Ventilation hood and ventilation system

Abstract

A ventilation hood provided in a housing that houses an electric device, the ventilation hood comprising: a metal plate that closes a ventilation port of the housing; a drive device that moves the metal plate so as to connect the indoor side and the outdoor side of the housing during ventilation in the housing; and a cover that is provided so as to cover a gap between the metal plate and the housing, except for the lower portion of the gap, during ventilation in the housing.

Description

Ventilation hoods and ventilation systems

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for ventilating the inside of a housing that houses an electrical device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a ventilation hood that prevents wind and rain from entering the ventilation duct inside the hood. The hood that covers the ventilation opening is box-shaped. The ventilation hood is fixed to the exterior wall of a building.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-174434

[0004] Consider a case where an enclosure containing electrical equipment is ventilated in a severe environment, such as strong winds or extremely cold regions. In this case, with the ventilation hood of Patent Document 1, foreign matter such as dust and rainwater may enter the interior of the enclosure through the ventilation openings. Furthermore, condensation may form inside the enclosure. In such a case, there is a risk of failure of the electrical equipment (especially electronic components, etc.).

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can properly ventilate a housing that houses electrical equipment even in a harsh environment.

[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a ventilation hood provided in a housing that stores electrical equipment. The ventilation hood includes a metal plate that closes a ventilation opening in the housing, a drive device that moves the metal plate so as to connect the inside and outside of the housing when ventilating the inside of the housing, and a cover that is provided to cover a gap between the metal plate and the housing except for a bottom surface of the gap when ventilating the inside of the housing.

[0007] A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a ventilation system including a ventilation hood provided in a housing that houses electrical equipment, and a controller provided inside the housing, wherein the controller controls a drive device to adjust the degree of opening between the metal plate and the housing based on at least an internal temperature of the housing and an outside air temperature.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a ventilation hood includes a metal plate that closes a ventilation opening in a housing, a drive unit that moves the metal plate to connect the interior and exterior of the housing when ventilating the housing, and a cover that covers the gap between the metal plate and the housing, except for the underside of the gap, when ventilating the housing. This allows the ventilation hood to change its opening position depending on weather and temperature conditions. Therefore, it is possible to properly ventilate a housing that houses electrical equipment, even in harsh environments.

[0009] The ventilation system further includes the ventilation hood and a controller installed inside the housing. The controller controls the drive device to adjust the degree of opening between the metal plate and the housing based on at least the internal temperature of the housing and the outside air temperature. This changes the degree of opening of the ventilation hood depending on weather and temperature conditions. Therefore, it is possible to properly ventilate the housing that houses electrical equipment even in harsh environments.

[0010] It is a diagram for explaining an overview of a ventilation system. It is a diagram for explaining a first configuration example of a ventilation hood. It is a diagram for explaining a second configuration example of a ventilation hood. It is a block diagram showing an example of a control configuration of a ventilation hood.

[0011] A ventilation hood and a ventilation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Elements common to the drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0012] 1. Overview of the Ventilation System FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the ventilation system 1. The ventilation system 1 includes a housing 2 and a ventilation hood 10. The housing 2 is installed outdoors. The housing 2 may be, for example, a transportable container. The housing 2 houses electrical equipment 5 and a controller 20. Examples of the electrical equipment 5 include a power receiving device for supplying power to a load in a factory or the like (e.g., a device driven by a DC power source, a device equipped with an inverter, etc.), a power conditioner for a solar panel, etc. The controller 20 controls the opening and closing of the ventilation hood 10. Details of the controller 20 will be described later.

[0013] The ventilation hood 10 is used to ventilate the air inside the housing 2. One purpose of the ventilation hood 10 is to cool the internal temperature of the housing 2. For example, because the housing 2 houses an electrical device 5, the internal temperature of the housing 2 rises due to heat generated by the electrical device 5 while the electrical device 5 is in operation. To cool the internal temperature of the housing 2, the ventilation hood 10 is provided at the ventilation opening 3 of the housing 2. The ventilation hood 10 is provided at least at the ventilation opening 3 on the intake side of the housing 2. The ventilation hood 10 may be provided at both the ventilation opening 3 on the intake side of the housing 2 and a ventilation opening (not shown) on the exhaust side of the housing 2. In this way, the internal temperature of the housing 2 can be cooled by using a fan provided inside the housing 2 to draw in outside air and exhaust the hot air inside the housing 2 to the outside.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the ventilation hood 10 is deployed away from the housing 2 when ventilating the inside of the housing 2. This allows the housing 2 to take in outside air. The ventilation hood 10 also prevents rain, dust, snow, etc. from entering when taking in outside air, thereby preventing breakdown of the electrical equipment 5.

[0015] 2. Examples of the Configuration of the Ventilation Hood Two examples of the configuration of the ventilation hood 10 will be described below.

[0016] 2-1. First Example FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) are diagrams illustrating a first configuration example of the ventilation hood 10. In the first configuration example, the ventilation hood 10 includes a metal plate 11, a drive unit 12, and a cover 13, as shown in FIG. 2(A). The metal plate 11 has a shape that allows it to cover the ventilation opening 3 of the housing 2. The metal plate 11 is formed, for example, so that it widens toward the housing 2.

