Heavy rain damage mitigation system and heat exchange control method
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing heat exchange control devices, such as those described in Patent Document 1, fail to address the accumulation of heat in areas prone to sudden heavy rain, which can lead to the heat island effect and potential damage from downpours.
A system comprising an observation sensor to detect signs of heavy rain and a heat exchange control unit that adjusts heat exchange operations between various components of an air conditioning and hot water supply system to prevent heat emission during rain, utilizing a heat exchange control device with symptom information acquisition and control units.
The system effectively disperses accumulated heat and reduces the likelihood of sudden heavy rain by adjusting heat exchange operations, thereby mitigating the heat island effect and potential damage.
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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchange control device, a heat exchange control method, an air conditioning and hot water supply device, and a heavy rain damage reduction system. [Background technology]
[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is a heat exchange control device that controls an air conditioner (air conditioner) in cooling operation and a hot water storage unit. As an example of such a heat exchange control device, Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner that, when the outside temperature is high in summer, instead of discharging heat from the outdoor unit of the air conditioner operating in cooling mode, provides heat generated in the indoor unit of the air conditioner to hot water in a bathtub. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-101518 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] The air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not release heat from the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, so it can suppress the rise in outside temperature that is one of the causes of the heat island effect, but it has the problem of not being equipped with a means to eliminate the heat that has accumulated in areas where signs of sudden heavy rain are occurring.
[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a heat exchange control device that can eliminate heat accumulating in areas where signs of sudden heavy rain are occurring. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In accordance with the present disclosure Heavy rain damage reduction system teeth, an observation sensor that, when detecting signs of heavy rain by observing water vapor, transmits sign information indicating that there are signs of heavy rain;and a heat exchange control unit that stops heat exchange by the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and blows air from the outdoor unit while the symptom information acquisition unit is acquiring the symptom information. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to eliminate heat that has accumulated in areas where signs of sudden heavy rain are occurring. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing a heavy rain damage reduction system including a heat exchange control device 6 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram showing hardware of a heat exchange control device 6 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer when the heat exchange control device 6 is realized by software, firmware, or the like. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the mechanism by which torrential rain occurs. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a mechanism for suppressing the occurrence of sudden heavy rain. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a heat exchange control method, which is a processing procedure of the heat exchange control device 6. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water supply device 2 when symptom information is acquired while the air conditioner is performing cooling operation. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water supply device 2 when symptom information is not acquired while the air conditioner is performing cooling operation. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water supply device 2 when symptom information is not acquired while the air conditioner is not in cooling operation. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water supply device 2 when symptom information is acquired while the air conditioner is not in cooling operation. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water supply device 2 when symptom information is not acquired while the air conditioner is performing cooling operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In order to explain the present disclosure in more detail, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0010] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a heavy rain damage reduction system including a heat exchange control device 6 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the heat exchange control device 6 according to the first embodiment. The heavy rain damage reduction system shown in FIG. 1 includes an observation sensor 1 and an air conditioning and hot water supply device 2.
[0011] The observation sensor 1 is installed in a location where there is a possibility of signs of sudden heavy rain. The observation sensor 1 detects signs of heavy rain by observing water vapor. When the observation sensor 1 detects a sign of heavy rain, it transmits to the air conditioning and hot water supply apparatus 2 sign information indicating that there is a sign of heavy rain.
[0012] The air conditioning and hot water supply device 2 includes an indoor unit 3 of an air conditioner (air conditioner), an outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner, a hot water storage unit 5, and a heat exchange control device 6. The hot water storage device 5 includes a heat pump unit having a heat exchanger and a hot water storage unit that stores hot water. The heat exchange control device 6 includes a symptom information acquisition unit 11 and a heat exchange control unit 12.
[0013] The symptom information acquiring unit 11 is realized by, for example, a symptom information acquiring circuit 21 shown in FIG. The symptom information acquisition unit 11 acquires symptom information from the observation sensor 1 that indicates that there is a symptom of heavy rain. When the symptom information acquisition unit 11 acquires the symptom information, it outputs the symptom information to the heat exchange control unit 12.
[0014] The heat exchange control unit 12 is realized by, for example, a heat exchange control circuit 22 shown in FIG. When the symptom information acquisition part 11 acquires symptom information while the air conditioner is performing cooling operation, the heat exchange control part 12 causes heat exchange between the hot water storage unit 5 and the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner while blowing air from the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner. When the air conditioner is performing cooling operation, if symptom information is not acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11, the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat exchange between the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner and the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner.
