Heat-exchange control device, heat-exchange control method, hot-water supply air-conditioning device, and heavy rain damage reduction system

Abstract

A heat-exchange control device (6) is configured to comprise: a sign information acquisition unit (11) that acquires, from the outside, sign information indicating that there is a sign of heavy rain; and a heat-exchange control unit (12) that suspends heat exchange by an outdoor unit (4) of an air conditioner and discharges air from the outdoor unit while the sign information is acquired by the sign information acquisition unit.

Description

Heat exchange control device, heat exchange control method, air conditioning and hot water supply device, and heavy rain damage reduction system

[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.

[0002] There is a heat exchange control device that controls an air conditioner (air conditioner) in cooling operation and a hot water storage tank. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of such a heat exchange control device in which, when the outside temperature is high in summer, instead of discharging heat from the outdoor unit of the air conditioner in cooling operation, heat generated in the indoor unit of the air conditioner is supplied to hot water in a bathtub.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-101518

[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 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.

[0006] The heat exchange control device of the present disclosure includes a symptom information acquisition unit that acquires symptom information indicating that there are signs of heavy rain from an observation sensor that detects signs of heavy rain, and a heat exchange control unit that, when the symptom information acquisition unit acquires symptom information while the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, causes heat exchange between a hot water storage unit having a heat exchanger and the indoor unit of the air conditioner while blowing air from the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

[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.

[0008] 1 is a configuration diagram showing a heavy rain damage reduction system including a heat exchanger control device 6 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing hardware of the heat exchanger control device 6 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer when the heat exchanger control device 6 is realized by software, firmware, or the like. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a mechanism by which a sudden downpour occurs. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a mechanism by which a sudden downpour occurs. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a heat exchanger control method, which is a processing procedure of the heat exchanger control device 6. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water heater 2 when symptom information is acquired while the air conditioner is performing cooling operation. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water heater 2 when symptom information is not acquired while the air conditioner is performing cooling operation. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water heater 2 when symptom information is not acquired when the air conditioner has stopped cooling operation. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water heater 2 when symptom information is acquired while the air conditioner has stopped cooling operation. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water heater 2 when symptom information is acquired while the air conditioner has stopped cooling operation.

[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 embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the heat exchange control device 6 according to embodiment 1. 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 a sudden downpour. The observation sensor 1 detects signs of a heavy downpour by observing water vapor. When the observation sensor 1 detects signs of a heavy downpour, it transmits sign information indicating that there are signs of a heavy downpour to the air conditioning and hot water supply device 2.

[0012] The air conditioning and hot water supply system 2 includes an air conditioner indoor unit 3, an air conditioner outdoor unit 4, a hot water storage unit 5, and a heat exchange control device 6. The hot water storage unit 5 includes a heat pump unit having a heat exchanger and a hot water storage unit for storing 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 acquisition unit 11 is realized by, for example, a symptom information acquisition circuit 21 shown in Fig. 2. The symptom information acquisition unit 11 acquires symptom information indicating that there are symptoms of heavy rain from the observation sensor 1. 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, for example, by the heat exchange control circuit 22 shown in Fig. 2. If symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11 while the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, 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 while blowing air from the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4. If symptom information is not acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11 while the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat to be exchanged between the air conditioner's indoor unit 3 and the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4.

[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. That is, 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 corresponds to, 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. The computer refers to hardware that executes a program, and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

