JP2002369383A - Home electric appliances control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic operating and control system that monitors the operating conditions of each of home electric appliances operated simultaneously at home, and that harmonizes and controls each appliance so as not to exceed certain operating conditions. SOLUTION: A function is provided by suppressing total consumed power below a preset value so that the consumed power of a plurality of home electric appliances, to which an appliance controlling device 1 is connected for the control, does not exceed the preset value or when it has exceeded the value by deferring a period of time when the operation is interrupted. In a rice- cooking jar 3e, the cooking ends up with a bad finish if the operation is interrupted during cooking period. In an electric pot 3f, in contrast, it is good enough to get water boiled at the end of operation time. Thus, the power consumption by other appliances is avoided during these periods of time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a house monitoring system having a power monitoring function for home appliances such as a clothes dryer and a dishwasher installed in a home.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electric power distribution boards have been installed in general houses, and commercial power is distributed and supplied to outlets and lights in the houses. In some of such power distribution boards, the amount of electricity used can be determined based on the amount of current. As this type of power monitoring device, one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-2967771 is conventionally known.

[0003] The power monitoring device described in this document will be described. The current usage is displayed as a percentage (%) of a predetermined rated current that is lower than the contracted power. When the value exceeds 100%, the LED is blinked according to the stage, and the message “Use too much electricity” The user is notified by outputting a voice message such as "I." to encourage the user to use less electricity. The user can check how much the usage status of electricity at home with respect to the rated current limited to the power distribution board is used. When the power supply exceeds the allowable current with respect to the rated current, it has a peak cut function of automatically stopping the supply of power to the home electric appliances in a predetermined order.

[0004]

However, according to the above-mentioned prior art, the user can be conscious of the state of use of electricity. However, in general, household electric appliances are used independently in the home. No attempt is made to change the operating state in association with the operating state of other home appliances. For this reason, in order to drive home appliances that are operating at the same time with high efficiency, the user must end up operating the home appliances and stop the operation, start the operation with a time lag, and watch the operation status. However, it was necessary to control the power consumption by limiting it.

Further, in order to automatically operate home appliances such as a washing machine, a clothes dryer and a dishwasher while sleeping at night or when going out, the operation switches are simultaneously operated immediately before going to bed or immediately before going out. That is, even if the distribution board displays the operating state, the user who goes to bed or goes out does not use the information.

Further, in the above-mentioned prior art, when the set power is exceeded, the power supply is automatically stopped in a predetermined order. is there. For example,
When heating up like a rice cooker, rice cannot be cooked well if it keeps warm. Similarly, if stopped during washing in the washing machine, sewage could adhere to the fibers. However, in such a case, there is a problem that if the devices are operated at the same time, heaters with high power consumption, such as heaters, will be operated simultaneously, thereby exceeding the breaker capacity of the power distribution board. Driving noise is also generated at the same time, giving the user discomfort.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a driving control system for monitoring the operating status of home electric appliances that are simultaneously driven in a home, an intended purpose expected of the home electric appliances. It is intended to perform in-house power control without impairing the power.

A second object is to provide an automatic operation control system having a function of cooperatively controlling the operation state of home electric appliances in a home.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a home appliance having a function of monitoring a plurality of home appliances to be controlled, a function of communicating with the home appliance, and a power consumption of the home appliance. When the power consumption exceeds the set power consumption value, select a home appliance that can suspend operation,
And a function of interrupting the operation of the selected home electric appliance.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a home appliance provided with a device control device for monitoring power consumption of a plurality of home appliances to be controlled, wherein the device control device has a function of communicating with the home appliance. And, when the power consumption exceeds a set value, determines whether or not the operation can be interrupted based on the operation state of the home appliance, by providing a function to interrupt the operation of the home appliance capable of operation interruption Achieved.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a control apparatus for a home electric appliance having a function of communicating with a plurality of home electric appliances to be controlled. This is achieved by providing a function of generating an operation program for the home appliance so that the peak value of the home appliance does not exceed the set value.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a home appliance operation control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the dwelling unit, a device control device 1 for home electric appliances is installed, and the device control device 1 is connected to a power distribution board 2 via a signal line L. The power distribution board 2 monitors the power supplied to the dwelling unit and distributes and supplies the power to a branch circuit to which the home appliance 3 is connected. As the home appliance load device, a washing machine 3a, an air conditioner 3b, a clothes dryer 3c, Dishwasher 3
d, a jar rice cooker 3e, an electric jar pot 3f, and the like are connected to supply power to each. The devices connected as load devices are not limited to the above devices. A device for which power control is to be performed is connected to a dedicated terminal of the power distribution board 2 or only an information system (power supply is obtained from a power line). Other equipment, such as lighting, personal computers, vacuum cleaners,
Dryers, irons, televisions, microwave ovens, toasters, etc. are devices that are switched on as needed by the user and used (they are controlled against the user's will for power control, It does not perform individual control as other devices, but monitors power consumption collectively, and alerts the user when the power allocated to these other devices is exceeded. If the excess power of other devices can be compensated for by controlling the devices registered as control objects, the use is permitted without notifying the user. In addition, as for refrigerators, freshness of food cannot be maintained unless a predetermined cooling / freezing capacity is maintained, so it should basically be set as a separate frame as basic power consumption. Any possible refrigerator can be registered as a device to be controlled.

