KR101218019B1 - A home appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a network system.
A network system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a utility network including at least an energy generating unit; A home network consuming energy generated by the energy generating unit and including an energy consuming unit including at least one control unit for driving; And a communication module that enables communication between the energy consumption unit and external components constituting the utility network or home network, wherein the communication module is configured to transfer power applied to drive the energy consumption unit to the controller. It is characterized in that located on the path.

Description

Electrical Appliances {A home appliance}

The present invention relates to electrical appliances.

The supplier simply supplied energy sources such as electricity, water and gas, and the consumer simply used the supplied energy sources. Therefore, effective management in terms of energy production, distribution, or energy use has been difficult to carry out.

In other words, energy is a radial structure that is distributed from energy suppliers toward multiple demand sources, that is, spreads from the center to the periphery, and is characterized by unidirectional supplier center, not consumer center.

The price information for electricity was not only available in real time, but only limitedly through the power exchange, and since the price system is also a de facto fixed price system, incentives such as incentives to consumers through price changes cannot be used. There was also a problem.

In order to solve this problem, there have been a lot of efforts in recent years to implement a horizontal, cooperative, and distributed network that effectively manages energy and enables interaction between consumers and suppliers.

An object of the present invention is to provide a network system capable of effectively managing an energy source and reducing electric charges and / or energy consumption.

A network system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a utility network including at least an energy generating unit; A home network consuming energy generated by the energy generating unit and including an energy consuming unit including at least one control unit for driving; And a communication module that enables communication between the energy consumption unit and external components constituting the utility network or home network, wherein the communication module is configured to transfer power applied to drive the energy consumption unit to the controller. It is characterized in that located on the path.

According to the present invention, the energy source can be efficiently produced, used, distributed, stored, and the like, thereby enabling effective management of the energy source.

In addition, it is possible to drive and control electrical appliances in the home by using the energy information transmitted from the supplier, and there is an effect of reducing energy usage fees or power consumption.

1 is a view schematically showing a network system according to the present invention.
2 is a block diagram schematically showing a network system according to the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing a process of transferring information on a network system of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a form of an electric charge. FIG. 4A is a graph showing time of use (TOU) information and critical peak pattern (CPP) information, and FIG. 4B is a RTP ( This graph shows real time pattern information.
5 is a block diagram schematically showing a first embodiment of a network system according to the present invention.
6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a second embodiment of a network system according to the present invention.
7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a third embodiment of a network system according to the present invention.
8 is a schematic diagram of a home network according to the invention.
9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an electrical appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 9.
11 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a coupling position of a communication module according to the present invention.
12 shows a first embodiment of a module assembly according to the invention.
13 is a cross-sectional view showing the module assembly coupled to the module coupling portion.
14 is a cross-sectional view showing a module assembly coupled to the module coupling unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view schematically showing a network system according to the present invention.

This network system is a system for managing energy sources such as electricity, water, and gas. The energy source means that the amount of generation, the amount of use, etc. can be measured.

Thus, energy sources not mentioned above may also be included in the management of this system. Hereinafter, as an energy source, electricity will be described as an example, and the contents of the present specification may be equally applied to other energy sources.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary network system includes a power plant that generates electricity. The power plant may include a power plant that generates electricity through thermal power generation or nuclear power generation, and a power plant using hydro, solar, wind, and the like, which are environmentally friendly energy.

In addition, the electricity generated in the power plant is transmitted to the power station through the transmission line, and in the power station (substation) to transmit electricity to the substation so that the electricity is distributed to the demand destination, such as home or office.

In addition, the electricity produced by the environmentally friendly energy is also transmitted to the substation to be distributed to each customer. Then, the electricity transmitted from the substation is distributed to the office or home via the electrical storage device or directly.

Even in homes that use a home area network (HAN), they can produce, store, or distribute their own electricity through solar light or fuel cells mounted on a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), The surplus electricity can also be sold back to the outside world (for example, the utility).