[0017] 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer when the heat exchange control device 6 is realized by software, firmware, etc. When the heat exchange control device 6 is realized by software, firmware, etc., a program for causing the computer to execute the respective processing procedures of the symptom information acquisition unit 11 and the heat exchange control unit 12 is stored in a 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, while Fig. 3 shows an example in which the heat exchange control device 6 is realized by software, firmware, etc. However, this is merely an 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 illustrating the mechanism by which torrential rain occurs. For example, artificial heat emissions, including heat emitted from air conditioners and factories, contribute to rising ground temperatures. Heat at the ground surface can rise due to turbulence from buildings, for example. The rising heat can cause cumulonimbus clouds, which can result in torrential rain. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the mechanism by which torrential rain is suppressed. When the observation sensor 1 detects signs of torrential rain by observing water vapor, it transmits sign information indicating the presence of torrential rain to the air conditioning and hot water supply system 2. When the air conditioning and hot water supply system 2 receives the sign information from the observation sensor 1, it causes heat exchange between the hot water storage unit 5 and the air conditioner indoor unit 3 while blowing air from the air conditioner outdoor unit 4 to prevent heat from being emitted from the air conditioner outdoor unit 4. This reduces artificial heat emissions and disperses heat accumulating in areas where signs of torrential rain are occurring. As a result, it is expected that the development of cumulonimbus clouds will be suppressed, reducing damage caused by sudden heavy rain.

[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 the processing procedure of the heat exchange control device 6. The observation sensor 1 detects signs of heavy rain by observing water vapor. For example, the observation sensor 1 determines that there are signs of heavy rain when the amount of water vapor exceeds a threshold. When the observation sensor 1 detects signs of heavy rain, it transmits sign information indicating that there are signs of heavy rain to the air conditioning and hot water supply device 2.

[0021] The symptom information acquiring unit 11 acquires the symptom information when it is output from the observation sensor 1. When the symptom information acquiring 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 FIG. 6 : YES), if the symptom information acquisition unit 11 acquires symptom information (step ST2 in FIG. 6 : YES), 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 (step ST3 in FIG. 6 ) and causes air to be blown from the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner (step ST4 in FIG. 6 ), as shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the air conditioning and hot water supply system 2 when symptom information is acquired while the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode. In the example of FIG. 7 , high-temperature gas generated in the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner is supplied 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 supplied 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 , the 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, thereby suppressing the output of artificial exhaust heat. 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 heat that has accumulated in an area where there are signs of a sudden downpour.

[0023] When the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode (step ST1 in FIG. 6 : YES), if the symptom information acquisition unit 11 does not acquire symptom information (step ST2 in FIG. 6 : NO), the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat exchange between the indoor unit 3 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 the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode and symptom information is not acquired. In the example of FIG. 8 , high-temperature gas generated in the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner is supplied to the outdoor unit 4. Meanwhile, 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 FIG. 8 , air containing exhaust heat is output to the outside from the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner. However, if the symptom information acquisition unit 11 does not acquire symptom information, a sign of heavy rain is not detected. Therefore, even if air containing exhaust heat is output to the outside, the possibility of a sudden downpour is low.

[0024] When the air conditioner is not operating in cooling mode (step ST1 in FIG. 6 : NO), if the symptom information acquisition unit 11 does not acquire symptom information (step ST6 in FIG. 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 (step ST7 in FIG. 6 ), as shown in FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 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 operating in cooling mode. In the example of FIG. 9 , gas taken in by the outdoor unit 4 is supplied 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 FIG. 9 , air containing exhaust heat is output from the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4 to the outside. However, if the symptom information acquisition unit 11 does not acquire symptom information, a sign of heavy rain is not detected. Therefore, even if air containing exhaust heat is output to the outside, the possibility of a sudden downpour is low.

[0025] When the air conditioner is not operating in cooling mode (step ST1 in FIG. 6 : NO), if the symptom information acquisition unit 11 acquires symptom information (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 operating in cooling mode. In the example of FIG. 10 , air that does not contain exhaust heat is output to the outside from the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4. This allows the heat accumulated in areas where there are symptoms of a sudden downpour to be dispersed.