The power distribution board 2 includes a main breaker (not shown) that shuts off power supply when the amount of electricity used in the entire dwelling unit exceeds a preset amount, and a main breaker that supplies current through the main breaker. There is provided an ammeter 4 connected to the subsequent stage and measuring each branch breaker for distributing and supplying electricity. The ammeter 4 is provided for each device to be controlled, and the other devices are collectively provided with one ammeter (not shown). Electricity usage information corresponding to the power consumption measured by the ammeter 4 is sent to the device control device 1 via the signal line L.

The appliance control device 1 receives the electricity use information, confirms the operation status of each home appliance 3 (control target appliance) and predicts the current use according to the level of the amount of current measured by the ammeter 4. I do.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a main part of the automatic driving system shown in FIG. The device control device 1 includes a CPU 1a for controlling each unit, a database storage unit 1b, a signal transmission / reception unit 1c for controlling transmission via the signal line L, a display unit 1d including a display lamp and a liquid crystal screen, and various operation switches. And an audio IC 1f connected to an audio signal line and storing an alarm sound, a voice message, and the like.
And a speaker 1g, and a timer unit 1h for measuring a predetermined time.

The power distribution board 2 receives a signal indicating the operation status of the home electric appliance 3 connected to the power distribution board 2 and controls the signal transmission / reception section 2c which sends the signal to the equipment control device 1 and the respective sections. Operation terminal 2 composed of CPU 2a and various switches
e, a storage unit 2b, an ammeter 4, and a switch 2f for restricting power supply is provided for each load device.

The CPU of the power distribution board 2 is
, A current signal is measured by the ammeter 4, and electricity usage information is created based on the current signal. The information is transmitted from the signal transmitting and receiving unit 2 c to the device control device 1 via the signal line L. Send out. In the device control device 1, the CPU 1a
Receives the information through the signal transmission / reception unit 1c, based on the database of the operation program of the home electric appliance 3 connected to the power distribution board 2 stored in the database storage unit 1b, the power consumption, and the like, for a predetermined time. Predict current usage. If the current usage is predicted to exceed a predetermined amount, the operation priority of the home electric appliance 3 is determined based on the operation progress database, and information on the low-priority home electric appliance is transmitted and received. The signal is sent from the unit 1c to the power distribution board 2 through the signal line L. From the initial operating state,
When changing the operating state of the home electric appliance 3, the appliance control device 1 visually displays the changed operation on the display unit 1d. If necessary, the information is output from the speaker 1g by sound output using sound.

In this drawing, for simplification, the information system circuit and the power system circuit are shown by the same line, and a part of the power supply wiring is omitted. Also, in this figure, each home appliance 3 is controlled by the switch 2f. However, as described above, power is supplied from a common power line that is distinguished from other devices, and information is transmitted through a dedicated cable and a light. Information may be transmitted and received via a line, radio waves, and light, and the concept of the present invention is not limited to information transmission.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the contents of information of the home electric appliance 3 connected to the appliance control device 1 will be described. The home electric appliance 3 connected to the power distribution board 2 has an operation program having an order of each operation operation in a microcomputer of an operation board in the body. Then, in response to the operation status inquiry signal from the device control device 1 transmitted via the power distribution board 2, the home appliance 3 changes the current operation status and operation program via the power distribution board 2. The information is transmitted to the device control device 1. The electric home appliance 3 transmits information indicating the position address of the branch circuit of the power supply source together with the information on the operation status.