In addition, the network system includes a smart meter for real-time measuring the electricity usage of the demand destination (home or office, etc.), and a meter (AMI: Advanced Metering infrastructure) for real-time measurement of the electricity usage of a plurality of demand destinations. May be included. That is, the measuring device may receive the information measured by the plurality of smart meters to measure the electricity usage.

In this specification, the measurement includes not only the smart meter and the measuring device itself measuring, but also that the smart meter and the measuring device can recognize the generation amount or the usage amount from other components.

The network system may further include an energy management system (EMS) for managing energy. The energy management device may generate information about the operation of one or more components in relation to energy (generation, distribution, use, storage, etc.) of energy. The energy management device can generate instructions relating to the operation of at least the component.

In the present specification, the function or solution performed by the energy management device may be referred to as an energy management function or an energy management solution.

In the network system of the present invention, one or more energy management devices may be present in separate configurations, or may be included in one or more components as an energy management function or solution.

2 is a block diagram schematically showing a network system according to the present invention.

1 and 2, the network system of the present invention is constituted by a plurality of components. For example, power plants, substations, power stations, energy management devices, appliances, smart meters, capacitors, web servers, instrumentation devices, and home servers are the components of network systems.

In addition, in the present invention, each component may be constituted by a plurality of detailed components. For example, when one component is a home appliance, a detailed component may be a microcomputer, a heater, a display, a motor, etc. constituting the home appliance.

That is, in the present invention, everything that performs a specific function can be a component, and these components constitute the network system of the present invention. In addition, the two components may communicate by a communication means.

In addition, one network may be one component or may be composed of multiple components.

In the present specification, a network system in which communication information is associated with an energy source may be referred to as an energy grid.

The network system according to an exemplary embodiment may be configured of a utility network (UAN) 10 and a home network (HAN) 20. The utility network 10 and the home network 20 may communicate by wire or wirelessly by communication means.

In this specification, a home means a group of specific components such as a building, a company, as well as a home in a dictionary meaning. And, utility means a group of specific components outside the home.

The utility network 10 includes an energy generation component 11 for generating energy, an energy distribution component 12 for distributing or transferring energy, and an energy storage unit for storing energy. An energy storage component 13), an energy management component 14 for managing energy, and an energy metering component 15 for measuring energy related information.

When one or more components constituting the utility network 10 consume energy, the component that consumes energy may be an energy consumer. That is, the energy consumption unit may be a separate configuration or may be included in other components.

The energy generator 11 may be, for example, a power plant. The energy distribution unit 12 distributes or delivers the energy generated by the energy generator 11 and / or the energy stored in the energy storage unit 13 to the energy consumption unit. The energy distribution unit 12 may be a power transmitter, a substation, or a power station.

The energy storage unit 13 may be a storage battery, and the energy management unit 14 is related to energy, the energy generating unit 11, energy distribution unit 12, energy storage unit 13, energy consumption unit ( 26) generates information for one or more of driving. For example, the energy management unit 14 may generate a command regarding the operation of at least a specific component.

The energy management unit 14 may be an energy management device. The energy measuring unit 15 may measure information related to energy generation, distribution, consumption, storage, and the like, and may be, for example, a measuring device (AMI). The energy management unit 14 may be a separate configuration or may be included as an energy management function in other components.

The utility network 10 may communicate with the home network 20 by a terminal component (not shown). The terminal component may be, for example, a gateway. Such terminal components may be provided in one or more of the utility network 10 and the home network 20.

Meanwhile, the home network 20 includes an energy generation component 21 for generating energy, an energy distribution component 22 for distributing energy, and an energy storage unit for storing energy. storage component 23, an energy management component 24 for managing energy, an energy metering component 25 for measuring information related to energy, and an energy consuming unit for consuming energy consumption component 26, a central management component 27 for controlling a plurality of components, an energy grid assistance component 28, an accessory component 29, and a consumer processing component component: 30).

The energy generation component 21 may be a household generator, the energy storage component 23 may be a storage battery, and the energy management component 24 may be an energy management device. have.

