WO2002013351A1

WO2002013351A1 - Electric power device controller and working power control system using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2002013351A1
Application number: PCT/JP2000/005254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Setsuo Arita; Yuji Ichinose; Takao Yanai
Original assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-08-04
Filing date: 2000-08-04
Publication date: 2002-02-14

Abstract

When a stop command signal is outputted to an electric power device in which power cut-off erases preset operating conditions, the operation of the load of the power device is stopped while power is supplied to a circuit where the operating conditions are stored. Since the operation of the load is stopped in response to the stop command signal, the working power can be reduced. Besides, since power is supplied to the circuit where the operating conditions are stored, the operating conditions are not erased, and the operation in accordance with the operating conditions is maintained when the operation is restarted. When an operation command signal is outputted during power cut-off to a power device that goes to a stand-by state when the power is re-supplied after the power cut-off, the power is re-supplied and an operation command signal is outputted. By supplying the power again when the operation command signal is outputted, the power device is brought into a stand-by state, and by applying the operation command signal, the power device in a stand-by state starts to operate.

Description

Specification

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a power device control apparatus and a power control system using the same.

The present invention relates to a power device control device that controls a power device so that the power consumption of a power consumer having a plurality of power devices does not exceed a preset allowable power value, and a power control system using the same. Background art

In general, a power customer who has a plurality of power devices sets a power allowance (contract power) according to a contract with a power company, and monitors power usage so that the power used does not exceed the power allowance. Have been done. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 57-156629 describes this method of monitoring power usage by assigning priorities to power devices that can be shut off, and when power usage is likely to exceed the allowable power value, a part of the monitoring is performed based on the priority. It states that shutting off the power to the power equipment will stop the power equipment and prevent the used power from exceeding the allowable power value. It also states that if there is a margin between the used power and the allowable power value, the power is re-input to the shut-down power equipment. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-32658 discloses another conventional technique that describes controlling power devices so that the power consumption does not exceed the allowable power value.

However, when controlling power devices according to the above-described conventional technology, there are power devices that cannot be operated in a state before the power interruption when the power is turned on again after the power interruption. Considering a general household as an example of a power consumer, for example, if a user shuts off power to a power device such as an air conditioner or an electric stove whose temperature has been set, even if the temperature setting is erased and power is turned on again, The operation according to the temperature setting before the power cutoff cannot be performed. Therefore, the user of the power equipment has to set the temperature again, which is very complicated. Also, in the case of power equipment such as a VCR or a rice cooker that has a timer setting, the timer setting is erased by turning off the power, and the operation starts at the desired time even if the power is turned on again. Can not be done. Therefore, the user of the power equipment must set the timer again, which is very complicated. In addition, some power devices do not operate even if power is supplied without a user's operation instruction (for example, a television or audio device). When the power is turned on again, the power equipment will not operate unless the user gives an operation instruction, and the same operation as before the power interruption will not be possible. Therefore, the user of the power equipment has to give the operation instruction again, which is very complicated. In a power device that does not operate without an operation instruction from a user, a state in which power is supplied but is not operating is referred to as a standby state in this specification.

As described above, in a power consumer in which operating conditions such as a temperature and a timer set by power interruption are erased, and in a power consumer having a power appliance that enters a standby state when re-input after power interruption, If the monitoring of the power consumption (control of the power equipment) described in the related art of [1] is performed, the power equipment cannot be operated at the time of re-input of power as before the power interruption. Therefore, the user of the power equipment has to set the erased operating conditions again or give an operation instruction to operate the power equipment again, which is very complicated. Disclosure of the invention

An object of the present invention is to eliminate operating conditions set by power interruption. Power equipment that can be turned off or re-entered after a power cut-off, and can be put into a standby state when the power is turned on again. An object of the present invention is to provide a control device and a power control system using the control device.

The feature of the present invention that achieves the above object is that, when a stop command signal is output to a power device in which the operating condition set by power interruption is deleted, the operating condition is stored in the power device. To supply power to the circuit and to stop the operation of the load in the power equipment. According to the present invention, when a stop command signal is output to a power device in which an operating condition set by power interruption is erased, power is supplied to a circuit that stores the operating condition. When the operation conditions are not deleted and the operation is requested again, the operation can be performed under the operation conditions. In addition, since the load operation is stopped in response to the stop command signal, power consumption can be reduced. In general, most of the power consumption in power equipment is consumed by the load, and stopping the load can significantly reduce the power consumption. Here, the load is a device that actually performs a desired operation for the electric power device, and corresponds to, for example, a mobile device or a mobile device.

A feature of the present invention that achieves the above object is that when power is turned off and power is turned on again when power is turned off, the power is turned on again and an operation instruction signal is output. Is to give. According to the present invention, when an operation is requested again at the time of power cutoff of a power device that is in a standby state at the time of power supply after power cutoff, power is turned on again and an operation instruction signal is given, so that power operation is given. Operation can be performed when re-input. Note that the standby state is a state in which the device is not operating even when power is supplied. State. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power control system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an example of data stored in a database 400 of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the power device control device 7 in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the processing in the determination unit 7100 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart in the determination unit 7100 in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the process in the judgment processing unit 401 of FIG. 1, FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a power control system according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. Is a configuration diagram of the power equipment control device 7a 'in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is an example of data stored in the database 403 in FIG. 7, and FIG. FIG. 11 is an external view of a power device control device 7 a ′. FIG. 11 is a power device management device used in a power control system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a power device control device used in a power control system according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a power device control device of FIG. It is an external view of an apparatus. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, a case will be described in which the power consumption in a general household is monitored and controlled. However, the present invention is not limited to general households, and is not limited to general households. Power system).