If the operation program is not stored in each device 3, the operation terminal 1e of the device control device 1
The user enters necessary information. Alternatively, the manufacturer or service company shown in 5 provides an operation program of each home appliance 3 to the user through the Internet 6, and the user downloads the operation program information from the Internet to each home appliance 3. Download to the control device 1.

In this figure, a method of exchanging information between the home electric appliance 3 and the appliance control device 1 via the power distribution board 2 has been described. It is also possible to perform mutual information communication between the device control device 3 and the device control device 1 by wireless communication.

Next, the operation priority order of the home electric appliance 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an example of an operation program of the home appliance 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electric home appliance 3 has the operation program in the microcomputer of the operation board in the body, and transmits the operation program information in accordance with a request from the device control device 1. The operation program is a sequence control set for each operation mode selected by the user (for example, “Normal” and “Isagi” in the case of a rice cooker), and an operation block for each operation sequence in this sequence control. And the required power amount and required time are stored.

Depending on the operation block, the home electric appliance 3
When the operation stop state which is not included in the control program described above is reached, the intended operation of the device may not be performed. Such an operation block is set to the priority order “1” and stored.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, as an example of setting the priority to "1", it is a period A during which the rice cooker is cooking rice, and a period B during which the dishwasher is cleaning the dishes. If the rice cooker stops while the rice cooker is cooking rice, the rice sucks excess water, so even if the rice cooker returns and rice continues to be cooked, the rice will have a sticky finish. . Also, if the dishwasher is powered off and stopped while the dishwasher is washing the dishes with detergent, the dishes etc. may be left unclean for a long time, leaving the dishes clean. Will decrease.

As described above, when the operating state of the home electric appliance 3 is stopped, a predetermined function may not be performed.
In such a case, the priority is assigned to the operation block as the priority “1”.

Next, the priority order 2 is assigned to an operation block which should not be delayed as much as possible. For example, in the case of a rice cooker, it is a heating (remaining heat) period until reaching a predetermined temperature, and in a dishwasher, it is a rinsing period.

Further, priority 3 is assigned to an operation block which may be temporarily stopped or delayed. For example, in the case of a rice cooker, it is a warming period, and in the case of a dishwasher, it is a drying period after washing and rinsing.

The operating state of each home appliance 3 in the operating program is given a priority order for each block according to the operating condition. Furthermore, the start time and the end time may be important depending on the properties of the home electric appliance 3.

For example, in the case of a rice cooker, when the user gets up in the morning, it is preferable that the rice cooker be freshly cooked than rice kept warm for several hours. If you use a washing machine at night, you want to quickly remove dirt, so you want to immediately wash it.However, leaving the laundry dehydrated for a long time causes problems such as color transfer between clothes and wrinkles There is a problem. Further, it is desirable that the dehydration be completed just before the time for drying the laundry, and there are many such requests.

When a certain operating state is stopped, a block in an operating state that cannot achieve its intended purpose is assigned a priority of 1, and the priority adopted by the user is given 2 or more. In addition to the priorities assigned during the operation program, the priorities can be input by the user using an input terminal connected to the device control device 1.

Similarly, the user can determine a priority item in the operation control of the household electric appliance 3 (described later).
When the priority item is the current amount, the rated current amount of the branch breaker can be selected, or it can be manually set by the operation terminal and stored in the storage unit. The set current amount is
Generally, the rated current value of the contracted current amount is set, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the user may set the set current amount to a value other than the rated current value for power saving. However, it is automatically selected below the breaking capacity of each of the main breaker and the branch breaker. As described above, the control target home electric appliance and the non-control target, which are other devices, are divided into the required current amount of the other devices from the contract current amount (or the measured current amount that changes every moment).
The current amount obtained by subtracting may be used as the current amount allocated to the control target home electric appliance.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the flow of the operation control system of the device control device 1 and the power distribution board 2 for monitoring the operation state of the connected home electric appliances will be described.

