bodies 112 that are continuous in the first direction X1, the opening area of ​​the opening C (the area shown in gray in Figures 6(A) and (B)) that opens the top of the rack row 1 can be enlarged, as shown in Figures 6(A) and (B), allowing for the installation of wiring 11 continuous in the first direction X1 and maintenance work to be carried out with a large opening area. Incidentally, in Figure 6, the moved first shielding bodies 102 and second shielding bodies 112 are present in areas other than the opening C.

[0063] Furthermore, since workers can appropriately select which first shielding body 102 and second shielding body 112 to move, the part of the rack row 1 that is opened can be the end part in the first direction X1, as shown in Figure 6(A), or the central part in the first direction X1, as shown in Figure 6(B). In addition, multiple openings C that open the top of the rack row 1 can be made to appear at intervals in the first direction X1, as shown in Figure 6(C).

[0064] In this way, by simply adjusting the number and position of the first shielding bodies 102 and the second shielding bodies 112 that are moved, the opening area and position of the opening C that opens the top of the rack row 1 can be adjusted as needed, making it possible to easily lay wiring 11 and perform maintenance work.

[0065] [Another embodiment] Other embodiments of the present invention will now be described. Note that the configurations of each embodiment described below are not limited to being applied individually, but can also be applied in combination with the configurations of other embodiments.

[0066] (1) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which hot aisle capping (hot aisle containment) is employed in which the hot aisle 4 is shielded by the side shielding portion 9 and the upper shielding portion 10. However, conversely, cold aisle capping (cold aisle containment) can also be employed in which the cold aisle 3 is shielded by the side shielding portion 9 and the upper shielding portion 10.

[0067] (2) In the above embodiment, the rack installation room 5 where the rack row 1 is installed and the machine room 6 where the air conditioning unit 2 is installed are provided as separate rooms, but the rack row 1 and the air conditioning unit 2 can also be installed in the same room (same space).

[0068] (3) In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the gap-closing body 122 is supported by the first shielding body 102, but the gap-closing body 122 can also be supported by the second shielding body 112. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1 rack row 3 Cold Isle 4 Hot Isle 9. Side shielding portion (shielding portion) 101 First Rail 102 First Shielding 111 Second Rail 112 Second Shielding 121 Gap formation suppression part 122 Gap-closing body

Claims

1. In an aisle compartment structure in which a rack row containing multiple racks for cooling is provided with a shielding section that closes off the top of the rack row along its entire length in the longitudinal direction, thereby separating a cold aisle from a hot aisle, The shielding section comprises a first rail arranged along the entire length of the rack row in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of first shielding bodies movable along the first rail, a second rail arranged along the entire length of the rack row in the longitudinal direction at a position adjacent to the first rail in the front-to-back direction of the rack row, and a plurality of second shielding bodies movable along the second rail. The shielding section is an aisle partition structure configured to be switchable between a closed state that closes the upper part of the rack row and an open state that opens the upper part of the rack row by moving a plurality of first shielding bodies and a plurality of second shielding bodies in the longitudinal direction of the rack row.

2. The aisle partition structure according to claim 1, wherein one side of either the first shielding body or the second shielding body is provided with a gap-closing body that closes the gap between the first shielding body and the second shielding body in the front-to-back direction of the rack row.

3. The aisle partition structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower ends of the first shielding body and the second shielding body are provided with gap generation suppression parts that suppress the formation of gaps between the shielding parts and the upper parts of the rack row.

4. The aisle partition structure according to claim 2, wherein the first shielding body, the second shielding body, and the gap closing body are configured to allow adjustment of their length in the vertical direction.

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