(Example 1)

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a power control system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing an example applied to a general household. In Fig. 1, there are TV 10, air conditioner 20, dryer 30 and electronic range 40 as power equipment. The power consumption of each is TV: 60 [W], air conditioner: 80 0 [W], dryer: 1200 [W], microwave oven: 100 [W]. The allowable power value (contract power) is 300000 [W].

Here, the features of each power device will be described. First, the television 10 does not operate even if power is supplied unless an operation instruction signal from the remote controller 105 is given. That is, unless an operation instruction signal is given from the remote controller 105 by the user, no image is displayed on the display screen. Note that a state in which power is supplied and the desired operation as a power device is not performed (a video is not projected in the case of a television) is called a standby state. That is, the standby state is a state in which an operation instruction signal from the user is waiting. Similarly to the television 10, the air conditioner 20 does not operate (cooling / heating or air blowing) without an operation instruction signal from the remote control 205. That is, the air conditioner 20 also has a standby state. In addition, the air conditioner 20 is given operating conditions such as an operation mode and a temperature setting by a user, and the air conditioner 20 operates according to the given operating conditions. Note that the TV 10 and the air conditioner 20 consume power even in a standby state, but the value is sufficiently smaller than the power consumption during operation. On the other hand, the dryer 30 is a power device whose operation Z stop is controlled by the ON / OFF of the switch. When the switch is in the OFF state, no electric power is supplied, and the dryer 30 does not have a standby state. Lastly, the microwave oven 40, like the dryer 30, is a power device whose operation is controlled by a user's switch (button) operation, and does not have a standby state.

Note that these power devices may be forcibly stopped during operation. There are things that cannot be stopped. For example, the microwave oven 40 is a power device that cannot be forcibly stopped because cooking will fail if it is forcibly stopped during cooking. On the other hand, TV 10, air conditioner 20 and dryer 30 are power devices that can be forcibly stopped without any problem even if they are forcibly stopped during operation. For power devices that can be forcibly stopped, the user sets in advance the stop priority (the order of power devices that can be stopped by the user). As will be described later, the stop priority set by the user is stored in the database 403 of the power device management apparatus 4. Power equipment that can be forcibly stopped is provided with a power equipment control device.

In the present embodiment, in the power system having each of the power devices described above, the television 10 is newly operated from the standby state while the air conditioner 20 and the microwave oven 40 are operating, and then the dryer 30 is further operated. The case of operating is described. First, a case will be described in which the television 10 is newly operated from the standby state while the air conditioner 20 and the microwave oven 40 are operating. Note that the standby state of the television 10 is, specifically, a state in which power is supplied to the control circuit 102 and the load 104 is stopped. In FIG. 1, a power receiving device 1 receives commercial power supplied from a power company and outputs power required by each power device. Now, since the air conditioner 20 and the microwave oven 40 are operating, the power receiving device 1 outputs 1800 [W] of power. Also, a very small amount of power is supplied to the control circuit 102 for the television 10 in the standby state.

The power output from the power receiving device 1 is transferred to the power line 2 and connected to the power device control device 7a connected to the outlet 6a, the power device control device 7b connected to the outlet 6b, and the outlet 6d. Electricity Entered in 40. In the power device control device 7a, the plug 701 is connected to the outlet 6a, and power is taken into the power device control device 7a via the plug 701, and the power device control device 7a receives the power. The power taken in is output from outlet 706.

As shown in the figure, a plug 101 of the television 10 is connected to an outlet 706 of the power device control device 7a, and the power output from the outlet 706 is taken into the television 10. As described above, since the television 10 is in the standby state, the taken power is supplied to the control circuit 102. The control circuit 102 is a circuit that controls the ONZOFF of the television 10 by controlling the drive circuit 103 to operate / stop the load 104 .The control of the drive circuit 103 is This is performed according to the user's instruction from the remote controller 105. Since the television 10 is in a standby state, the load 104, which is a device for displaying an image on the display screen, is stopped.

The power device control device 7b has the same configuration as the power device control device 7a, and power is output from the outlet 706. A plug 201 of the air conditioner 20 is connected to the outlet 706, and the electric power output from the outlet 706 is taken into the air conditioner 20. In the air conditioner 20, the taken power is supplied to the control circuit 202 and the drive circuit 203. The control circuit 202 controls ON / OFF of the air conditioner 20 by stopping the load 204 by controlling the drive circuit 203. The control of the drive circuit 203 The operation is performed in accordance with the user's instruction from the remote controller 205 and the temperature set by the user and the operation mode. The set temperature and operation mode are stored in the control circuit 202. 20 is in operation, the load 204 is driven by the drive circuit 203. The load 204 refers to a device that performs cooling, heating, air blowing, and the like. Is a circuit for causing the load 204 to perform a desired operation.

The microwave oven 40 is connected to the outlet 6d by a plug 401, and the microwave oven 40 operates by the power output from the outlet 6d. As described above, since the microwave oven 40 is a power device that cannot be forcibly stopped, no power device control device is provided.

