Device for preventing condensation and method for preventing condensation

Abstract

To provide a dew condensation countermeasures taking device and a method for taking countermeasures against dew condensation which can respond properly to occurrence of dew condensation in a target institution by a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A dew condensation countermeasures taking device 10 of the present invention includes an acquisition unit 21, a prediction unit 24, and a responding unit 25. The acquisition unit 21 acquires prediction information regarding future weathers in the location of a target institution. The prediction unit 24 performs prediction processing of predicting the average temperature of the location area in a period of time from the current time to a certain point of time in the future and the temperature of the dew point in the location area at the certain point of time on the basis of the prediction information. The responding time 25 performs responding processing to occurrence of dew concentration in the target institution when the dew-point temperature is higher than the average temperature and the difference between the dew-point temperature and the average temperature is at least a predetermined temperature in at least one prediction processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for preventing condensation, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for preventing condensation in a facility. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the outside air has tended to become more humid every year due to the effects of global warming and other factors, making it easier for condensation to occur inside facilities such as logistics warehouses. The occurrence of condensation inside a facility can have an undesirable effect on items stored within the facility.

[0003] Countermeasures against condensation include installing equipment such as a dehumidifier, and predicting the occurrence of condensation and taking preventative measures. The former method requires the cost of installing the equipment and the installation work. On the other hand, the latter method involves, for example, manual measures, specifically issuing a warning when condensation is predicted to occur to call attention to the situation. This makes it possible to prevent condensation from occurring without installing equipment such as a dehumidifier. For these reasons, the latter method is sometimes emphasized as a countermeasure against condensation.

[0004] One possible method for predicting the occurrence of condensation is to measure the temperature and humidity inside and outside the facility using a sensor or the like and predict the occurrence of condensation based on the measured values ​​(see Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a difference value Ta between the surface temperature Th on the inside of the glass and a threshold value Tth is calculated, a temperature tk of a condensation detection element whose electrical characteristics change depending on the presence or absence of condensation is detected, and the presence or absence of condensation in the condensation detection element is determined based on the electrical characteristics when the condensation detection element is cooled so that the temperature tk becomes the difference value Ta. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-239789 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, in order to accurately predict the occurrence of condensation within a facility, it is necessary to measure the temperature and humidity of the air within the facility, the temperature of the walls or floors within the facility, and the temperature and humidity of the outside air, and then perform a calculation to predict whether condensation will occur by combining these measurement results as parameters. However, the more temperature and humidity measurement points there are, the greater the amount of information to be processed, which makes the system more complicated. Furthermore, the above system requires sensors, a device (computer) for processing the sensor measurement data, and devices for connecting these, which increases the maintenance costs of the facility including the system.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a condensation prevention device and a condensation prevention method that can appropriately respond to the occurrence of condensation within the target facility with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above problem is solved by the condensation prevention device of the present invention by having an acquisition unit that acquires forecast information regarding future weather in the location area of ​​the target facility, a prediction unit that executes a prediction process to predict the average temperature in the location area for the period from the present time to a predetermined time in the future and the dew point temperature in the location area at the predetermined time based on the forecast information, and a response unit that executes a response process to the occurrence of condensation within the target facility if, in at least one prediction process, the dew point temperature is equal to or higher than the average temperature and the difference between the dew point temperature and the average temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

[0009] The anti-condensation device of the present invention configured as described above predicts the occurrence of condensation within a target facility based on weather forecast information, eliminating the need to install sensors to measure temperature and humidity within the target facility. Furthermore, instead of predicting changes (over time) in temperature, humidity, and dew point temperature within the target facility, the device predicts the occurrence of condensation within the target facility based on the outside air temperature and humidity in the area where the target facility is located. This eliminates the need to perform complex calculations using measured values ​​of temperature and humidity within the target facility or changes over time in dew point temperature, and allows for appropriate responses to the occurrence of condensation within the target facility with a simple configuration.

[0010] The condensation countermeasure device of the present invention may further include a setting unit that executes a setting process to set a predetermined time point and a predetermined temperature before the prediction process. In this case, the setting unit may perform the following steps in the setting process: calculating an index value for condensation occurrence within the target facility multiple times by changing the temperature difference and the length based on the temperature difference between the average air temperature in the location area during a predetermined period and the dew point temperature at the end of the predetermined period and the length of the predetermined period; determining whether each of the index values ​​calculated multiple times is equal to or greater than a reference value; and setting the predetermined temperature and the predetermined time point based on the temperature difference and the length when the index value is equal to or greater than the reference value. According to the above configuration, it is possible to appropriately set the predetermined time point and predetermined temperature that serve as criteria for predicting the occurrence of condensation in the target facility.