[0015] 1, it is assumed that the symptom information acquisition unit 11 and the heat exchange control unit 12, which are components of the heat exchange control device 6, are each realized by dedicated hardware as shown in Fig. 2. In other words, it is assumed that the heat exchange control device 6 is realized by a symptom information acquisition circuit 21 and a heat exchange control circuit 22. Each of the symptom information acquisition circuit 21 and the heat exchange control circuit 22 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.
[0016] The components of the heat exchange control device 6 are not limited to those realized by dedicated hardware, and the heat exchange control device 6 may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is stored as a program in the memory of a computer. A computer refers to hardware that executes the program, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, processor, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor).
[0017] FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer when the heat exchange control device 6 is realized by software, firmware, or the like. When the heat exchange control device 6 is realized by software, firmware, or the like, a program for causing a computer to execute the respective processing procedures of the symptom information acquisition unit 11 and the heat exchange control unit 12 is stored in the memory 31. Then, a processor 32 of the computer executes the program stored in the memory 31.
[0018] 2 shows an example in which each of the components of the heat exchange control device 6 is realized by dedicated hardware, and Fig. 3 shows an example in which the heat exchange control device 6 is realized by software, firmware, etc. However, this is just one example, and some of the components in the heat exchange control device 6 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the remaining components may be realized by software, firmware, etc.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the mechanism by which torrential rain occurs. For example, anthropogenic heat emissions, including heat from air conditioners and factories, contribute to rising ground temperatures. Surface heat can rise due to turbulence, for example, from buildings. The rising heat can cause cumulonimbus clouds, which can result in sudden downpours. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the mechanism for suppressing the occurrence of sudden heavy rain. When observation sensor 1 detects signs of heavy rain by observing water vapor, it transmits sign information indicating the presence of signs of heavy rain to air conditioning and hot water supply apparatus 2. When air conditioning and hot water supply apparatus 2 receives the sign information from observation sensor 1, it causes heat exchange between hot water storage unit 5 and air conditioner indoor unit 3 to occur, while blowing air from air conditioner outdoor unit 4 so as not to emit exhaust heat from air conditioner outdoor unit 4. This reduces artificial exhaust heat and also makes it possible to disperse heat trapped in areas where signs of a sudden downpour are occurring. As a result, it is expected that the development of cumulonimbus clouds will be suppressed, reducing damage caused by sudden downpours.
[0020] Next, the operation of the heavy rain damage reduction system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a heat exchange control method, which is a processing procedure of the heat exchange control device 6. The observation sensor 1 detects signs of heavy rain by observing water vapor. For example, when the amount of water vapor exceeds a threshold, the observation sensor 1 determines that there are signs of heavy rain. When the observation sensor 1 detects a sign of heavy rain, it transmits to the air conditioning and hot water supply apparatus 2 sign information indicating that there is a sign of heavy rain.
[0021] When symptom information is output from the observation sensor 1, the symptom information acquisition unit 11 acquires the symptom information. When the symptom information acquisition unit 11 acquires the symptom information, it outputs the symptom information to the heat exchange control unit 12.
[0022] When the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode (step ST1 in Figure 6: YES), if symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11 (step ST2 in Figure 6: YES), the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat to be exchanged between the hot water storage unit 5 and the air conditioner's indoor unit 3 (step ST3 in Figure 6) while blowing air from the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4 (step ST4 in Figure 6), as shown in Figure 7. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water supply device 2 when symptom information is acquired while the air conditioner is performing cooling operation. In the example of Figure 7, high-temperature gas generated in the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner is given to the hot water storage unit 5, and the heat exchanger of the hot water storage unit 5 uses the high-temperature gas to boil water. Meanwhile, low-temperature gas generated in the heat exchanger of the hot water storage unit 5 is given to the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner, and cool air is output from the indoor unit 3. In the example of FIG. 7, high-temperature gas generated in the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner is not output from the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner, so the output of artificial exhaust heat is suppressed. 7, air that does not contain exhaust heat is output to the outside from the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner. This makes it possible to disperse the heat that has accumulated in areas where there are signs of sudden heavy rain.