When the user gives an operation instruction signal to the television set 10 in the standby state using the remote controller 105, the television set 10 changes from the standby state to the operation state. Specifically, the control circuit 102 that has received the operation instruction signal controls the drive circuit 103 to drive the load 104. By driving the load 104, the TV 10 requires 80 [W] of power, which is supplied via the power line 2 and the power device control device 7a.

In the power device control device 7a, the power supplied to the television 10 is input from the plug 701, which is connected to the outlet 6a, and the outlet 70, to which the plug 101 of the television 10 is connected. Output from 6. On the way, the current value is measured by the current detector 705, and the measured current value is input to the arithmetic processing unit 704.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the arithmetic processing unit 704. As shown in the figure, the current value measured by the current detector 705 is input to the power calculator 715, and the power calculator 715 consumes the TV 10 based on the input current value. Required power. Specifically, since the voltage is constant at 100 [V] in ordinary households, the input current value is multiplied by 100 [V] to obtain the power value. As described above, since the power consumed by the TV 10 is 80 [W], the current value measured by the current detector 705 is 0.8 [A], and the power calculation unit 7 15 The required power value is 80 [W]. The power calculation unit 715 outputs the obtained power value to the determination unit 710, and the determination unit 710 receives the input power value. The power value and the address “1” assigned in advance to the power device control device 7 a are given to the communication circuit 703. The communication circuit 703 associates the input address with the power value and superimposes the current on the power line 2. Since this is a generally known power line carrier technology, detailed description is omitted.

The address and the power value superimposed on the current are read by the communication circuit 404 of the power device management device 4, and the communication circuit 404 determines the read address and the power value by the determination processing unit 410. Output to The determination processing unit 401 checks the power device connected to the power device control device of the input address with reference to the database 403, and determines whether the checked power device is currently operating. Is checked with reference to the operation history of the power device stored in the operation management section 402. FIG. 2 is an example of the data stored in the database 403. Now, since the address input to the judgment processing unit 401 is “1”, it is found from the data of the database 403 that the address “1” corresponds to the power equipment control device 7a. It can also be confirmed that the power device connected to the device 7a is the television 10. Also, as described above, since the television 10 was in the standby state, the operation management unit 402 stores that the television 10 was in the standby state, and accordingly, the determination processing unit 401 has It is determined that 10 has changed from the standby state to the operation state.

When there is a newly activated power device, the determination processing unit 401 determines whether or not the operation of the power device should be permitted. In determining whether to permit the operation, the determination processing unit 401 reads the allowable power value stored in the database 403 and outputs the power value from the wattmeter 3 that measures the power value output from the power receiving device 1. Input power value. The power devices operating at this point are TV 10, air conditioner 20 and microwave oven 40, so the power value output from wattmeter 3 is 186 W [W]. You. The determination processing unit 410 compares the input power value with the allowable power value and determines whether the power value is less than the allowable power value. As described above, the power value is 1860 [W] and the allowable power value is 30000 [W], so the power value is less than the allowable power value. If the power value is less than the allowable power value, the determination processing unit 401 determines that it is safe to operate the newly activated power device (in this case, the television 10), As a result, the communication circuit 40 outputs the address (in this case, “1”) assigned to the power device control device to which the power device is connected and the operation permission signal. In addition, the determination processing unit 401 adds the start of the operation of the television 10 to the operation history stored in the operation management unit 402 as a result of permitting the operation of the television 10. The communication circuit 404 associates the input address with the operation permission signal and superimposes the current on the power line 2.

The communication circuit 703 of the power device control device 7a receives the address superimposed on the current and the operation permission signal, and outputs the received signal to the determination unit 7110. Since the address associated with the operation permission signal is “1”, the determination unit 710 recognizes that the operation permission signal is for itself, and has determined that the operation of the television 10 has been permitted. Check.

As shown in the figure, a breaker 5 is provided on the power line 2, and cuts off the power when the power output from the power receiving device 1 exceeds the allowable power value. Breaker 5 determines from the current flowing through power line 2 that the used power has exceeded the allowable power value. In other words, since the voltage is constant at 100 [V] in ordinary households, if the current exceeds 300 [A], it can be determined that the used power has exceeded the allowable power value of 300 [W]. Breaker 5 shuts off power when the current flowing through power line 2 exceeds 30 [A]. As described above, the current power consumption is 1860 [W], so the current flowing through power line 2 is Since it is 18.6 [A] and 30 [A] or less, the breaker 5 does not cut off the power. However, as will be described later, there is a time delay in the power cutoff operation of the breaker 5, and just because the power used exceeds the power allowable value does not mean that the power is cut off immediately.

As described above, even if the TV 10 is operated while the air conditioner 20 and the microwave oven 40 are operating, the operation of the TV 10 is not performed because the used power is less than the allowable power value. Allowed. As described above, the television 10 and the air conditioner 20 are provided with the power device control devices 7a and 7b, whereas the microwave oven 40 is not provided with the power device control device. This is because the TV 10 and the air conditioner 20 are set as power devices that can be forcibly stopped to reduce power consumption, while the microwave oven 40 is compulsory to reduce power consumption. This is because they are set as power devices that must not be stopped. In other words, the power device control device is a device that controls power devices to reduce power consumption as described later, and is used in a microwave oven 40 that is set as a power device that must not be stopped to reduce power consumption. Need not be provided.