[0026] In the first embodiment described above, 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 the observation sensor 1 that detects symptoms of heavy rain, and a heat exchange control unit 12 that, if the symptom information acquisition unit 11 acquires symptom information 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, the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat exchange between the indoor unit 3 and the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner if no symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11. 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, a heat exchange control device 6 will be described in which, if symptom information is not acquired by symptom information acquisition unit 11 while the air conditioner is performing cooling operation, heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat exchange between hot water storage unit 5 and indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner, or between indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner and outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner, and also allows heat exchange between hot water storage unit 5 and 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 now be described. When the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, if the symptom information acquisition unit 11 does not acquire symptom information, 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 FIG. 11 . Here, the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat exchange either 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. However, this is merely an example, and the heat exchange control unit 12 may cause heat exchange between the hot water storage unit 5 and the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner, and also between the indoor unit 3 of the air conditioner and the outdoor unit 4 of the air conditioner.

[0033] Furthermore, the heat exchange control unit 12 causes heat exchange between the hot water storage unit 5 and the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4, 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 operation is not performed and the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage unit 5 does not decrease, the heat exchange control unit 12 does not output a command to cause 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 hot water supply device 2 when symptom information is not acquired while the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode. By performing heat exchange as described above, the air conditioning efficiency of the air conditioner can be improved and the hot water storage unit 5 can boil water. In the example of FIG. 11 , air containing exhaust heat is output to the outside from the air conditioner's outdoor unit 4. However, if symptom information is not acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit 11, no sign of heavy rain is detected, and therefore, even if air containing exhaust heat is output to the outside, the likelihood of a sudden downpour is low.

[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.

[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.

[0036] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Observation sensor, 2 Air conditioning and hot water supply 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. A heat exchange control device comprising: a symptom information acquisition unit that acquires symptom information indicating that there are signs of heavy rain from the outside; and a heat exchange control unit that stops heat exchange by the outdoor unit of an air conditioner and blows air from the outdoor unit while the symptom information acquisition unit is acquiring the symptom information.

2. The heat exchange control device of claim 1, characterized in that the heat exchange control 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 while the symptom information is being acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit.

3. A heat exchange control device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the heat exchange control unit causes heat exchange between the indoor unit of the air conditioner and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner if no symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit when the air conditioner is performing cooling operation.

4. The heat exchange control device of claim 2, characterized in that the heat exchange control unit causes heat exchange between the hot water storage unit and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner if no symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit when the air conditioner has stopped cooling operation.

5. A heat exchange control device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the heat exchange control unit causes air to be blown from the outdoor unit of the air conditioner when symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit while the air conditioner is stopped from cooling operation.

6. The heat exchange control device of claim 2, characterized in that, when the air conditioner is performing cooling operation and no symptom information is acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit, the heat exchange control unit allows heat exchange 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, and also allows heat exchange between the hot water storage unit and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

7. A heat exchange control method, in which a symptom information acquisition unit acquires symptom information indicating that there are symptoms of heavy rain from the outside, and a heat exchange control unit stops heat exchange by an outdoor unit of an air conditioner and blows air from the outdoor unit while the symptom information acquisition unit is acquiring the symptom information.

8. An air conditioning and hot water supply system comprising: an indoor unit of an air conditioner; an outdoor unit of the air conditioner; a hot water storage unit having a heat exchanger; a symptom information acquisition unit that acquires symptom information indicating the presence of symptoms of heavy rain from outside; and a heat exchange control unit that stops heat exchange by the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and causes air to be blown from the outdoor unit while the symptom information is being acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit, wherein the heat exchange control 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 while the symptom information is being acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit.

9. A heavy rain damage reduction system comprising: an observation sensor that transmits symptom information indicating that there are signs of heavy rain; an indoor unit of an air conditioner; an outdoor unit of the air conditioner; a hot water storage tank having a heat exchanger; a symptom information acquisition unit that acquires the symptom information from the observation sensor; and a heat exchange control unit that stops heat exchange by the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and causes air to be blown from the outdoor unit while the symptom information is being acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit, wherein the heat exchange control 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 tank while the symptom information is being acquired by the symptom information acquisition unit.

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