[0011] In addition, in the anti-condensation device of the present invention, the setting unit calculates an index value based on a numerical value corresponding to the usage conditions of the target facility during the setting process, determines for each usage condition whether the index value is equal to or greater than a reference value, and sets a specified time point and a specified temperature in association with the usage conditions. According to the above configuration, the predetermined time and predetermined temperature, which are the criteria for predicting the occurrence of condensation in the target facility, are set in association with the usage conditions of the target facility, thereby making it possible to appropriately respond to the occurrence of condensation in the target facility, taking into account the usage conditions of the target facility.

[0012] In the above configuration, the usage conditions may be conditions related to at least one of the open / close state of an opening / closing member installed in the target facility and the presence or absence of materials in the target facility. In this case, it is possible to appropriately deal with the occurrence of condensation in the target facility by taking into account the open / close state of the opening / closing member and the presence or absence of materials in the target facility.

[0013] In the dew condensation countermeasure device of the present invention, the prediction unit may execute the prediction process multiple times by changing the time period to be predicted. In this case, the response unit may execute the response process when the dew point temperature is equal to or higher than the average air temperature and the difference between the dew point temperature and the average air temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature in each of the multiple consecutive prediction processes. According to the above configuration, when the dew point temperature is equal to or higher than the average air temperature and the difference between the dew point temperature and the average air temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature for a predetermined number of consecutive times, a countermeasure is executed. This allows the system to appropriately determine whether or not a countermeasure needs to be executed, and to execute the countermeasure when a countermeasure is required, such as when there is a high possibility of condensation occurring in the facility.

[0014] In the dew condensation countermeasure device of the present invention, the countermeasure process may be a process of issuing a warning against the occurrence of dew condensation in the target facility. According to the above configuration, by notifying users of the target facility that there is a high possibility of condensation occurring within the target facility, it is possible to appropriately deal with the occurrence of condensation within the target facility.

[0015] Furthermore, the above-mentioned problem is solved by the condensation countermeasure method of the present invention, which is a condensation countermeasure method using a computer, including the steps of: acquiring forecast information regarding future weather in the location area of ​​the target facility; executing a prediction process by the computer to predict the average temperature in the location area for a period from the present time to a predetermined time in the future and the dew point temperature in the location area at the predetermined time based on the forecast information; and executing a response process by the computer to deal with the occurrence of condensation within the target facility if, in at least one prediction process, the dew point temperature is equal to or higher than the average temperature and the difference between the dew point temperature and the average temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. According to the above method, it is possible to appropriately deal with the occurrence of condensation in the target facility with a simple configuration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to predict the occurrence of condensation in a target facility without the need to install sensors or the like in the target facility, and without predicting changes in temperature, humidity, dew point temperature, etc. over time in the target facility. As a result, with a simple configuration, it is possible to appropriately respond to the occurrence of condensation in the target facility. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an anti-condensation device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing the function of the anti-condensation device of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a flow of a dew condensation countermeasure method according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between changes in outdoor air temperature and outdoor air dew point temperature and the occurrence of condensation. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a calculation model used to calculate an index value. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the calculation results of the index value, showing the calculation results when the opening and closing member of the target facility is opened. [Figure 6B]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the calculation results of the index value, showing the calculation results when the opening and closing member of the target facility is closed. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the predicted results of condensation occurrence in the target facility. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present embodiment) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the concept of "device" described in this specification includes a single device that performs a specific function, as well as multiple devices that exist independently in a distributed manner but cooperate (link) to perform a specific function.

[0019] <<Outline of the anti-condensation device according to this embodiment>> An overview of the anti-condensation device according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as anti-condensation device 10) will be described. The condensation control device 10 is used to prevent condensation in a target facility. The target facility may be, for example, a logistics facility or warehouse that stores merchandise, a store that handles commercial materials, a building where equipment is installed, or a building used for other purposes. In this embodiment, a logistics facility equipped with opening and closing members such as shutters or doors is set as the target facility.

[0020] The condensation countermeasure device 10 is an information processing device (arithmetic device), and specifically, is configured by a computer such as a personal computer (PC), a workstation, a server computer, etc. The computer that configures the condensation countermeasure device 10 executes a process for predicting the occurrence of condensation in the target facility, and, if the possibility of condensation occurrence is high, executes a process for taking measures against the occurrence of condensation (detailed later, the response process).

[0021] The anti-condensation device 10 may be configured with a single computer, or may be configured with multiple computers distributed in parallel. Furthermore, if the computer configuring the anti-condensation device 10 is a server computer, it may be a server computer for ASP (Application Service Provider), SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), or IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). In this case, when necessary information is input into a client terminal such as a PC, the server computer performs a series of information processing (calculation) for anti-condensation measures based on the input information, and the calculation results are output on the client terminal side. In other words, the functions of the server computer that is the anti-condensation device 10 can be used on the client terminal side.