The power distribution board 2 confirms the reception of the current measurement command signal from the equipment control device 1 in STEP1, and measures the power amount of each connected branch circuit at regular intervals (STEP2) (STEP3). . The operation start of the connected home electric appliance is recognized by the fact that the measured current value has exceeded the predetermined standby current value (STEP 4). The power distribution board 2 that has captured the home appliance 3 whose operation has started transmits the operation information of the home appliance 3 to the device control device 1 (STEP 5). This is a device that does not have an operation program such as a timer reservation function,
For example, it is also effective for operation monitoring (other equipment) such as a desk lamp and a hair dryer. As one of the power usage information, there is power activation, and by measuring the power at regular intervals, the fact that the home appliance connected to the predetermined branch breaker is in an operating state is transmitted to the device control device 1 as power usage information. Send out.

Then, the appliance control device 1 watches the progress of the control program for each home appliance 3 stored in advance, and when the current exceeds the allocated current of the home appliance 3 to be controlled, the appliance control device 1 has the priority “3”. A home appliance 3 executing the block is searched for and a command to interrupt the operation is issued. If there is no home appliance 3 executing the priority order “3”, or if the current consumption exceeds the allocated current amount despite the interruption, the home appliance 3 executing the priority order “2”
And stop its operation. By this operation, it is possible to suppress the total power consumption to a predetermined value or less without impairing the function of the home electric appliance 3.

However, if only this is done, if all the home appliances 3 happen to be executing the block of priority "1", the device control device 1 falls out of control. In such a case, the problem is solved by notifying the user of the fact.

However, when the user is absent or sleeping, it is not appropriate to notify the user or to notify the user.

In this case, the user does not want to drive many home electric appliances at the same time and tries to operate the electric appliances in series. For this purpose, it is convenient to shift the operation time using the timer function of the home electric appliance 3. However, some of the home appliances 3 have no timer function. Furthermore, even if there is a timer function, the user can start operation from any device, anticipate the end time of the device that started operation first, consider the device that will start operation next, and set the timer Is very complicated.

Therefore, an example in which the household electric appliance 3 to be controlled is automatically operated in consideration of the total power consumption will be described below.

First, although it is automatic operation, it is not advisable to set it by the user because it is automatic. Therefore, an example of a flowchart for transmitting and receiving the set status of the home electric appliance 3 to be controlled is shown in FIG. The information that the device side is set (reservation of operation, that is, in a predetermined start operation waiting state) is performed by a series of operation operations for each device by the user without requiring a special setting by the user. It is desirable to be included in. Then, the detected set signal is automatically transmitted to the device control device.

In FIG. 6, the dishwasher of the household electric appliance 3 detects a detergent input operation (STEP 1) and a door locking operation (STEP 2) as an appliance setting operation, and sends a signal to the appliance control device side (STEP 3). ). In the case of the washing machine as well, the operation of putting the detergent (STEP1) and the operation of closing the lid to a predetermined position are detected (STEP2), and a signal is sent to the device control device (STEP3). In the case of an electronic jar pot, the water temperature is changed, that is, the water temperature (STEP 1) and the water amount when fresh water is added or replaced (STEP 2), and a signal is sent to the device control device side (S).
TEP3). In the case of a jar rice cooker, the temperature and weight of the pot (STEP 1) and the lock of the lid are detected (STE).
P2), and sends it to the device control device (STEP 3). The signal that each of the home electric appliances 3 is in the start state is not limited to the above-described example, and when the start switch is pressed in a normal start, that is, when the independent operation independent of the appliance control device is performed, When it is desired to perform short-time pressing and operation control by the operation control device, a long-time pressing may be transmitted as an inexpensive substitute signal.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration diagram of a dishwasher equipped with the detection unit in FIG. In FIG. 7, 3d1, the detergent input lid detecting unit performs STEP 1 of FIG. 6, and the 3d2 dishwasher door closing detecting unit performs STEP 2 of FIG. 6, and performs detection determination on the 3d3 substrate via the signal line 3dL. A signal is sent to the control device 1 side.

FIG. 8 shows a diagram in which the electronic timepiece 7 is connected to the equipment control device 1 in the automatic operation control system for the home electric appliance 3 shown in FIG. By connecting the electronic timepiece 7 and setting the morning wake-up time or setting an alarm by the user, the operation program of the home electric appliance 3 specified by the user in advance is called, and the operation start signal is output. Sent. By this operation, the user can individually start each connected home electric device 3 at a scheduled time without pressing a timer set or a start switch for each device.