[0017] The metal plate 11 is fixedly attached to the drive unit 12. Specifically, both the upper and lower parts of the metal plate 11 are attached to the drive unit 12. When ventilating the inside of the housing 2, the drive unit 12 moves the metal plate 11 so as to connect the inside and outside of the housing 2. As shown in FIG. 2(B) , the drive unit 12 is a cylinder that uses a solenoid or actuator, for example, to extend and retract a rod 12A, to the tip of which the metal plate 11 is fixed, in one direction. The rod 12A is also referred to as a cylinder 12A. The drive unit 12 moves the metal plate 11 in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the housing 2. This enables the metal plate 11 to open and close.

[0018] The cover 13 is provided to cover the gap between the metal plate 11 and the housing 2 except for the bottom surface of the gap when ventilating the inside of the housing 2. Specifically, the cover 13 is provided to cover the top surface and the left and right side surfaces of the gap. This allows outside air that has entered from the bottom surface of the gap to be taken into the inside of the housing 2 through the ventilation opening 3. The cover 13 is made of, for example, cloth, and is stored folded inside the metal plate 11 and unfolded when ventilating the inside of the housing 2.

[0019] 2-2. Second Example Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a second configuration example of the ventilation hood 10. In the second configuration example, the ventilation hood 10 includes a metal plate 11, a drive unit 12, and a cover 13, as shown in Fig. 3. The metal plate 11 has a shape that allows it to cover the ventilation opening 3 of the housing 2. As in the first example described above, the metal plate 11 may be formed so that it widens toward the housing 2.

[0020] The upper part of the metal plate 11 is fixedly attached to the housing 2, and the lower part of the metal plate 11 is attached to the driving device 12. The driving device 12 rotates the metal plate 11 around an axis 16 provided on the upper part of the metal plate 11. The driving device 12 performs driving in the same manner as in the first example described above. This allows the metal plate 11 to be opened and closed.

[0021] The cover 13 is provided to cover the gap between the metal plate 11 and the housing 2 except for the bottom surface of the gap when ventilating the inside of the housing 2. Specifically, the cover 13 is provided to cover the left and right side surfaces of the gap. As a result, outside air that has entered from the bottom surface of the gap is taken into the inside of the housing 2 through the ventilation opening 3. The cover 13 may be made of cloth, as in the first example described above. In this case, the cover 13 (cloth) is folded and stored inside the metal plate 11, and unfolded when ventilating the inside of the housing 2.

[0022] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the control configuration of the ventilation hood 10. The opening and closing of the ventilation hood 10 is controlled by the controller 20. As described above, the controller 20 is provided inside the housing 2. The controller 20 controls the drive device 12 to adjust the degree of opening between the metal plate 11 and the housing 2 based on at least the internal temperature of the housing 2 and the outside air temperature.

[0023] Specifically, the controller 20 acquires the internal temperature of the housing 2 using a temperature sensor 31 provided inside the housing 2. The controller 20 acquires the outside air temperature of the housing 2 using a temperature sensor 32 provided outside the housing 2. The outside air temperature may be air temperature information acquired from an external device (not shown). In this case, the air temperature information is stored in the controller 20.

[0024] The controller 20 determines whether the internal temperature is equal to or higher than a reference temperature based on the internal temperature. The reference temperature is, for example, a temperature at which the operating temperature of the electrical device 5 is within an appropriate temperature range and forced air cooling is required. If the internal temperature of the housing 2 is determined to be equal to or higher than the reference temperature and the outside air temperature is lower than the internal temperature, the controller 20 controls the drive device 12 to adjust the degree of opening between the metal plate 11 and the housing 2 to an opening degree (also referred to as a first opening degree) that allows for the intake of a ventilation amount necessary to cool the internal temperature. In this case, the controller 20 may control the opening degree to be fully open.

[0025] When it is determined that the internal temperature of the housing 2 is lower than the reference temperature, the controller 20 controls the drive device 12 to adjust the opening degree to less than the first opening degree. In this case, the controller 20 may control the opening degree to be fully closed.

[0026] Here, consider a case where the electrical device 5 is operated in a low-temperature environment. A low-temperature environment means, for example, a temperature lower than the lower limit of the appropriate temperature range in which the electrical device 5 can operate. In this case, if the degree of opening between the metal plate 11 and the housing 2 is large, the amount of ventilation that takes in outside air increases, and it is expected that the operating temperature of the electrical device 5 will fall below the lower limit of the appropriate temperature range. This may affect the operation of the electrical device 5. Therefore, the degree of opening between the metal plate 11 and the housing 2 may be adjusted based on the temperature difference between the internal temperature of the housing 2 and the outside air temperature.

[0027] Specifically, when the internal temperature is equal to or higher than a reference temperature, the external temperature is lower than the internal temperature, and the temperature difference between the internal temperature and the external temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the controller 20 may control the drive device 12 to adjust the opening degree between the metal plate 11 and the housing 2 to an opening degree (also referred to as a second opening degree) smaller than the first opening degree. This makes it possible to appropriately ventilate the housing 2 that houses the electrical device 5 while suppressing the amount of ventilation that takes in low-temperature external air and not affecting the operation of the electrical device 5.