[0022] The computer constituting the anti-condensation device 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, a storage 13, a communication interface 14, an input device 15, and an output device 16, as shown in FIG.

[0023] The processor 11 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The memory 12 is configured by semiconductor memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0024] The storage 13 may be configured, for example, by a flash memory, a hard disc drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flexible disc (FD), a magneto-optical disc (MO disc), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a secure digital card (SD card), or a universal serial bus memory (USB memory). The storage 13 may be built into the computer main body that constitutes the condensation countermeasure device 10, or may be attached to the computer main body in an external form, or may be configured by an external server (for example, a database server) present on a network.

[0025] The communication interface 14 may be configured, for example, by a network interface card or a communication interface board, etc. The computer constituting the condensation countermeasure device 10 can communicate data with other devices connected to the Internet, a mobile communication line, etc. via the communication interface 14.

[0026] The input device 15 is configured by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel. The output device 16 is configured by, for example, a display and a speaker.

[0027] Furthermore, a program for an operating system (OS) and an application program for anti-condensation measures are installed as software in the computer that constitutes the anti-condensation device 10.

[0028] The configuration of the condensation countermeasure device 10 will be explained again from a functional perspective. As shown in Fig. 2, the condensation countermeasure device 10 has an acquisition unit 21, a storage unit 22, a setting unit 23, a prediction unit 24, and a response unit 25. These functional units are realized by cooperation between hardware devices provided in the computer that constitutes the condensation countermeasure device 10 and a program as software installed on the computer. Each functional unit will be explained below.

[0029] The acquisition unit 21 acquires forecast information regarding future weather in the location area of ​​the target facility. The location area of ​​the target facility is the area where the target facility is built, and the area is, for example, a unit of administrative division, and more specifically, in Japan, it is an area divided by district, prefecture, city, ward, town, village, or block or address. The forecast information is information that indicates the forecast values ​​of temperature and humidity in the location area at regular intervals (for example, every hour or several hours), and in this embodiment, it has an amount of information for a certain period (for example, half a day, one day, several days, one to several weeks, or one month).

[0030] The method by which acquisition unit 21 acquires forecast information is not particularly limited, and for example, data indicating weather forecast information may be obtained (downloaded) via a network from a public institution such as the Japan Meteorological Agency, a news organization such as a television station or a newspaper, or an internet site that publishes weekly weather forecasts. Alternatively, the operator of the computer constituting dew condensation countermeasure device 10 may input the forecast information using input device 15 while looking at a medium containing the weather forecast information (such as a newspaper or an internet weather forecast site).

[0031] The storage unit 22 stores various information necessary for information processing for condensation countermeasures by the condensation countermeasure device 10. The information stored in the storage unit 22 includes the predicted information acquired by the acquisition unit 21, the temperature and period set by the setting unit 23 (specifically, the set temperature and set time described below), the prediction result by the prediction unit 24, etc.

[0032] The setting unit 23 executes a setting process to set criteria for predicting the occurrence of condensation in the target facility. The setting process is executed before the prediction process by the prediction unit 24, and in the setting process, the setting unit 23 executes a calculation process, a determination process, and a criteria setting process in this order. In the calculation process, a heat transfer simulation is performed using a calculation model to calculate an index value for the occurrence of condensation in the target facility, specifically, the hit rate described below. In the determination process, it is determined whether the hit rate calculated as the index value is equal to or greater than a reference value. In the criteria setting process, criteria for predicting the occurrence of condensation in the target facility, specifically, a set temperature and a set time, are set based on the determination result in the determination process. The above three steps in the setting process will be explained in detail in the section "Flow of Dew Condensation Prevention in this Embodiment" below.

[0033] The prediction unit 24 executes a prediction process based on the forecast information acquired by the acquisition unit 21. In the prediction process, the average temperature in the area where the target facility is located from the present time to a predetermined time point in the future and the dew point temperature in the area where the target facility is located at the predetermined time point are predicted. Here, the "predetermined time point in the future" refers to the time point when the set time set by the setting unit 23 has elapsed from the present time. The dew point temperature at a given time can be predicted from the predicted air temperature and humidity in the area at that time using a known calculation method (for example, by substituting the humidity and air temperature into a known conversion formula to determine the dew point temperature).

[0034] The prediction unit 24 also executes the prediction process multiple times by changing the prediction target period. Specifically, the prediction unit 24 sets the prediction target period one hour later than the previous prediction process, executes the prediction process for that prediction target period, and thereafter repeats the prediction process in the same manner.