Also, since the signal indicating whether or not to start in advance is received as described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the start of the washing machine in which the detergent is not supplied or the jar pot in which the amount of water is insufficient is stopped. This prevents abnormal operation as a device.

The determination flow of the operation control program in the equipment control device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
10 shows an operation program in which an operation block is moved in the middle of the flow of FIG. 9. The circles in FIG. 10 are the priorities assigned to the operation blocks, and the required power amount is plotted on the vertical axis and the time axis is plotted on the horizontal axis.

In the example shown in the figure, a washing machine 3 a, a home appliance 3 connected to the appliance control device 1 and the power distribution board 2,
This shows a state where three electric jars 3f and three jar rice cookers 3e are connected. Upon receiving a signal indicating that the home electric appliance has been set in STEP 1, the operation program information is called to the appliance control device 1. When a plurality of devices have been set, the operation programs of the corresponding devices are called (STEP 2), and the start time, the end time, and the like are prioritized according to the procedure shown in FIG. Calculate the required current. If the required current amount is equal to or less than the maximum value within the entire period from the first start time to the last end time of the connected home electric appliance 3 (STEP4-Y), the operation program starts for each appliance. The end time is adjusted, and the operation is started from a predetermined time. If the required current amount for each fixed time exceeds a predetermined value (ST
EP-N), those with lower priority for each operation block in the operation program, those with an end time specified earlier, those with a start time specified later,
If the start and end times are not specified, the operation block is moved later. (STEP 5) After moving the operation block, the required current amount for each predetermined time is calculated again (STEP 5).
(Return to EP3), and confirm that the value does not exceed the predetermined value.
If the required current amount exceeds a predetermined value by moving the operation block of the operation program, the operation block is moved again to calculate the required current amount. Even if the flow for moving the operation block is attempted a certain number of times, if the required amount of current is exceeded, those without designation of the start time and the end time are set after the end time. Further, the required current amount is calculated again, and if the required current amount cannot be suppressed to a predetermined value or less, the priority of the start time is lowered and the operation block is moved. When the movement of the operation program of the home electric appliance 3 is completed, the device control device 1 sends an operation start signal to each electric home appliance 3 in accordance with the operation program. (STEP 6) When the signal of the completion of the setting of the home electric appliance 3 is newly detected, the calculation is performed again from STEP 3, and the movement of the operation block of the operation program is changed.

In this embodiment, the setting completion signal is transmitted by
Although described as transmission from each device side, the set of electronic timepieces described in FIG. 8 is transmitted to the device control device 1, and the device control device 1 transmits the set of electronic timepieces to each home appliance 3.
May be detected.

FIG. 11 shows another example of the embodiment according to the present invention, in which the device control adapter 8 connected to the power supply unit is connected to the power supply source for the home appliance 3 without depending on the main body of the home appliance 3. It is to be added. The device control adapter 8 has an input adjustment device, and can adjust the input current, reduce the input current, and cut off the supply. The control is performed from the device control device 1 via the power distribution board 2. It is adjusted based on the transmitted signal.

The appliance control adapter 8 is operated by the operation terminal 1e of the appliance control device 1 so that even a home appliance having no operation program, that is, having no control board or the like in the body can be easily controlled. Enter control information. As the input information, it is possible to input an address (distribution board branch), an amount of used electric power, a reduction value, and information on whether or not supply can be stopped.

FIG. 12 shows another example of the embodiment of the present invention. The priority of the operation program can be changed to another priority item within a range not exceeding the upper limit current value of the power distribution board. It is a figure explaining movement of an operation block so that it can be performed. In this case, the operation program of the home electric appliance 3 is shown in FIG.
The CPU 1a of the device control device 1 has information unique to the home appliance 3 for each operation block of the operation program.
This is performed from the operation terminal 1e of the device control device 1. Alternatively, device information is downloaded from a homepage 5 on the Internet of a home appliance manufacturer in FIG.
Write to. The priority items have numerical values that quantitatively represent the operation noise, the heat radiation amount of the device, and the like, and are controlled by moving the operation block so that the total of the numerical values is equal to or less than a certain value.

In FIG. 12, the state where the operation program of each device is called is shown above, and the result of moving the operation block according to the judgment is shown below. In this example, the noise value is a priority item. The broken line in the figure shows the electric energy level, and the solid line shows the noise level. In the upper part of FIG. 12, the total electric energy satisfies the set value, but since one location does not satisfy the noise level, the sequence of the lower priority device 3e as shown in the lower part is moved to satisfy the noise value. I am trying to do it.