[0023] When the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode (step ST1 in FIG. 6: YES), if no symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11 (step ST2 in FIG. 6: NO), the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat exchange between the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner and the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner, as shown in FIG. 8 (step ST5 in FIG. 6). FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water supply device 2 when no symptom information is acquired while the air conditioner is performing cooling operation. In the example of Figure 8, high-temperature gas generated in the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner is supplied to the outdoor unit 4. On the other hand, low-temperature gas taken in by the outdoor unit 4 is supplied to the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner, and cool air is output from the indoor unit 3. In the example of Figure 8, although air containing exhaust heat is output from the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4 to the outside, if no symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11, no symptoms of heavy rain have been detected, and therefore even if air containing exhaust heat is output to the outside, there is little possibility of a sudden downpour occurring.
[0024] When the air conditioner has stopped cooling operation (step ST1 in Figure 6: NO), if no symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11 (step ST6 in Figure 6: NO), the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat exchange between the hot water storage unit 5 and the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4, as shown in Figure 9 (step ST7 in Figure 6). FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water supply device 2 when no symptom information is acquired while the air conditioner is not in cooling operation. In the example of FIG. 9, the gas taken in by the outdoor unit 4 is given to the hot water storage unit 5, and the heat exchanger of the hot water storage unit 5 uses the gas to boil water. In the example of Figure 9, although air containing exhaust heat is output from the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4 to the outside, if no symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11, no symptoms of heavy rain are detected, so even if air containing exhaust heat is output to the outside, there is little possibility of a sudden downpour occurring.
[0025] When the air conditioner is not in cooling operation (step ST1 in FIG. 6: NO), if symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11 (step ST6 in FIG. 6: YES), the heat exchange control unit 12 causes the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4 to blow air (step ST4 in FIG. 6), as shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water supply device 2 when symptom information is acquired while the air conditioner is not in cooling operation. In the example of Fig. 10, air that does not contain exhaust heat is output to the outside from the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner. This makes it possible to disperse the heat that has accumulated in areas where there are signs of sudden heavy rain.
[0026] In the above-described first embodiment, the heat exchange control device 6 is configured to include a symptom information acquisition unit 11 that acquires symptom information indicating the presence of symptoms of heavy rain from an observation sensor 1 that detects symptoms of heavy rain, and a heat exchange control unit 12 that, if symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11 while the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, causes heat exchange between the hot water storage unit 5 having a heat exchanger and the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner while causing air to be blown from the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner. Therefore, the heat exchange control device 6 can eliminate heat that has accumulated in an area where symptoms of a sudden downpour are occurring.
[0027] In the first embodiment, the heat exchange control device 6 is configured so that, when the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, if no symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11, the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat exchange between the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner and the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner. Therefore, the heat exchange control device 6 can eliminate heat accumulated in areas where symptoms of a sudden downpour are occurring, and can also improve the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner.
[0028] In the first embodiment, the heat exchange control device 6 is configured so that, when the air conditioner is not in cooling operation and no symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11, the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat exchange between the hot water storage unit 5 and the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner. Therefore, the heat exchange control device 6 allows the hot water storage unit 5 to boil water.
[0029] In the first embodiment, the heat exchange control device 6 is configured so that, when the air conditioner has stopped cooling operation and symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11, the heat exchange control unit 12 causes the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4 to blow air. Therefore, the heat exchange control device 6 can eliminate heat that has accumulated in an area where a symptom of a sudden downpour is occurring, even when the air conditioner has stopped cooling operation.
[0030] Embodiment 2 In embodiment 2, when the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, if no symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11, the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat exchange between the hot water storage unit 5 and the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner, or between the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner and the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner, and also describes a heat exchange control device 6 that allows heat exchange between the hot water storage unit 5 and the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner.
[0031] The configuration of the heavy rain damage reduction system of embodiment 2 is the same as the configuration of the heavy rain damage reduction system of embodiment 1, and the configuration diagram showing the heavy rain damage reduction system of embodiment 2 is Figure 1.
[0032] The operation of the heavy rain damage reduction system according to the second embodiment will be described. When the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, if no symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11, the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat exchange between the hot water storage unit 5 and the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner, or between the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner and the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner, as shown in Figure 11. Here, the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat to be exchanged either between the hot water storage unit 5 and the air conditioner indoor unit 3, or between the air conditioner indoor unit 3 and the air conditioner outdoor unit 4. However, this is merely one example, and the heat exchange control unit 12 may cause heat to be exchanged between the hot water storage unit 5 and the air conditioner indoor unit 3, and also between the air conditioner indoor unit 3 and the air conditioner outdoor unit 4.