[0035] The response unit 25 executes a response process when, in at least one prediction process, the dew-point temperature at the above-mentioned predetermined time point is equal to or higher than the average air temperature and the difference between the dew-point temperature and the average air temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. The response process is a process executed as a measure against the occurrence of condensation in the target facility, and in this embodiment, it is a process of issuing a warning against the occurrence of condensation in the target facility. The warning is a forecast that there is a risk of condensation occurring in the target facility at the above-mentioned predetermined time point, i.e., when a set time has elapsed from the current time. Hereinafter, this warning will also be referred to as a "condensation forecast."

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the dew-point temperature at a predetermined time point is equal to or greater than the average air temperature and the difference between the dew-point temperature and the average air temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature in each of N consecutive prediction processes, the response unit executes the response process. Here, the predetermined temperature corresponds to the set temperature set by the setting unit 23. The above-mentioned N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2 and is not particularly limited, but is preferably set to 3 to 5. Furthermore, N may be set to about 10 in order to prevent the response process from being executed too frequently and causing frequent condensation forecasts.

[0037] The method for issuing a condensation forecast (warning method) in the response process is not particularly limited, and may include, for example, displaying a warning message or emitting a warning sound on the output device 16 of the condensation countermeasure device 10. Alternatively, a warning email may be sent to a user terminal owned by a user or manager of the facility, or a warning may be issued by activating a vibration generator or light emitter built into the user terminal.

[0038] <<About the flow for preventing condensation according to this embodiment>> The following describes an information processing flow for condensation countermeasures using the above-described condensation countermeasure device 10, i.e., a condensation countermeasure flow. The condensation countermeasure flow employs the condensation countermeasure method of the present invention and proceeds according to the flow shown in FIG. 3. In other words, each step in the condensation countermeasure flow shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to a component of the condensation countermeasure method of the present invention. Note that the information processing flow shown in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the order of steps may be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0039] Each step of the dew condensation countermeasure flow is performed by a computer that constitutes the dew condensation countermeasure device 10. In this embodiment, the dew condensation countermeasure flow is divided into a pre-flow S001 and a regular flow S002 as shown in FIG.

[0040] The pre-flow includes the setting process described above and only needs to be executed once. After being executed once, it may be executed again as necessary. For example, if the conditions for use of the facility change, or if the climate (season) in the area where the facility is located changes, the pre-flow may be executed again.

[0041] The regular flow is executed periodically at a fixed interval (for example, daily) and includes obtaining forecast information about the weather in the area where the facility is located, and the aforementioned prediction and response processes. In other words, the regular flow predicts the occurrence of condensation within the facility on a daily basis, determines on a daily basis whether or not a response to the condensation is necessary, and, if necessary, issues a warning about the occurrence of condensation to draw attention. The execution interval of the regular flow is not particularly limited and does not have to be daily, but may be, for example, every few hours, every half day, every few days, or every week.

[0042] The preliminary flow and the regular flow will be described below. (Pre-flow) In the preliminary flow, the condensation countermeasure device 10 (more specifically, the setting unit 23) executes a setting process. In the setting process, as described above, a judgment criterion for predicting the occurrence of condensation in the target facility is set. Furthermore, in the setting process of this embodiment, the relationship between the temperature and humidity of the outside air and the occurrence of condensation is grasped, and the judgment criterion is set based on this relationship.

[0043] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, when the outside air temperature in the area where the facility is located remains relatively low for several days (for example, about three days), and then the dew point temperature of the outside air rises, condensation tends to occur more easily inside the facility. Figure 4 shows the results of measurements of the outside air temperature and dew point temperature in the area where a certain logistics facility is located, taken from March 2nd to March 10th. In the case shown in Figure 4, the outside air temperature remained relatively low from March 6th to March 9th, and then the dew point temperature of the outside air rose on March 9th, and condensation was confirmed inside the facility on March 9th.

[0044] In the setting step, a judgment criterion for predicting the occurrence of condensation is set based on the above-mentioned trends. Specifically, in the setting process, a calculation step S011, a determination step S012, and a criterion setting step S013 are performed in this order, as shown in Fig. 3. In addition, in the calculation step S011, a numerical calculation step S111, a relevant day identification step S112, and a hit rate calculation step S113 are performed in this order, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0045] In the numerical calculation step S111, heat and moisture transfer (mass transfer) within the target facility is numerically calculated (simulated) based on observation data such as the temperature and humidity of the outside air in the area where the target facility is located. Specifically, a calculation model is created that models the structure of the target facility, and values ​​indicated by the observation data are input into the model to perform heat transfer calculations using unsteady calculations. The target period of the simulation (hereinafter also referred to as the target calculation period) is not particularly limited and may be set to, for example, one month to six months, or one year to several years. Note that the heat transfer calculation method may be a difference method such as an explicit method or an implicit method, a finite element method, or any other calculation method used for heat transfer calculations.