FIG. 13 shows another example of the embodiment of the present invention, in which the device controller 1 is operated by a remote controller. Normally, when operating the remote control device in another living room separated from the device control device 1 by a barrier such as a wall, in wireless communication, transmission and reception of signals are not performed smoothly between the device control device 1 and the remote control device. There are cases. FIG.
Is provided in a device control adapter 8 (see FIG. 11) of a power supply unit to which the home appliance 3 is connected, and the remote control 9 and the device control adapter 8 send signals to each other. The device control adapter 8 passes through the power distribution board 2 via the power wiring in the house, and can communicate with the device control device 1. Therefore, by using the branch circuit branched from the power distribution board 2, the signal of the remote controller 9 is smoothly connected to the device control device 1.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of the embodiment of the present invention, in which the priority of the operation program can be set separately from the normal setting, and the case where the interruption operation is permitted is given. . In the normal program setting of the device control device 1, the operation program is reconfigured in accordance with the priority assigned to the operation block of the operation program of each home appliance 3, and the operation start signal is transmitted to start the operation. In addition, depending on the user, in addition to the normal operation, there is a case where an interrupting work is required, such as a need for hot water suddenly, a need for quick washing, and the like. In that case, by performing interruption reception, the operation can be performed with priority given to the device specified by the user.

The instruction of the priority device can be made by inputting to the terminal device 1e connected to the device control device 1 shown in FIG.
An interrupt signal can also be generated. For example, the start switch can be pressed three times in a short period of time to perform the substitution, or the home appliance 3 may have a dedicated interrupt switch.

In FIG. 14, the home electric appliances 3a, 3e have already been set.
When the home appliance is ready for operation while connected to the appliance control device, and an operation time is set for each operation block by the operation control program, an interrupt signal for another home appliance is given. In this case, the power amount for each block is calculated again, and if a section exceeding the predetermined power amount occurs, the operation block is moved in the following procedure. Priority section is given when interrupt device is high input. Equipment 3a, 3
If none of the devices e has started operation, priority is given to the interrupting device first, and the process is started when the amount of power becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. If any of the devices 3a and 3e has already started operation and the priority of the corresponding operation block is 2 or less, the operation is started with priority given to the interrupt device. When the operation block of the priority order 1 is operated, the device of the priority order 1 is prioritized, and then the operation of the interrupt device is added (in the case of this figure).

Next, as an embodiment of the present invention, the operation of the operation program when the input is higher than a certain designated state will be described with reference to FIG. In a normal device control device program, when the total amount of power of each home appliance that is operated at the same time exceeds the specified amount of power, measures to perform cooperative control such as temporarily stopping the operation of the device are taken. In consideration of the priority of the operation end time, when the operation of the device is temporarily stopped and the operation is again performed in a series, the end time may be delayed. In an apparatus such as an air conditioner, for example, when the apparatus is set at bedtime and temporarily stopped, the user may be extremely uncomfortable. In addition, depending on the device, when power supply below a certain level is stopped, a timer or the like also stops, and some devices require a minimum required power supply. Therefore, a temporary stop is avoided by giving a command from the device control device for a driving operation for suppressing a low input without stopping the operation of a plurality of home electric appliances. This designation can be performed in the priority order 3 or lower. If the designated electric energy is not input, the designation is not applied to an operation block of a device that does not perform its original function. By this operation, for example, in the case of a jar pot, if the input is returned to normal from the point in time when the high input state ends, the water temperature in the pot is higher than in the stopped state, so the hot water will boil earlier. , Etc. can be operated without delaying the end time.

In FIG. 15, the operation is continuously performed by adjusting the input of the priority order "3" of the device 3a. In this case, the end time is earlier than moving the operation block backward and temporarily stopping the operation.

FIG. 16 shows another example of the embodiment of the present invention, showing the connection between the device control device and another display device. A display unit 1d, a speaker 1g, and the like are connected to the device control apparatus 1, and a visual display and a voice output of a driving program, a driving state, and the like can be performed, and a driving state, an end prediction, and the like are notified to a user. Further, in an example in which a wireless function capable of transmitting information from the device control device 1 to another display device in the house, for example, a personal computer or a television screen 3g, is installed.
Regardless of where the device control device is installed in the house, the user can check and input information from a living room or the like where a TV or a personal computer is installed.