[0028] In this case, the controller 20 may adjust the opening degree at a speed slower than usual, thereby suppressing condensation inside the housing 2 and preventing breakdown of the electrical device 5.

[0029] As another example, consider a case where the electrical device 5 is operated in bad weather, such as during a typhoon. In this case, if the gap between the metal plate 11 and the housing 2 is large, foreign matter (e.g., dust, rainwater) may enter the housing 2. This may cause a malfunction of the electrical device 5. Therefore, the gap between the metal plate 11 and the housing 2 may be adjusted based on the outdoor wind speed.

[0030] Specifically, the controller 20 acquires wind speed information outside the housing 2. The wind speed information may be acquired by an anemometer (not shown) provided outside the housing 2 or from an external device. When the internal temperature is equal to or higher than a reference temperature, the outside air temperature is lower than the internal temperature, and the wind speed outside the housing 2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined air volume, the controller 20 may control the drive device 12 to adjust the opening degree between the metal plate 11 and the housing 2 to an opening degree (also referred to as a third opening degree) smaller than the first opening degree. This reduces the ventilation rate of outside air intake, preventing foreign matter from entering the housing 2 and not affecting the operation of the electrical device 5. This allows the housing 2 housing the electrical device 5 to be properly ventilated.

[0031] 4. Effect According to the present disclosure, the ventilation hood 10 includes a metal plate 11 that closes the ventilation opening of the housing 2, a drive unit 12 that moves the metal plate 11 to connect the interior and exterior of the housing 2 when ventilating the interior of the housing 2, and a cover 13 that is provided to cover the gap between the metal plate 11 and the housing 2 except for the underside of the gap when ventilating the interior of the housing 2. This allows the opening degree of the ventilation hood 10 to be changed depending on the weather and temperature conditions. Therefore, it is possible to properly ventilate the housing 2 that houses the electrical equipment 5 even in harsh environments.

[0032] Furthermore, the ventilation system 1 includes the ventilation hood 10 and a controller 20 provided inside the housing 2. The controller 20 controls the drive device 12 to adjust the degree of opening between the metal plate 11 and the housing 2 based on at least the internal temperature of the housing 2 and the outside air temperature. This allows the degree of opening of the ventilation hood 10 to be changed depending on the weather and temperature conditions. Therefore, it is possible to properly ventilate the housing 2 that houses the electrical equipment 5 even in harsh environments.

[0033] 1... ventilation system, 2... housing, 3... ventilation outlet, 5... electrical equipment, 10... ventilation hood, 11... metal plate, 12... drive device, 12A... cylinder, 13... cover, 16... shaft center, 20... controller, 31, 32... temperature sensor

Claims

1. A ventilation hood that is provided in a housing that stores electrical equipment, comprising: a metal plate that closes a ventilation hole in the housing; a drive device that moves the metal plate so as to connect the inside and outside of the housing when ventilating the inside of the housing; and a cover that is provided to cover the gap between the metal plate and the housing except for the underside of the gap when ventilating the inside of the housing.

2. A ventilation hood as claimed in claim 1, wherein both the upper and lower parts of the metal plate are attached to the drive unit, and the drive unit moves the metal plate in a direction perpendicular to the side of the housing.

3. A ventilation hood as described in claim 1, wherein the upper part of the metal plate is fixedly attached to the housing, the lower part of the metal plate is attached to the drive unit, and the drive unit rotates the metal plate around an axis provided on the upper part.

4. A ventilation hood according to claim 1, wherein the drive device is a cylinder that expands and contracts in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the housing.

5. A ventilation hood as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover is made of cloth, and the cloth is folded and stored inside the metal plate and unfolded when ventilation is performed inside the housing.

6. A ventilation system comprising: the ventilation hood according to claim 1; and a controller provided inside the housing, wherein the controller controls the drive device to adjust the degree of opening between the metal plate and the housing based on at least the internal temperature of the housing and the outside air temperature.

7. A ventilation system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to: control the drive device to adjust the opening degree to a first opening degree that can take in the amount of ventilation required to cool the internal temperature when the internal temperature is equal to or higher than a reference temperature and the outside air temperature is lower than the internal temperature; and control the drive device to adjust the opening degree to less than the first opening degree when the internal temperature is lower than the reference temperature.

8. A ventilation system as described in claim 7, characterized in that the controller is configured to control the drive device to adjust the opening degree to a second opening degree smaller than the first opening degree when the internal temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature, the outside air temperature is lower than the internal temperature, and the temperature difference between the internal temperature and the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

9. A ventilation system according to claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the opening degree at a speed slower than normal.

10. A ventilation system as described in claim 7, characterized in that the controller is configured to control the drive device to adjust the opening degree to a third opening degree smaller than the first opening degree when the internal temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature, the outside air temperature is lower than the internal temperature, and the wind speed outside the housing is equal to or higher than a predetermined air volume.

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