[0046] A calculation model is created according to the specifications of the target facility, but the following explanation will use the calculation model shown in Figure 5 as an example. The calculation model in Figure 5 specifies a three-story facility with a flat roof, with the first floor being a dirt floor, and the space on the first floor is the subject of calculation. Known values ​​can be used for the heat transfer characteristics of each part of the facility. In the calculation model in Figure 5, the thicknesses of the ALC panels that make up the exterior walls, the dirt floor, and the ceiling deck slab are set to 100 mm, 200 mm, and 180 mm, respectively. The temperature of the ground is taken as the temperature at a position 10 m below the ground surface, and in the calculation model in Figure 5, it is maintained at a constant 15°C. The values ​​of the loam layer are used for the thermal conductivity and volumetric specific heat of the ground, which are 1.0 W / mK and 3450 kJ / m 3 The heat generated inside the facility is set at 7.2 W / m², assuming heat generated by lighting. 2 is set to.

[0047] In a simulation using the above calculation model, the room temperature and the temperature of the earthen floor surface within the facility are calculated at predetermined intervals (for example, every hour) taking into account heat transfer due to ventilation and heat transfer due to permeation from the ground (unstable layer), ceiling, and exterior walls. Specifically, the temperature change over time is calculated at the points indicated by the white circles in Figure 5. Additionally, taking into account mass transfer due to ventilation (i.e., moisture gain), the indoor dew point temperature is calculated for each predetermined time period (e.g., every hour). Then, from these calculation results, the amount of condensation on the floor surface for each predetermined time period (e.g., every hour), i.e., whether or not condensation will occur, is calculated. This makes it possible to determine the days on which condensation will occur during the calculation period.

[0048] Furthermore, the numerical calculation step S111 may be performed by changing the conditions of use of the target facility. Specifically, the heat transfer calculation described above may be performed for each condition of use based on numerical values ​​corresponding to the conditions of use of the target facility. This makes it possible to determine the date of condensation occurrence during the calculation period for each condition of use. The conditions of use are those that affect the occurrence of condensation within the target facility, such as conditions related to the open / closed state of opening / closing devices installed in the target facility, or conditions related to the presence or absence of materials (stored items) within the target facility. When the opening / closing devices are closed, condensation is more likely to occur than when the opening / closing devices are open, and when there are no stored items within the target facility, condensation is more likely to occur than when there are stored items. Note that an example of a numerical value corresponding to the usage conditions related to the open / close state of an opening / closing member is the ventilation frequency (air change rate), and in the calculation model shown in Fig. 5, when the shutter, which is an opening / closing member, is closed, the air change rate is set to 0.5 times / h, and when the shutter is open, the air change rate is set to 5.0 times / h. It is preferable that such numerical values ​​corresponding to the usage conditions of the target facility can be adjusted as adjustment parameters on-site, i.e., in the area where the target facility is located.

[0049] In the relevant day identification step S112, the average temperature Ta and dew-point temperature Td are determined for a predetermined period within the calculation period (hereinafter referred to as the variable period) based on observation data such as the outdoor temperature and humidity in the area where the target facility is located, and the temperature difference Δ between them is calculated. Here, the average temperature Ta is the average outdoor temperature in the area where the target facility is located during the variable period, and the dew-point temperature Td is the outdoor dew-point temperature at the end of the variable period. The variable period is set as a variable ranging from several hours to several days.

[0050] In the corresponding day specifying step S112, it is determined whether the dew-point temperature Td is equal to or higher than the average temperature Ta at the end of the variable period and whether the temperature difference Δ between them is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature difference (hereinafter referred to as the variable temperature difference). The variable temperature difference is set as a variable in the range of 0 to several degrees Celsius.

[0051] If the dew-point temperature Td is equal to or greater than the average temperature Ta and the temperature difference Δ between the two is equal to or greater than the variable temperature difference, the day on which the variable period ends is identified as the relevant day. Here, the relevant day corresponds to a day on which condensation is expected to occur in the facility, and in this embodiment, the condensation forecast is made up to the day before the relevant day.

[0052] In the relevant day identification step S112, variable periods are set one day apart, i.e., 24 hours apart, from the start of the calculation period (i.e., the first day of the period), and for each variable period, the average air temperature Ta, dew-point temperature Td, and temperature difference Δ are calculated, and it is determined whether the dew-point temperature Td is equal to or greater than the average temperature Ta. This makes it possible to identify which day in the calculation period is the relevant day for each variable period.