Next, a case will be described in which the driver 130 is operated while the television 10, the air conditioner 20 and the microwave oven 40 are operating.

The plug 310 of the dryer 30 is connected to the outlet 706 of the power equipment controller 7c connected to the outlet 6c, and when the dryer 30 starts to operate by the switch operation by the user, the power equipment controller 7 Power of 1200 W [W] is supplied to the dryer 30 via c. The power device control device 7c obtains the power value, and outputs the power value to the power device management device 4 in association with the address “3” assigned to itself. The configuration of the power device control device 7c is the same as that of the power device control device 7a. Since the operation is the same, detailed description is omitted.

The determination processing unit 401 of the power equipment management device 4 refers to the database 400 and the operation management unit 402 to indicate that the dryer 30 connected to the power equipment control device 7c has newly started operation. Confirm. Next, the determination processing unit 401 reads out the allowable power value stored in the database 403 and inputs the power value output from the wattmeter 3. The power devices operating at this point are TV 10, air conditioner 20, dryer 30, and microwave oven 40, so the power value output from wattmeter 3 is 360 0 [W]. is there. The determination processing unit 401 compares the input power value with the power allowance value, and the power value (3060 [W]) exceeds the power allowance value (3000 [W]). Therefore, it is determined that it is necessary to stop the power equipment in order to reduce the used power to the power allowable value or less.

In determining the power devices to be stopped, the determination processing unit 401 refers to the stop priority of each power device stored in the database 403. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the stop priority of the television 10 connected to the power device control device 7a is “1”, and the air conditioner 2 connected to the power device control device 7b. The stop priority of 0 is “2”. Also, the stop priority of the dryer 30 connected to the power equipment control device 7 c is “3”. On the other hand, there is no stop priority in the microwave oven 40 in which the power device control device is not provided, that is, the microwave oven 40 in which forcible stop is impossible. This stop priority indicates that the smaller the numerical value is, the more the power device may be stopped. The stop priority is set by the user using an input device (not shown), and can be set according to the user's preference.

Based on the stop priority stored in the database 403, the determination processing unit 401 first determines the power consumption when the TV 10 is stopped. Check if the power is below the allowable value. Since the input measured power value is 3060 [W] and the power consumption of the TV 10 is 60 [W], the power consumption when the TV 10 is stopped is 3600 [W] — 6 0 [W) = 3 00 0 [W], which is still below the power allowance of 3 00 0 [W]. Therefore, the determination processing unit 401 confirms whether or not the power consumption is below the allowable power value when the air conditioner 20 having the next highest stop priority after the television 10 is stopped. Since the power consumption of the air conditioner 20 is 800 CW], the power used when the air conditioner 20 is stopped is 3600 [W]-800 [W] = 2260 [W]. Below the permissible value 300 [W]. Therefore, the determination processing unit 401 determines that the air conditioner 20 is to be stopped, and outputs to the communication circuit 404 the address “2” of the power device control device 7 b to which the air conditioner 20 is connected and a stop command signal. On the other hand, since the operation of the dryer 30 is permitted, the judgment processing unit 401 permits the operation with the address “3” of the power device control device 7 c to which the dryer 30 is connected to the communication circuit 404. A signal is output, and the operation start of the dryer 30 is added to the operation history stored in the operation management unit 402.

The communication circuit 404 multiplexes the stop command signal with the current flowing through the power line 2 in association with the address “2”, and multiplexes the operation permission signal with the current flowing in the power line 2 in association with the address “3”. Weight. The current including the address “2” and the stop command signal, and the current including the address “3” and the operation permission signal are taken into each power equipment control device 7 a, 7 b, 7 c via the power line 2. The determination unit 710 of each power device control device 7a, 7b, 7c checks whether the addresses "2" and "3" superimposed on the current are their own addresses, and checks their own addresses. Otherwise, the associated signal is ignored. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the determination unit 7110 of the power appliance control device 6a ignores the signal. You. On the other hand, the determination unit 7110 of the power equipment control device 6c recognizes that the operation permission signal associated with the address “3J” is directed to itself, and determines that the operation of the dryer 30 has been permitted. On the other hand, the determination unit 7110 of the power device control device 6b in which the address “2” superimposed on the current coincides with its own address determines the drive circuit 71 based on the stop command signal. 1 to output a stop instruction signal (power-off signal) from the signal generator 7 12 driven by the drive circuit 7 1 1. This stop instruction signal is equivalent to the stop instruction signal output from the remote controller 205.

The stop instruction signal output from the signal generator 7 1 2 of the power equipment control device 7 b is received by the control circuit 202 of the air conditioner 20, and the control circuit 202 changes the drive circuit 203 according to the stop instruction signal. To stop supplying power to the load 204. By stopping the load 204 of the air conditioner 20 in this manner, most of the power consumed by the air conditioner 20 is reduced. That is, in the air conditioner 20, the power consumed by the control circuit 202 is sufficiently smaller than the power consumed by the load 204, and the power reduction can be achieved only by stopping the load 204. Well fulfilled. As described above, the state in which the load is stopped while the power is supplied is referred to as a standby state, that is, the air conditioner 20 is set in the standby state by the power device control device 7b. In this standby state, since power is supplied to the control circuit 202, the operating conditions such as the temperature setting and the operation mode stored in the control circuit 202 remain stored without being erased. .