The energy metering component 25 may measure information related to generation, distribution, consumption, storage, and the like of energy. For example, the energy metering component 25 may be a smart meter.

The energy consumption unit 26 may be, for example, a home appliance (a refrigerator, a washing machine, an air conditioner, a cooking appliance, a cleaner, a dryer, a dishwasher, a dehumidifier, a display device, a lighting device, etc.) or a heater, a motor, a display, etc. constituting the home appliance. Can be. Note that there is no restriction on the type of energy consumption unit 26 in this embodiment.

The energy management unit 24 may be an individual component or may be included as an energy management function in another component. The energy management unit 21 may communicate with one or more components to transmit and receive information.

The energy generator 21, the energy distributor 22, and the energy storage unit 23 may be individual components or may constitute a single component.

The central management unit 27 may be, for example, a home server controlling a plurality of home appliances.

The energy network assistant 28 is a component having an original function while performing an additional function for the energy grid. For example, the energy network assistant 28 may be a web service provider (eg, a computer), a mobile device, a television, or the like.

The accessory component 29 is an energy network only component that performs additional functions for the energy network. For example, the accessory component 29 may be a weather network antenna dedicated to the energy network.

The consumer handling component 30 is a component that stores, supplies, and delivers the consumer, and may identify or recognize information about the consumer. The consumer may be, for example, an article or material that is used or processed when the energy consumption unit 26 operates. In addition, the consumer processor 30 may be managed by the energy manager 24 as an example in an energy network.

For example, the consumer may be a laundry cloth in a washing machine, a food in a cooking appliance, a detergent or a fabric softener for washing a laundry cloth in a washing machine, a seasoning for cooking food, and the like.

Energy generation unit 11, 21, energy distribution unit 12, 22, energy storage unit 13, 23, energy management unit 14, 24, energy measuring unit 15, 25, energy consumption unit mentioned above (26), the central management unit 27 may exist independently of each other, or two or more may constitute a single component.

For example, the energy management unit 14 and 24, the energy measuring unit 15 and 25, and the central management unit 27 each exist as a single component, and perform smart functions, energy management devices, and home servers that perform their respective functions. Or, the energy management unit 14, 24, the energy measuring unit 15, 25, the central management unit 27 may form a single component mechanically.

In addition, in performing one function, the function may be sequentially performed in a plurality of components and / or communication means. For example, energy management functions may be sequentially performed in a separate energy management unit, an energy measuring unit, and an energy consumption unit.

In addition, a plurality of components of a specific function constituting the utility network and the home network may be provided. For example, there may be a plurality of energy generating units or energy consuming units.

On the other hand, the utility network 10 and the home network 20 can communicate by a communication means (first interface). At this time, the plurality of utility networks 10 may communicate with a single home network 20, and the single utility network 10 may communicate with a plurality of home networks 20.

For example, the communication means may be a simple communication line or a power line communication means. Of course, the power line communication means may include a communicator (eg, a modem) connected to each of the two components. As another example, the communication means may be zigbee, wi-fi, Bluetooth, or the like.

In the present specification, there is no limitation on the method for wired communication or the method for wireless communication.

Two components constituting the utility network 10 may communicate by means of communication means.

In addition, the two components constituting the home network 20 may communicate by a communication means (second interface). For example, the energy consumption unit 26 may communicate with one or more of the energy management unit 24, the energy measurement unit 25, the central management unit 27, the energy network assistance unit 28, and the like (second interface). Can communicate by

In addition, the microcomputer of each component (for example, the energy consumption unit) may communicate with the communication means (second interface) (third interface). For example, when the energy consumption unit is a home appliance, the energy consumption unit may receive information from the energy management unit by a communication means (second interface), and the received information is a microcomputer of the home appliance by a third interface. Can be delivered.

In addition, the energy consumption unit 26 may communicate with the accessory component 29 by a communication means (fourth interface). In addition, the energy consumption unit 26 may communicate with the consumer processor 30 by a communication means (a fifth interface).