[0053] The relevant day specifying step S112 is executed repeatedly multiple times while changing the variable period length and the variable temperature difference. That is, multiple combinations of the variable period length and the variable temperature difference are set, and the relevant day specifying step S112 is executed for each combination to specify the relevant day in the calculation period for each combination.

[0054] In the hit rate calculation step S113, the condensation occurrence days during the calculation period determined in the numerical calculation step S111 are compared with the relevant days during the calculation period identified in the relevant day identification step S112, and the proportion of relevant days that are condensation occurrence days, that is, the probability that the condensation forecast is made the day before the condensation occurrence day (hit rate) is calculated. Here, the hit rate is a value that indicates the proportion of days that are condensation occurrence days among the relevant days during the calculation period, and corresponds to an index value for the occurrence of condensation within the target facility.

[0055] As described above, the relevant day identification step S112 is performed multiple times by changing the combination of the variable period length and the variable temperature difference, and the relevant day within the calculation period is identified for each combination. Accordingly, the hit rate calculation step S113 is also performed multiple times by changing the combination of the variable period length and the variable temperature difference, and the hit rate is calculated for each combination, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B. Note that Figures 6A and 6B show the hit rates when the variable period length is set to 48 hours (2 days) or 72 hours (3 days) and the variable temperature difference is set to 0°C, 1°C, or 2°C.

[0056] Furthermore, when the use conditions of the target facility are changed and the numerical calculation step S111 is performed, it is preferable to similarly change the use conditions and perform the hit rate calculation step S113. In this case, the hit rate can be calculated for each use condition, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B. Note that Figure 6A shows the hit rate when the shutter of the target facility is closed and materials (storage items) are placed inside the facility, and Figure 6B shows the hit rate when the shutter of the target facility is open and materials (storage items) are placed inside the facility.

[0057] In the determination step S012, it is determined whether the hit rate calculated in the calculation step S011 is equal to or greater than a reference value. In the calculation step S011, the hit rate is calculated for each combination of the variable period length and the variable temperature difference, so in the determination step S012, it is determined whether the hit rate calculated for each combination (i.e., the hit rates calculated multiple times) is equal to or greater than a reference value.

[0058] The reference value can be set to any value, but if it is too low, a warning (condensation forecast) will be issued even in situations where the possibility of condensation is low, and conversely, if it is too high, no warning will be issued even in situations where the possibility of condensation is high. Taking this into consideration, it is desirable to set the reference value to an appropriate value, for example, about 80%.

[0059] In the standard setting step S013, a set temperature and a set time are set based on the variable temperature difference and the length of the variable period when the hit rate is equal to or greater than the standard value. Specifically, from the determination result in the determination step S012, the variable temperature difference and the length of the variable period when the hit rate is equal to or greater than the standard value are identified, and the identified variable temperature difference is set as the set temperature, and the identified length of the variable period is set as the set time. By setting the set time, a point in time that is the set time from the present time is set as a "predetermined point in the future."

[0060] The set temperature and set time set in the above manner are stored in the memory 12 or storage 13 (i.e., storage unit 22) of the condensation countermeasure device 10, and are read out from the storage unit 22 as appropriate when the regular flow is executed.

[0061] 6A and 6B, when the hit rate is calculated for each use condition of the target facility, the determination step S012 and the standard setting step S013 may be performed for each use condition. In this case, the set temperature and set time are set in association with the use condition of the target facility and stored in the storage unit 22 in association with the use condition.

[0062] In the cases shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the reference value for the hit rate is set to 81 to 85%, and in both Figures 6A and 6B, the set temperature is set to 0°C and the set time is set to 72 hours.

[0063] (Regular flow) In the regular flow, as shown in Fig. 3, first, the condensation countermeasure device 10 (more specifically, the acquisition unit 21) performs an acquisition step to acquire forecast information regarding the weather in the area where the target facility is located (S021). The acquisition step S021 may be performed, for example, daily to acquire forecast information on a daily basis, or may be performed every few days or every week to acquire forecast information for several days or a week all at once. The acquired forecast information is stored in the memory unit 22 of the condensation countermeasure device 10.

[0064] After the acquisition step is performed, the condensation countermeasure device 10 (more specifically, the prediction unit 24) executes a prediction process to predict the average temperature Ta in the area where the target facility is located during the prediction period and the dew-point temperature Td at the end of the prediction period based on the forecast information acquired in S021 (S022). The prediction period starts from the present time and is the period from the present time to the time when the set time set in the setting process has elapsed (a predetermined time point).