As described above, by putting the air conditioner 20 into the standby state (that is, stopping the load 204), the power consumed by the air conditioner 20 becomes almost 0 [W], and in the power system shown in FIG. The consumed power (power consumption) is about 226 [W], which is below the allowable power value. This implementation In the example, the power consumption becomes 360 0 [W] immediately after the operation of the dryer 30, but since the breaker 5 operates with a time delay, the air conditioner 20 is immediately put into the standby state, and the breaker 5 is used. There is no power interruption. In other words, the air conditioner 20 was put into a standby state before the breaker 5 was operated, and the electric power used was reduced to the electric power allowable value or less. As described above, when the dryer 30 is used, the air conditioner 20 having a higher stop priority than the dryer 30 is set in the standby state, so that the breaker 5 can be operated even when the dryer 30 is used. Therefore, the user can use the dryer 30.

The power device control device 7b detects that the power value consumed by the air conditioner 20 has become almost 0 [W] by the operation of the current detector 705 and the power calculation unit 715, and The power value = 0 [W] is output to the power management device 4 in association with “2”. The power device management device 4 recognizes that the air conditioner 20 connected to the power device control device 7b is in a standby state from the input power value (0 CW) associated with the input address “2”. The forced operation stop of the air conditioner 20 is added to the operation history stored in the power management unit 402. It should be noted that the forced stop for reducing power consumption and the stop due to the user's instruction are stored in the operation management unit 402 separately as the forced stop and the operation stop, respectively.

When the air conditioner 20 is in a standby state, the dryer 30 is used, and the use of the dryer 30 is finished, that is, when the operation of the dryer 30 is stopped by a user's switch operation, the power supplied to the dryer 30 is 0. [W] In response, the power device control device 7c outputs the power value = 0 [W] to the power device management device 4 in association with its own address “3”. The determination processing section 401 of the power equipment management device 4 determines that the input address “3” From the power value = 0 (W), it is recognized that the dryer 130 connected to the power equipment control device 7c has stopped, and the operation of the dryer 30 is stopped in the operation history of the operation management section 402. to add.

When the dryer 30 is stopped, the power consumption becomes 1.060 CW). The wattmeter 3 measures the value of the used power and outputs it to the determination processing unit 401 of the power equipment management device 4. The determination processing unit 401 compares the input measured power value (1060 [W]) with the allowable power value (3000 [W]). Now, since the measured power value is lower than the allowable power value, the determination processing unit 401 determines whether or not it is possible to restart the power device that has been forcibly stopped to reduce the power consumption. Since the power devices that were forcibly stopped to reduce power consumption are stored in the operation history of the operation management unit 402 as operation forced stop, the data stored in the operation management unit 402 The power equipment that was forcibly stopped is determined with reference to.

The determination processing unit 401 determines from the storage contents of the operation management unit 402 that the air conditioner 20 has been forcibly stopped (it is in a standby state) and stores it in the database 4003. The power consumption when the air conditioner 20 is operated is calculated from the power consumption value of the air conditioner 20 being used. Now, the power consumption is 1.060 [W] and the power consumption of the air conditioner 20 is 800 [W], so the power consumption when the air conditioner 20 is operated again is 1860 [W]. W]. Further, the determination processing unit 401 compares the calculated power consumption with the allowable power value, and when the calculated power usage is lower than the power allowable value, operates the power device that has been forcibly stopped again. Output signal. In the case of the present embodiment, the power consumption when the air conditioner 20 is operated again is 186 0 [W], which is less than the allowable power value 3 00 [W]. 0 1 to operate the air conditioner 20 again, And outputs the operation command signal to the communication circuit 404 in association with the address “2” of the power equipment control device 7 b connected to the power circuit 20. The communication circuit 404 superimposes the current flowing through the power line 2 in association with the input address and the operation command signal.

In the power equipment control device 7b, the operation command signal associated with its own address “2” is input, so that the determination unit 7110 controls the drive circuit 7 1 1 and the signal generator 7 1 2 Output the operation instruction signal (power-on signal). This operation instruction signal is equivalent to the operation instruction signal output from remote controller 205. The operation instruction signal output from the signal generator 7 12 is received by the control circuit 202 of the air conditioner 20, and the control circuit 202 to which the operation instruction signal is input controls the drive circuit 203 To operate the load 204. At this time, since the control circuit 202 controls the drive circuit 203 based on the operating conditions (operation mode, temperature setting, etc.) stored in the control circuit 202, it is controlled by the drive circuit 203. The load 204 operates according to the operating conditions set by the user.

As described above, in this embodiment, even when the power consumed by the power device is reduced in order to reduce the power consumption, the circuit in which the operating conditions are stored has a large power consumption while the power is supplied. Since the operation of the load is stopped, the operating conditions required when the load is operated again are not eliminated while reducing the power. Therefore, when the load is stopped to reduce the power consumption and then operated again, the load can be operated in the same state as before the stop.

Here, the processing in the determination unit 7100 of the power device control devices 7a to 7c will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Fig. 4 shows a case where the power equipment management device 4 determines whether or not the power equipment can operate. FIG. 5 shows a process when the power device is operated / stopped based on an instruction from the power device management device 4.