[0033] In addition, the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat to be exchanged between the hot water storage unit 5 and the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner, for example, when a user performs a water boiling operation or when the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage unit 5 decreases. For example, if the above-mentioned operation is not performed and the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage unit 5 has not decreased, the heat exchange control unit 12 does not output a command to perform heat exchange between the hot water storage unit 5 and the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water supply device 2 when no symptom information is acquired while the air conditioner is performing cooling operation. By exchanging heat as described above, the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner can be improved and the hot water storage unit 5 can boil water. In the example of Figure 11, air containing exhaust heat is output from the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4 to the outside, but if no symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11, no symptoms of heavy rain have been detected, so even if air containing exhaust heat is output to the outside, there is little chance of a sudden downpour occurring.
[0034] In addition, the present disclosure allows for free combination of the respective embodiments, modification of any of the components of the respective embodiments, or omission of any of the components of the respective embodiments. [Industrial Applicability]
[0035] The present disclosure can eliminate heat accumulating in areas where signs of sudden heavy rain are occurring, and can be used in heat exchange control devices, heat exchange control methods, air conditioning and hot water supply devices, and heavy rain damage reduction systems. [Explanation of symbols]
[0036] 1 observation sensor, 2 air conditioning and hot water device, 3 indoor unit, 4 outdoor unit, 5 hot water storage unit, 6 heat exchange control device, 11 symptom information acquisition unit, 12 heat exchange control unit, 21 symptom information acquisition circuit, 22 heat exchange control circuit, 31 memory, 32 processor.
Claims
1. An observation sensor that, when it detects signs of heavy rain by observing water vapor, transmits sign information indicating that there are signs of heavy rain, A sign information acquisition unit that acquires the sign information from the observation sensor, While the symptom information acquisition unit acquires the symptom information, the heat exchange control unit stops the heat exchange by the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and blows air from the outdoor unit. A heavy rain damage mitigation system equipped with this system.
2. The heat exchange control unit, The heavy rain damage reduction system according to claim 1, characterized in that, while the sign information is acquired by the sign information acquisition unit, heat is transferred from the indoor air taken in by the indoor unit of the air conditioner to the water in the hot water storage unit.
3. The heat exchange control unit, The heavy rain damage reduction system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the air conditioner is in cooling operation, if no sign information is acquired by the sign information acquisition unit, heat exchange is performed between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.
4. The heat exchange control unit, The heavy rain damage reduction system according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the air conditioner is not in cooling operation, if no sign information is obtained by the sign information acquisition unit, heat exchange is performed between the hot water storage unit and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.
5. The heat exchange control unit, The heavy rain damage reduction system according to claim 1, 2, or 4, characterized in that when the air conditioner is not in cooling operation, if the indicator information acquisition unit acquires indicator information, air is blown from the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.
6. The heat exchange control unit, The heavy rain damage reduction system according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, if no sign information is acquired by the sign information acquisition unit, heat exchange is performed between the hot water storage unit and the indoor unit of the air conditioner, or between the indoor unit of the air conditioner and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, as well as heat exchange is permitted between the hot water storage unit and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.
7. An observation sensor that, when it detects signs of heavy rain by observing water vapor, transmits sign information indicating that there are signs of heavy rain, The indoor unit of the air conditioner, The outdoor unit of the aforementioned air conditioner, A hot water storage unit having a heat exchanger, An indicator information acquisition unit that acquires the indicator information from the observation sensor, While the symptom information acquisition unit acquires the symptom information, the heat exchange control unit stops the heat exchange by the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and blows air from the outdoor unit. Equipped with, The heat exchange control unit, A heavy rain damage reduction system that, while the aforementioned indication information is acquired by the aforementioned indication information acquisition unit, transfers heat from the indoor air taken in by the indoor unit of the air conditioner to the water in the hot water storage unit.
8. When the observation sensor detects signs of heavy rain by observing water vapor, it transmits sign information indicating that there are signs of heavy rain. The symptom information acquisition unit acquires the symptom information from the observation sensor, The heat exchange control unit stops heat exchange by the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and blows air from the outdoor unit while the indicator information is being acquired by the indicator information acquisition unit. Heat exchange control method.