3 is a block diagram showing a process of transferring information on a network system of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a form of an electric charge. FIG. 4A is a graph showing time of use (TOU) information and critical peak pattern (CPP) information, and FIG. 4B is a RTP ( This graph shows real time pattern information.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the network system of the present invention, a specific component C may receive information related to energy (hereinafter, “energy information”) by communication means. In addition, the specific component (C) may be additional information (environmental information, program update information, time information, operation or status information of each component (breakdown, etc.), in addition to the energy information by the communication means, consumer habit information using the energy consumption unit, etc. ) Can be received further.

The environmental information may include carbon dioxide emissions, carbon dioxide concentration in the air, temperature, humidity, rainfall, rainfall or the like, solar radiation, air volume, and the like.

In another aspect, the information may include internal information, such as information related to each component (operation or state information of each component (such as a failure), energy usage information of the energy consumer, consumer habit information using the energy consumer, and the like), and the like. Information may be divided into external information (energy-related information, environmental information, program update information, time information).

At this time, the information may be received from other components. In other words, the received information includes at least energy information.

The specific component may be one component constituting the utility network 10 or one component constituting the home network 20.

As described above, the energy information I may be one of information such as electricity, water, and gas.

For example, information related to electricity includes time-based pricing, energy curtailment, grid emergency, grid reliability, energy generation amount, and operational priority. (operation priority), energy consumption amount (Amount). In this embodiment, the fee associated with the energy source may be referred to as an energy fee.

In other words, energy-related information may be classified into charge information (energy charge) and non-charge information (energy reduction, emergency situation, network safety, generation amount, operation priority, energy consumption amount, etc.).

Such information may be classified into schedule information previously generated based on previous information and real time information that changes in real time. The schedule information and the real time information may be distinguished by predicting information after the current time (future).

The energy information I may be classified into time of use (TOU) information, critical peak pattern (CPP) information, or real time pattern (RTP) information according to a change pattern of data over time. The energy information I may change with time.

Referring to FIG. 4A, according to the TOU information, data is gradually changed in time. According to the CPP information, the data changes step by step or in real time with time, and emphasis is displayed at a specific time point. That is, in the case of the CPP pattern, the general fee is lower than that of the TOU pattern, but the charge at a specific time point is significantly higher than that in the TOU pattern.

Referring to FIG. 4B, according to the RTP information, data changes in real time with time.

Meanwhile, the energy information I may be transmitted and received with a true or false signal, such as a Boolean on a network system, or actual price information may be transmitted or received, or may be leveled and transmitted. Hereinafter, information related to electricity will be described by way of example.

When the specific component C receives a true or false signal such as a Boolean, one of the signals is recognized as an on-peak signal, and the other signal is off-peak. ) Can be recognized as a signal.

In contrast, a particular component may recognize information about at least one driving including an electric charge, and the specific component compares the recognized information value with the reference information value to compare the on-peak and off-peak ( off-peak).

For example, when a specific component recognizes leveled information or actual price information, the specific component compares the recognized information value with the reference information value to turn on-peak and off-peak. Recognize.

In this case, the information value related to the driving may be at least one of an electric charge, a power amount, a change rate of the electric charge, a change rate of the power amount, an average value of the electric charge, and an average value of the electric power. The reference information value may be at least one of an average value, an average value of minimum and maximum values of power information during a predetermined section, and a reference rate of change of power information (eg, slope of power consumption per unit time) during the predetermined section.

The reference information value may be set in real time or may be set in advance. The reference information value may be set in a utility network or in a home network (input from a consumer direct input, an energy manager, a central manager, etc.).

When the specific component (for example, the energy consumption unit) recognizes an on-peak (for example, a recognition time point), the output may be zero (stopped or stopped) and the output may be reduced. The specific component may determine the driving method in advance before starting the operation, or may change the driving method when the on-peak is recognized after starting the operation.

And, if a particular component recognizes an off peak, the output can be restored or increased as needed. That is, when a specific component that recognizes an on peak recognizes an off peak, the output may be restored to a previous state or increased more than the previous output.