As described above, the automatic operation control system for home electric appliances according to the present embodiment has the following effects.

The operation status of each home appliance that is operated simultaneously in the home is monitored, the operation status of the home appliance connected to the appliance control device is recognized, and the pre-programmed operation control is performed based on the recognized operation status. Since the program controls the operation of home appliances in a coordinated manner, the user can obtain the complexity of stopping the operation or setting a timer while heeding the required current amount of each home appliance. Absent. In addition, each set home appliance exceeds the predetermined amount of current,
There is no need to worry that the breaker of the power distribution board will be cut off and the purpose of each household appliance will not be fulfilled, and the operation will be stopped or delayed automatically, and the predetermined purpose of each household appliance will be fulfilled within a certain period of time. Will be able to do it. Also,
The operation control program can equalize the total current amount of the home electric appliances, so that the capacity of the contract current with the power company can be reduced.

In particular, since the priority is stored in the driving program according to the driving operation state of each home electric appliance, even when a plurality of home electric appliances in the home are operated at the same time,
In the state where the intended purpose is not achieved when the home appliance stops operating, it is possible to give priority to the operation without stopping and cooperative control with other home appliances is performed, so that the user can There is no need to worry about which device should be stopped when the current capacity of the power distribution board is exceeded. No more worrying about not reaching.

In the operation of starting the operation of the home electric appliance, the amount of current in the branch circuit of the power distribution board is measured at regular intervals and the start of the operation of the electric home appliance is automatically determined. Is operated, a signal is automatically sent to the device control device, and there is no need to instruct the device control device by itself.

Further, since the signal for preparing to start the operation of the home electric appliance is automatically transmitted to the appliance control unit without the user inputting to the appliance control unit for each appliance, the user can set the home electric appliance one by one. There is no need to enter a completion instruction.

Further, since the connected home electric appliance main body controls the stop, start and reduction of the input operation by the signal from the appliance control device, there is no need for the user to stop the appliance. In addition, the operation control of each home appliance connected to the appliance control device is performed by the appliance control device by designating the address and the power consumption of the home appliance input to the appliance control device from the input terminal connected to the appliance control device. However, since the input of the power supply source that each home appliance individually has is changed, even home appliances that do not have an operation program can easily perform cooperative control, can be manufactured at low cost, and have no home appliances. There is no need to be sophisticated.

Further, the user can select and input the desired operation mode of each home electric appliance and rewrite the priority of the operation program from the input device connected to the appliance control device. Not only that, it is easy to set up a program based on the noise of home electric appliances so that the noise level in the house is always kept below a certain value.

Further, the device control device includes a remote control device that can be operated remotely, and furthermore, if the device is connected to a home by a power supply source in the home, even if it is a considerably remote location, Since the signal can be transmitted to the device control device, the device control device can be operated at any place in the house, not limited to a specific place, and it is not necessary to go to the installation position of the device control device.

Further, the operation program of the appliance control device can give an instruction of the interrupt priority operation to each home electric appliance separately from the normal setting. Even if there is a request to boil the water in the electronic jar pot first or finish the washing first, the user does not care about the power consumption etc.
Changes can be made easily.

The control from the device control device is performed by controlling the specified device having a low priority when the current consumption is large, without interrupting the input itself, for example, by using a built-in timer or a built-in timer. Since the power for maintaining the heat retention state is supplied, the priority is low, and even if the operation control is performed, it is possible to restore a predetermined function after a certain period of time, and the user can There is no need to change settings.

Further, since the device control device has the display device and the audio output device, the user can easily recognize the start time and the end item of each home electric appliance connected to the device control device, and further use the device. If the amount of power is likely to exceed a predetermined value, a warning display or a warning notification is received, and as a result, a delay in the end time of the home electric appliance or the like can be recognized. Further, since information can be transmitted to a television or the like having a display device in the house, it is possible to check the display content in a living room or the like without having to go to the room where the device control device is located.