[0065] In this embodiment, the condensation prevention device 10 executes the prediction process multiple times by changing the prediction target period; specifically, it sets a new prediction target period that is shifted by one hour from the previous prediction process, executes the prediction process for that prediction target period, and then repeats the prediction process in the same manner.

[0066] Thereafter, the condensation countermeasure device 10 (more specifically, the prediction unit 24) determines whether the predicted dew-point temperature Td is equal to or greater than the average air temperature Ta and the difference Δ between the dew-point temperature and the average air temperature is equal to or greater than the set temperature in each prediction process (S023). In this determination, a determination result that the predicted dew-point temperature Td is equal to or greater than the average air temperature Ta and the difference Δ between the dew-point temperature and the average air temperature is equal to or greater than the set temperature will be referred to as an "ON determination" hereinafter.

[0067] Then, when an ON determination is obtained in N consecutive prediction processes (S024), the condensation countermeasure device 10 (more specifically, the countermeasure unit 25) executes a countermeasure process (S025). In the countermeasure process, an alarm is issued in response to the occurrence of condensation, i.e., a condensation forecast is issued. As mentioned above, the number of times N is not particularly limited, but is preferably set to a value suitable for determining whether or not countermeasures against condensation are necessary, and is preferably set to 3 to 5, for example.

[0068] The timing for executing the response process may be any time before the time when condensation is predicted to occur, and for example, for a prediction process that has resulted in an ON determination, a condensation forecast may be issued by the day before the end of the prediction period. To explain this in concrete terms, if the prediction process is executed every hour for the prediction period from March 15 to March 18, and an ON determination is obtained in N consecutive prediction processes, a condensation forecast may be issued by March 17, the day before March 18.

[0069] Furthermore, if the set temperature and set time are set for each use condition in association with the use conditions of the target facility in the pre-flow setting process, the above-mentioned determination step S023 may be performed using the set temperature and set time corresponding to the actual use conditions. This makes it possible to predict the occurrence of condensation in the target facility taking into account the actual use conditions and to respond appropriately to the occurrence of condensation.

[0070] As described above, the regular flow predicts the average temperature Ta during the prediction period in the area where the target facility is located, and the dew point temperature Td at the end of the prediction period, and then predicts the occurrence of condensation within the target facility from the prediction results. This is because the preliminary flow, which precedes the regular flow, grasps the relationship between the outside air temperature and humidity and the occurrence of condensation (see Figure 4), and based on that relationship, sets the criteria for predicting the occurrence of condensation from the average temperature Ta and dew point temperature Td, specifically the set temperature and set time.

[0071] That is, in this embodiment, it is possible to predict the occurrence of condensation within a target facility by predicting the temperature and dew point temperature outside the target facility from weather forecast information, without measuring the temperature and humidity within the target facility or predicting changes in temperature and humidity over time within the target facility. As a result, there is no need to install a sensor to measure temperature and humidity within the target facility, which reduces equipment installation costs. Furthermore, since sensor installation is not required, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the system becomes complicated by linking sensors with calculation processing. Furthermore, since there is no need to predict changes in temperature, humidity, and dew point temperature over time within the target facility, the calculation processing related to predicting the occurrence of condensation is simplified, which reduces the load of the calculation processing. Furthermore, because the calculation processing is simplified, there is no need to use a device with advanced specifications (specs) to perform the calculation processing, which further reduces equipment installation costs.

[0072] In this embodiment, the response process is executed on the condition that the ON determination is made N or more times in succession. By determining whether the response process is necessary based on the number of consecutive ON determinations in this way, the response process can be executed when measures to prevent condensation are required, such as in a situation where the possibility (likelihood) of condensation occurring in the target facility is somewhat high.

[0073] Figure 7 shows an example of predicting the occurrence of condensation in a facility using the method described above, and then taking appropriate action based on the prediction results. The horizontal axis of Figure 7 represents the dates of the period during which condensation is predicted to occur in the facility, and the vertical axis represents the amount of condensation (unit: g / m) occurring in the facility. 3 ) The amount of condensation is a value calculated by the simulation (heat transfer calculation) described above. In addition, in Figure 7, the thick line parallel to the vertical axis indicates the timing when the corresponding process was executed, i.e., the timing when the condensation forecast was issued. In the figure, there are some areas where the amount of condensation occurring peaks within one to three days after the condensation forecast is issued, which indicates that the condensation forecast was correct. Conversely, among the condensation forecasts, those where the amount of condensation occurring does not peak within a certain period after the forecast is issued (those marked "Wrong forecast" with an arrow above in Figure 7) indicate that the forecast was wrong.

[0074] As can be seen from FIG. 7, many of the condensation predictions were correct, which confirms that the prediction of condensation occurrence according to this embodiment is highly accurate.