At this time, even when the specific component recovers the output or increases the output after recognizing the off-peak, the total power consumption and / or the total electricity bill for the entire operating time of the specific component is reduced.

Alternatively, when the specific component recognizes an on-peak (for example, a recognition time), the output may be maintained when the specific component is operable. In this case, the operable condition means that the information value related to driving is equal to or less than a predetermined standard. The information value related to the driving may be information on an electric charge, power consumption amount or operation time. The predetermined criterion may be a relative value or an absolute value.

The schedule standard may be set in real time or may be set in advance. The schedule criterion may be set in the utility network or in a home network (input from a consumer direct input, an energy manager, a central manager, etc.).

Alternatively, when the specific component recognizes an on-peak (eg, a recognition time), the output may be increased. However, even when the output is increased when the on-peak is recognized, the total output amount during the entire driving period of the specific component may be reduced or maintained than the total output amount when the specific component operates at the normal output.

Or, even if the output is increased when the on-peak is recognized, the total power consumption or total electric charge for the entire operating period of the specific component is the total power consumption or total power when the specific component operates at the normal output. It can be lower than the electricity bill.

When the specific component recognizes an off-peak (for example, a recognition time), the output may be increased. For example, when an operation reservation is set, a specific component may start driving before a set time, or a component having a larger output among a plurality of components may be driven first.

In addition, in the case of a refrigerator, the output may be overcooled by increasing the output, or in the case of a washing machine or a washing machine, the hot water may be stored in the hot water tank by driving the heater in advance than the scheduled time of operation of the heater. This is to reduce the electric charge by operating in the off-peak in advance to operate in the on-peak to come later.

Alternatively, when a specific component recognizes an off-peak (eg, a recognition time), power storage may be performed.

In the present invention, the specific component (for example, the energy consumption unit) may maintain, reduce or increase the output. Thus, a particular component can include a power changing component. Since the power can be defined by current and voltage, the power variable component can include a current regulator and / or a voltage regulator. For example, the power variable component may be operated according to a command generated from an energy management unit.

Meanwhile, the energy curtailment information is information related to a mode in which a component is stopped or a low electric charge is used. The energy saving information may be transmitted and received with a true or false signal, for example, as a Boolean on a network system. That is, a turn off signal or a lower power signal may be transmitted and received.

When the specific component recognizes the energy saving information, as described above, the output can be zeroed (if the stop or stop state is recognized) or the output can be reduced (if the lower power signal is recognized). have.

The grid emergency information is information related to a power failure and the like, and may be transmitted / received as a true or false signal such as Boolean. Information related to the power outage is related to the reliability of the component using energy.

When the specific component recognizes the emergency information, it may be immediately shut down.

When the specific component receives the emergency information as schedule information, the specific component may increase the output before the arrival of the emergency time point, thereby performing the same operation as the above-described operation at the off peak of the specific component. . In addition, the specific component may be shut down at an emergency time.

The grid reliability information is information about the quality of electricity, which is high or low of the amount of electricity supplied, or information about the quality of electricity, and is transmitted or received by a true or false signal such as Boolean, or is supplied to a component (for example, home appliance) The component may determine the frequency of the signal.

That is, when a frequency lower than the reference frequency of the AC power supplied to the component is detected, it is determined that the supply electricity quantity is low (supply electricity shortage information). Electricity excess information).

When the specific component recognizes that the amount of electricity is low in the network safety information or that the information indicating that the electrical quality is not good (supply electricity quantity lacking information), as described above, the specific component is sometimes output 0 (stop) Or stop) output can be reduced, maintained or increased.

On the other hand, if the electricity supply excess information is recognized, the specific component can be increased in output or switched from off to on.

Energy information information (information) is less information about the amount of electricity consumed by the component that consumes energy compared to the amount of power generation, information on the state of the generation of excess electricity, for example, can be transmitted and received as a true or false signal, such as Boolean.