[0070]

According to the present invention, in an operation control system for monitoring the operating conditions of home appliances which are simultaneously operated in a home, power control in the home can be performed without impairing the intended purpose expected of the home appliances. It can be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic operation control system having a function of cooperatively controlling the operation state of home electric appliances in a home.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic operation control system for home electric appliances according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a main configuration of the automatic driving control system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating transmission and reception of operating program information of a home electric appliance.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating operation blocks and priorities of an operation program of a home electric appliance.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for monitoring the operating state of the home electric appliance connected to the appliance control device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for confirming the setting status of home electric appliances.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a dishwasher equipped with the detection unit in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram in which an electronic timepiece is connected to the automatic operation control system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a determination process of a handle control program in the device control device.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining an operation program including the operation block moved in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram in which a device control adapter is connected to the automatic operation control system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a case where a priority item of an operation program is changed to a priority item other than the electric energy.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram in which a remote controller is connected to the automatic operation control system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining a change in an operation program when an interrupting device occurs.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an operation program when the operation is performed without temporarily stopping the operation of the household electric appliance.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of performing wireless communication of display information of the device control device to a home appliance having another display device in the automatic driving control system of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Device control apparatus, 1a ... CPU, 1b ... Database storage part, 1c ... Signal transmission / reception part, 1d ... Display part, 1e ... Operation terminal, 1f ... Voice IC, 1g ... Speaker, 1h ... Timer part, 2 ... Power consumption Electric board, 2a ... CPU, 2b ... storage unit,
2c: signal transmission / reception unit, 2e: operation terminal, 2f: switch, 3: home electric appliance, 3a: washing machine, 3b: air conditioner, 3
c: Clothes dryer, 3d: Dishwasher, 3d1: Detergent input palate detector, 3d2: Dishwasher housing door detector, 3dL
... signal line, 3d3 ... board, 3e ... jar rice cooker, 3f ...
Electric jar, 3g TV, 4 ammeter, 5 manufacturer's website, 6 internet, 7 electronic clock, 8 device control adapter, 9 remote control, L signal line, L1 wireless communication.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H02J 13/00 311 H02J 13/00 311T 5H223 (72) Inventor Hiroko Oki 1-280 Higashi Koigakubo, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo F-term in Hitachi, Ltd. Design Laboratory (reference)

Claims (11)

[Claims] In a control device for a home electric appliance having a function of monitoring a plurality of home electric appliances to be controlled, a function of communicating with the home electric appliance and a power consumption value in which the power consumption of the home electric appliance is set are determined. A control device for a home electric appliance having a function of selecting a home electric appliance capable of interrupting the operation when the electric power is exceeded, and interrupting the operation of the selected home electric appliance. 2. The control device for a home electric appliance according to claim 1, wherein the home electric appliance stores a period during which the operation in the operation program can be interrupted. 3. The control device for a home electric appliance according to claim 2, wherein the home electric appliance stores a power consumption amount in each operation period together with a period in which the operation of the home electric appliance can be interrupted. 4. A control device for a home appliance provided with a device control device for monitoring power consumption of a plurality of home appliances to be controlled, wherein the device control device has a function of communicating with the home appliance and the power consumption amount. A controller for determining whether or not the operation can be interrupted based on the operation state of the home appliance when the value exceeds a set value, and interrupting the operation of the home appliance capable of interrupting the operation. 5. The control device for home electric appliances according to claim 4, wherein each of the home electric appliances connected to the device control device stores an operation period during which the operation in the operation program cannot be interrupted. 6. The control device for a home electric appliance according to claim 5, wherein the home electric appliance stores information on power consumption and operation time together with an operation period during which the operation cannot be interrupted. 7. A control apparatus for a home electric appliance having a function of communicating with a plurality of home electric appliances to be controlled, wherein a peak value of power consumption of the home electric appliance is equal to a set value before the operation of the home electric appliance. A control device for a home appliance having a function of generating an operation program for the home appliance so as not to exceed the same. 8. The control device for a home electric appliance according to claim 7, wherein the operation program is generated such that a peak value of noise generated by the home electric appliance does not exceed a set value. 9. The control device for a home electric appliance according to claim 7, wherein power consumption and operation time for each operation block in the operation program for each home electric appliance are stored, and the operation program is generated based on the information. 10. The control device for home electric appliances according to claim 9, wherein the operation program is generated based on information indicating whether each electric home appliance gives priority to an operation end time or an operation start time. 11. The control device for a home electric appliance according to claim 7, wherein the home electric appliance generates an operation start preparation signal, and generates an operation program of the home electric appliance that has transmitted the operation start preparation signal.