First, FIG. 4 will be described. First, in step S401, data (power value) from the power calculator 715 is fetched. Next, in step S402, it is determined whether the power value has increased from zero.If the power value has increased from zero, the process proceeds to step S403.If the power value has not increased from zero, the process proceeds to step S404. Proceed to 8. When the power value increases from zero, it means that the power equipment is newly operating. In step S 403, the power value is transmitted to the power device management apparatus 4, and it is determined in step S 404 whether an operation permission signal has been transmitted from the power management apparatus 4. If it is determined in step S404 that the operation permission signal has come, the process returns to step S401.If it is determined that the operation permission signal has not come, the process proceeds to step S405 and the power device management device 4 It is determined whether a stop command signal has been received. In step S405, when it is determined that the stop command signal has not come, the process returns to step S404, and when it is determined that the stop command signal has come, the process proceeds to step S406. . In step S406, an alarm output process is performed, and then, in step S407, a power device (load) stop process is performed. Note that the alarm output processing is to output an alarm from the lamp 707 and the speaker 708 in order to notify the user that the power device cannot be operated. On the other hand, if the process proceeds to step S408, it is determined whether the power value has decreased from a certain value to zero, and if it has decreased to zero, the process proceeds to step S409. If it has not decreased to zero, the process returns to step S401. In step S409, the fact that the power value is zero is transmitted to the power device management apparatus 4, and the process returns to step S401.

Next, FIG. 5 will be described. First, in step S501, the communication circuit The data from 703 (data sent from the power equipment management device 4) is taken in. In step S502, it is determined whether a stop command signal has been sent from the power equipment management device 4.If it is determined that a stop command signal has been sent, the process proceeds to step S503, where the stop command signal is output. If it is determined that it has not come, the process proceeds to step S505. In step S503, the power device (load) is stopped, and in step S504, the fact that the power value has become zero is transmitted to the power device management device 4. If the operation proceeds to step S505, it is determined whether or not an operation command signal has been sent from the power device management device 4. If the operation command signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S506 to check the power device (load). Perform operation processing. If it is determined in step S505 that no operation command signal has been received, the process returns to step S501.

The processing of FIGS. 4 and 5 described above may be performed in parallel or in series in the determination unit 7100.

Next, the processing in the determination processing unit 401 of the power device management apparatus 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. First, in step S601, data is taken in from the communication circuit 404, and in step S602, it is determined whether or not there is a power device that is newly operating. If it is determined that there is a newly activated power device, the process proceeds to step S603, and the current power value output from wattmeter 3 is fetched. Further, in step S604, the measured power value is compared with the power allowance value. If the measured power value is equal to or greater than the power allowance value, the process proceeds to step S605, where the measured power If the value is less than the allowable power value, the process proceeds to step S608. In step S605, it is determined whether there is a power device that can be forcibly stopped in order to reduce the used power to a value equal to or less than the allowable power value. Proceed to 06 and there is no power device that can be stopped In this case, the process returns to step S601. In step S606, a stop command signal is output to the power device control device to which the power device that can be stopped is connected. After that, in step S607, it is determined whether the power device to which the stop command signal has been output is a newly activated power device, and if correct, the process returns to step S601, and if not, the step is performed. Proceeding to S608, an operation permission signal is output to the power device control device to which the newly activated power device is connected. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S602 whether there is any newly activated power device or not, and if there is no newly activated power device, the process proceeds to step S609 and the forcible operation is forcibly performed. Determine whether the stopped power device is operable. If it is determined in step S609 that operation is possible, the process proceeds to step S610, and an operation command signal is output to the power device control device to which the power device determined to be operable is connected. . If it is determined in step S609 that the operation cannot be performed, the process returns to step S601.

In the embodiment described above, the load priority of the air conditioner 20 was stopped because the stop priority of the air conditioner 20 was higher than the stop priority of the dryer 30. If the degree is high, a stop command signal is given to the power equipment control device 7c to which the dryer 130 is connected. Note that, since the dryer 30 has no standby state, the determination unit 7110 of the power control device 7c to which the stop command signal is given controls the circuit breaker control circuit 714 to operate the circuit breaker 7102. . As a result, the power supply to the dryer 30 is cut off, and the operation of the dryer 30 can be stopped. In this case, it is determined that the operation of the dryer 30 is impossible, an alarm is output by the lamp 707, and an audio alarm is output from the speaker 708. It is determined in advance whether or not the connected power device has a standby state. Stored in the section 7 10.

If the power consumption can be reduced to the contracted power or less by stopping the TV 10, the TV 10 is set to the standby state, as in the case of the air conditioner 20, or the dryer 30. The power supply may be stopped by operating the circuit breaker 702 as in the case of (1). Then, in order to operate the television 10 again based on the operation command signal when the television 10 is in the standby state, the operation processing unit 704 outputs an operation instruction signal. On the other hand, in order to restart the operation of the television 10 based on the operation command signal when the supply of electric power to the television 10 is interrupted, the interruption of the electric power by the circuit breaker 702 is stopped, and the arithmetic processing unit 7 An operation instruction signal is output from 04. As described above, according to the power equipment control device of the present embodiment, the operation instruction signal can be output to the power equipment in the standby state, so that the power equipment can be operated in the same manner as before the stop. Can be.