[0075] <<Application Example>> In this embodiment, the occurrence of condensation within a target facility can be predicted taking into account the conditions of use of the target facility. As an example of its application, for example, it is possible to predict the occurrence of condensation within a target facility taking into account the type, location, purpose, specifications, structure, operational status, and building materials used in the target facility (hereinafter referred to as "types") into account. Specifically, various buildings of different types are set as target facilities, and a set temperature and set time are set for each building in the manner described above. Then, machine learning using AI (artificial intelligence) may be performed on the correspondence between the type of building and the set temperature and set time. Based on the learning results, a set temperature and set time may be set for a new target building, and these set values ​​may be used to predict the occurrence of condensation within the target facility.

[0076] <<Other embodiments>> While one embodiment of the anti-condensation device and anti-condensation method of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof.

[0077] In the above embodiment, as described above, by changing the usage conditions of the target facility and executing the setting process, the set temperature and set time, which are criteria for predicting the occurrence of condensation in the target facility, can be set for each usage condition. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, examples of usage conditions include a condition related to the open / close state of an opening / closing member installed in the target facility and a condition related to the presence or absence of materials in the target facility. However, the setting process may also be used to set the set temperature and set time in cases where one or both of these conditions are changed. Furthermore, the usage conditions may be other conditions that affect the occurrence of condensation in the target facility. For example, if the target facility is a multi-tenant facility, tenants may change, and taking this into consideration, the set temperature and set time may be set according to the operating style of each tenant.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the corresponding process is executed when the ON determination is made in N consecutive prediction processes, but this is not limited to this, and the corresponding process may be executed when the ON determination is made in at least one prediction process.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the response process is to issue a warning about the occurrence of condensation in the target facility, specifically, to issue a condensation forecast. However, the content of the response process is not limited to the above, and may be, for example, a process of controlling and operating anti-condensation equipment (e.g., a dehumidifier or a fan) installed in the target facility, or a process of adjusting the opening degree of a window installed in the target facility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10. Anti-condensation device 11 processors 12 Memory 13. Storage 14 Communication Interface 15 Input Devices 16 Output Devices 21 Acquisition Department 22 Memory section 23 Setting section 24 Prediction Department 25 Correspondence Department

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires forecast information regarding future weather in the area where the target facility is located; a prediction unit that executes a prediction process to predict an average temperature in the location area from the present time to a predetermined time point in the future and a dew point temperature in the location area at the predetermined time point based on the prediction information; A condensation prevention device having a response unit that executes response processing to the occurrence of condensation within the target facility when, in at least one of the prediction processes, the dew point temperature is equal to or higher than the average air temperature and the difference between the dew point temperature and the average air temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

2. a setting unit that executes a setting process for setting the predetermined time point and the predetermined temperature before the prediction process; In the setting process, the setting unit a step of calculating an index value relating to the occurrence of condensation in the target facility multiple times by changing the temperature difference and the length of the predetermined period, based on the temperature difference between the average air temperature in the location area during the predetermined period and the dew point temperature at the end of the predetermined period; determining whether each of the index values ​​calculated multiple times is equal to or greater than a reference value; The dew condensation countermeasure device according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of: setting the predetermined temperature and the predetermined time point based on the temperature difference and the length when the index value is equal to or greater than the reference value.

3. In the setting process, the setting unit Calculating the index value based on a numerical value according to the usage conditions of the target facility; determining whether the index value is equal to or greater than the reference value for each of the usage conditions; The dew condensation countermeasure device according to claim 2 , wherein the predetermined time point and the predetermined temperature are set in association with the usage conditions.

4. The condensation countermeasure device according to claim 3 , wherein the usage conditions are conditions relating to at least one of an open / close state of an open / close member provided in the target facility and the presence or absence of materials in the target facility.

5. the prediction unit executes the prediction process a plurality of times while changing a prediction target period; 5. A condensation control device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the response unit executes the response process when, in each of multiple consecutive prediction processes, the dew point temperature is higher than the average air temperature and the difference between the dew point temperature and the average air temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature.

6. The condensation countermeasure device according to claim 1 , wherein the countermeasure processing is processing for issuing a warning against occurrence of condensation in the target facility.

7. A method for preventing condensation using a computer, comprising: A step of acquiring forecast information regarding future weather in the area where the target facility is located; A process of executing a prediction process by a computer to predict the average temperature in the location area from the present time to a predetermined time point in the future and the dew point temperature in the location area at the predetermined time point based on the forecast information; and if, in at least one of the prediction processes, the dew point temperature is equal to or higher than the average air temperature and the difference between the dew point temperature and the average air temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, a process for dealing with the occurrence of condensation within the target facility is executed by a computer.

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