When the specific component 30 recognizes the energy increase information, the output may be increased. For example, when an operation reservation is set, a specific component may start driving before a set time, or a component having a larger output among a plurality of components may be driven first. In addition, in the case of a refrigerator, the output may be supercooled by increasing the output, or in the case of a washing machine or a washing machine, the hot water may be stored by driving the heater in advance than the scheduled time of operation of the heater. Alternatively, when the specific component 30 recognizes the off-peak (for example, a recognition time), the power storage may be performed.

On-peak information, energy reduction information, and supply electricity shortage information among the energy-related information described above may be recognized as high-price information that is understood to be relatively expensive.

On the other hand, off-peak information, energy increase information, and excess electricity supply information among energy-related information may be recognized as low-price (low cost) information which is understood to be relatively low in energy bills.

The information (high cost or low cost information) related to the up and down of the energy fee may be recognized as information for determining a power saving driving method of a specific component (for example, the energy consumption unit). That is, by using the information on the up and down of the energy bill, it is possible to recognize the time zone (region) or the charge zone (region) for determining the driving method of the component according to the energy rate by dividing it into at least two or more.

For example, when information related to energy is recognized as a boolean signal, two charges for determining a time zone or a driving method of a component according to the energy fee may be recognized as two, and the information related to the energy may be at a plurality of levels. When divided into or recognized as real-time information, the time zone or the charge zone may be recognized as three or more.

On the other hand, at least information related to energy rates corresponding to time may be recognized by being divided into information for determining a power saving driving method of the component. That is, by using the information related to the energy bill, it is possible to recognize the time zone (zone) or the charge zone (zone) by dividing it into at least two or more. As described above, the time zone or fee zone to be distinguished may be determined according to the type of information recognized (boolean, multiple levels, real time information).

In other words, two or more determinants for driving a component may be distinguished and recognized using information related to the up and down of the energy rate, and the determinants may include a function relating to time and energy rate.

When information related to the energy charge is leveled and recognized at two or more levels, a driving method may be determined for a specific component according to the leveled information.

On the other hand, if the information related to the recognized energy fee is not classified according to a specific criterion (for example, real-time fee information), the information related to the energy fee is compared with predetermined information, and according to the comparison result, the specific component Can be determined.

Here, the predetermined information may be reference information (for example, a reference value) for distinguishing the information related to the energy rate, and the result of the comparison is related to whether or not the information related to the energy rate is greater than or equal to the reference value. Can be.

On the other hand, each kind of information related to the energy, specifically, the unprocessed first information (I1), the second information (second information (I2)) that is processed information from the first information, and the specific The information may be divided into third information I3 which is information for performing a function of a component. That is, the first information is raw data, the second information is refined data, and the third information is a command for performing a function of a specific component.

In addition, information related to energy is included in the signal and transmitted. In this case, one or more of the first to third information may be transmitted only a plurality of times without converting only the signal.

For example, as shown in the figure, any component that receives a signal including the first information I1 may only convert a signal and transmit a new signal including the first information I1 to another component.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the signal conversion and the information conversion are described as different concepts. At this time, it will be easily understood that the signal is also converted when the first information is converted into the second information.

However, the third information may be delivered a plurality of times in the state where the contents are converted or in a state where only the signal is converted while maintaining the same contents.

In detail, when the first information is raw electricity price information, the second information may be processed electricity price information. The processed electricity rate information is information or analysis information in which electricity rates are divided into multiple levels. The third information is a command generated based on the first information or the second information.

The particular component may generate, transmit or receive one or more of the first to third information. The first to third information are not necessarily sequentially transmitted and received.

For example, only a plurality of third information may be transmitted or received sequentially or in parallel without the first and second information. Alternatively, the first and third information may be transmitted or received together, the second and third information may be transmitted or received together, or the first and second information may be transmitted or received together.

For example, when a specific component receives the first information, the specific component may transmit the second information, the second information and the third information, or may transmit only the third information.

When the specific component receives only the third information, the specific component may generate and transmit new third information.