In the present embodiment described above, the case where there is a power device that can be cut off has been described. However, there is no power device that can be cut off (when the dryer 130 cannot be stopped), and the power used is the contract power. The power supply is cut off by the breaker 5 because the condition exceeding the limit is not resolved.

In this embodiment, the case where the television 10, the air conditioner 20, the dryer 130, and the microwave oven 40 are operated as the power equipment has been described. However, when the other home electric appliances (power equipment) are operated. Needless to say, the present invention can be similarly applied to this.

(Example 2)

A power control system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that three power devices are connected to one power device control device. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment Will be described.

In FIG. 7, televisions 10, audio devices 50, and desk lamps 60, which are power devices, are respectively connected to outlets 76 a, 709 b, and 709 c of the power device control device 7 a ′. Connected. Note that the audio device 500 is a power device that does not operate (eg, reproduce a CD) without an operation instruction signal from the remote controller 505, and has a standby state. The control circuit 502 controls the drive circuit 503 according to the operation instruction signal from the remote control 505 to operate the load 504. On the other hand, the electric stand 60 is a power device whose operation / stop is controlled by the ONZOFF of the switch. When the switch is at 〇FF, no electric power is supplied, so that the electric stand 60 does not have a standby state.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the power equipment control device 7a '. As shown in the figure, the power lines are branched such that the power taken from the plug 701 is output from each of the outlets 706 ac. Each of the branched power lines is provided with a circuit breaker 702 a- (: and a current detector 705 a- (; respectively. The power calculator 715 is provided with a current detector 705 a-c. Based on the detected current values output, the power values consumed by the TV 10, the audio device 50, and the desk lamp 60 connected to the outlets 706 ac, respectively, were calculated and calculated. The power value is output to the determination unit 7110. The method of calculating the power is the same as in the first embodiment.

As described above, the audio device 50 is a power device having a standby state, and the electric stand 60 is a power device having no standby state. Therefore, when a stop command signal is given from the power device management device 4 to the audio device 50, the load on the audio device 50 is controlled by a stop instruction signal from the signal oscillator 71 2b as in the case of the television 10. Stop 505. This implementation In the example, the signal oscillator 712a is used for the television 10 and the signal oscillator 712b is used for the audio device 50. However, if they can be shared, one may be used. On the other hand, since the electric stand 60 is a power device having no standby state, when a stop command signal is given, the circuit breaker control circuit 714 operates the circuit breaker 720c to operate the electric stand 60. Stop supplying power to 0. In the present embodiment, the control of the power used by the power device management device 4 (that is, control of each power device) is basically the same as in the first embodiment, but three power devices are provided in the power control device 7a '. Since they are connected, the way of address assignment is different from that of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing data stored in the database 403.As shown in the figure, the address is assigned to the power equipment control device 7a 'for each outlet 706a to c. Assigned and used for data transmission and reception.

FIG. 10 shows the appearance of the power equipment control device 7a '. As shown in Fig. 10 (a), the power equipment control device 7a 'has outlets 706a-c, lamps 707a-c, speakers 708, and a signal generator 712 on the front side. The plug 70 1 is provided on the back side. The lamps 707 ac are provided in association with the outlets 706 ac, respectively. Fig. 7 (b) shows a table that can be used in the same way as a table setting.

As described above, in this embodiment, since a plurality of power devices can be connected to one power device control device, the number of power device control devices can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment. The cost can be reduced.

(Example 3)

A power control system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a drive circuit and a signal generator are provided in the power equipment management device, and the operation of the power device is stopped from the power device management device. Example 2 differs from Example 2 in that Hereinafter, points different from the second embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 11, the power equipment management device 4 of the present embodiment includes drive circuits 405 ac and signal generators 406 ac. Although not shown, the data stored in the data base 403 includes information on whether or not the power device can be operated with a remote controller for each power device, thereby reducing power consumption. Therefore, if the power equipment determined to be stopped is operable with the remote control, a stop instruction signal is output from the signal generators 406 a to c of the power equipment management device 4 to put the power equipment in the standby state. I do. Similarly, when the power device that has been forcibly stopped is put into the operating state again, the power device is operated by outputting the operation instruction signal from the signal generators 406 a to (:) of the power device management device 4. For the power equipment that cannot perform the operation, the power supply is stopped by the power equipment control device as in the above-described embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, since a power device control device that determines operation / stop of each power device outputs a signal for controlling the power device, the responsiveness of control of the power device is improved, and the response of the breaker is improved. It is possible to secure margin.

(Example 4)

A power control system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a user inputs power consumption of a power device connected to the power device control apparatus. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 12 shows the configuration of a power equipment control device 7a 'of the present embodiment. Except for the power equipment control device 7a〃, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the power equipment control device 7a〃 of the present embodiment includes switches 716a to 716c. The switches 716 a to c are operated by the user when the power equipment is connected to the outlet 706, and the power calculator 715 is connected depending on which switch is closed. Determine the power consumption of the power equipment. For example, the power calculation unit 715 is 500 W when the switch 716 a is closed, 100 W when the switch 716 b is closed, and 100 W when the switch 716 b is closed. When 16 c is closed, it is determined to be 150 0 [W], and the power value is output to the determination unit 7 10. The determination unit 710 outputs the power value associated with the address to the communication circuit 703 as in the first embodiment, and the communication circuit 703 transmits the power value in association with the address.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the user inputs the power value consumed by the power device using the switch, the current detector is not needed, and the power consumption is also reduced before the power device is supplied with power. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the breaker 5 from shutting off the power even when the response related to the power adjustment of the system is slow.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an appearance of a power device control device 7a 'of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, switches 716 ac are provided next to the outlet 706, and the corresponding electric energy is displayed.

In each of the embodiments described above, data is exchanged between the power device management device and the power device control device by power line carrier. However, wireless communication using optical radio waves may be used. In that case, the power equipment management device and the power equipment control device are provided with a transmitting and receiving antenna instead of the communication circuit. When using power line carrier, there is a high possibility that a communication error will occur due to the superimposition of electric noise due to the operation of power devices (particularly inverters) on the power line, so take measures such as retransmitting the signal. Although it was necessary, wireless communication using light and radio waves resulted in low communication errors and high responsiveness. can do. As a result, the reliability of the system is improved. In addition, in each embodiment, the power devices are set to a standby state in order to reduce power consumption.However, if power consumption can be reduced by changing operating conditions such as temperature setting, the power devices are set to a standby state. The operating conditions may be changed without the need. Industrial applicability

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to monitoring of power consumption in power consumers such as ordinary households, buildings and factories. With this application, the power equipment can be operated in the same way as before the power interruption when the power is turned on again after the power interruption, and the power consumption can be controlled so as not to exceed the contracted power.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1.A power equipment control device that controls power equipment to be controlled based on a stop command signal given when the power used in a power system having a plurality of power equipment exceeds a predetermined allowable value At

When the control target power device is a power device that operates according to a preset operation condition,

A power device control device, comprising: stopping a load on the controlled power device based on the stop command signal, and supplying power to a circuit that stores the operating condition of the controlled power device.

2.After stopping the load of the controlled power device based on the stop command signal, driving the load based on an operation command signal given when the used power falls below the allowable value. The power equipment control device according to claim 1, wherein:

3.Stop supplying power to the power equipment to be controlled based on a stop command signal given when the power used in a power system with multiple power equipment exceeds a predetermined allowable value. In the power device control device, when the control target power device is a power device that operates in response to an operation instruction signal from the outside,

After stopping supply of power to the controlled power device that is operating based on the stop command signal, the control target is controlled based on an operation command signal given when the used power falls below the allowable value. A power device control device, comprising: starting supply of power to a power device and providing an operation instruction signal to the control target power device.

4.Control target in accordance with a command signal given based on the power used in a power system with multiple power devices and a predetermined allowable value In a power device control device for controlling power devices,

When the controlled power device is in a standby state when power is supplied in a state where power is not supplied, and is a power device that operates in response to an operation instruction signal from the outside in the standby state,

The controlled power device is set to a standby state based on a stop command signal given when the used power exceeds the allowable value, and the controlled power device is in a standby state and the used power is equal to the allowable value. A power equipment control device, wherein an operation instruction signal is given to the power equipment to be controlled based on an operation command signal given when the power supply voltage falls below the threshold.

5.Power equipment management that compares the power used in a power system having a plurality of power devices with a predetermined allowable value and outputs a stop command signal when the power used exceeds the allowable value. Device, and a power control system including a power device control device that controls a power device to be controlled based on the stop command signal.

The power device control device, wherein the load of the control target power device is stopped based on the stop command signal, and power is supplied to a circuit that stores the operation condition of the control target power device. Power control system.

6.A power device management device that outputs a command signal based on the power used in a power system having a plurality of power devices and a predetermined allowable value, and a power device that is controlled based on the command signal. Power control system including a power device control device for controlling devices,

The control target power device is powered on in a state where power is not supplied. When the power device is in a standby state when the power device is operated in response to an operation instruction signal from the outside in the standby state,

The power device control device sets the control target power device to a standby state based on a stop command signal given from the power device management device when the used power exceeds the allowable value, and the control target power device is An operation instruction signal is provided to the control target power device based on an operation command signal given from the power device management device when the power consumption falls below the allowable value in a standby state. Control system.

7. The power device management device and the power device control device are connected via a power line for transferring power, and the power device management device superimposes the command signal on a current flowing through the power line. 7. The power control system according to claim 5, wherein the power device control device reads the command signal superimposed on a current.

8.When the power used in a power system having a plurality of power devices exceeds a predetermined allowable value, control some of the plurality of power devices such that the used power falls below the allowable value. In the power consumption control method for reducing the power consumption by performing

When the power device to be controlled is a power device that operates according to a preset operating condition,

A used power control method, comprising: stopping a load on the controlled power device and supplying power to a circuit that stores the operating condition of the controlled power device.

9.A power control method for controlling some of the plurality of power devices based on power used in a power system having a plurality of power devices and a predetermined allowable value, When the power device to be controlled is a power device having a standby state, when the used power exceeds the allowable value, the control target power device is set to a standby state, and the control target power device is set to a standby state. And controlling the power device to be controlled when the power usage falls below the allowable value.

10.A plug to which power is input, an outlet for outputting power input from the plug, a communication circuit for reading a command signal superposed on the power input from the plug, and a communication circuit A signal generator that outputs an operation instruction signal for operating the power device in a standby state based on the read instruction signal; anda power output from the outlet based on the instruction signal read by the communication circuit. A power equipment control device, comprising: a circuit breaker for breaking off.