Meanwhile, in the relationship between the two informations, one information is a message and the other information is a response to the message. Accordingly, each component constituting the present network system may transmit or receive a message, and when the message is received, may correspond to the received message. Thus, the transmission of messages and their corresponding responses is a relative concept for individual components.

The message may include data (first information or second information) and / or command (third information).

The command (third information) includes a data storage command, a data generating command, a data processing command (including generating additional data), a generating command of an additional command, a sending command of an additional generated command, and a received command. Commands and the like.

In the present specification, corresponding to a received message means storing data, processing data (including generating additional data), generating a new command, sending a newly generated command, and simply passing the received command to another component. Command can be generated together), operation, transmission of stored information, transmission of acknowledgment character or negative acknowledgment character.

For example, when the message is the first information, the component that has received the first information corresponds to this to generate the second information by processing the first information, generate the second information, and generate new third information, Only third information can be generated.

In detail, when the energy management unit 24 receives the first information (internal information and / or external information), the energy management unit 24 generates second information and / or third information to establish the home network. It may transmit to one or more components (for example, energy consumption unit) constituting. In addition, the energy consumption unit 26 may operate according to the third information received from the energy management unit 24.

The component receiving the message may respond with respect to energy. Here, "correspondence" can be understood as a concept that includes an operation that a component can perform its function. In one example, the home network 20 may receive a message and perform an operation related to energy.

The response (operation) with respect to the energy of the component will be described in detail. The component may be, for example, an energy consumption unit.

The energy consumption unit may be driven such that an energy fee when driven based on the recognition of energy information is lower than an energy fee driven without recognition of the energy information.

The component may include a plurality of modes that are driven for performing their own functions. The plurality of modes may be driven in at least one of a first mode and a second mode in which an energy charge is saved in comparison with the first mode.

The first mode may be a normal mode, the second mode may be a power saving mode, and the first and second modes may be power saving modes.

The general mode may be understood as a mode in which a component's own function is performed without recognition of energy information. On the other hand, the power saving mode may be understood as a mode that allows the component to perform its own function based on the recognition of the energy information in order to save energy charges.

When the first and second modes are power saving modes, the first mode may be defined as a driving scheme for saving energy bills, and the second mode may be defined as a driving scheme in which energy bills are saved more than the first mode. have.

On the other hand, in relation to the driving of a specific component (for example, the energy consumption unit), at least a part of the driving scheme including at least the driving time and the course is recognized, and the unrecognized portion may be generated to reduce the energy fee. The recognized part may be changed in other ways.

For example, at least a part of the driving method may be recognized through user setting, control of the energy management unit, or self control of the energy consumption unit. In addition, when a specific driving method is further needed to save energy rates, the unrecognized driving method part is newly generated, and the recognized part can be changed in another way to save energy.

Of course, the process of generating the unrecognized portion may be omitted, and in this case, the process of changing the recognized portion in another manner may be performed. On the other hand, a process in which the recognized part is changed in another manner may be omitted, and in this case, a process of newly generating the unrecognized part may be performed.

The driving time may include a driving start time or a driving end time of the component. In addition, the course may include the driving period and the output of the component.

The manner in which it is generated or the manner in which it is changed may be the way recommended by a particular component for saving energy bills. Here, the specific component may be an energy consumption unit (control unit) or an energy management unit.

For example, when the recognized driving method is a specific driving time, the specific driving time may be changed to another time in order to reduce energy charges, and a specific course may be generated.

On the other hand, when the recognized driving method is a specific course, the specific course may be changed to another course and a specific time may be generated in order to reduce the energy charge.

According to such a control, a time or an output value may be changed with respect to an output function of a component over time.

The manner of generation or the manner of change may be made within a set range. That is, in the process of recognizing at least a part of the driving method, the driving method is within a predetermined criterion (for example, a restriction set by the user or set through the control of the energy management unit or the energy consumption unit) indicated by the recognized part. May be created or changed.

Thus, within the range of the predetermined criterion, it is limited that the unrecognized portion is generated or the recognized portion is changed in another manner.

5 is a block diagram schematically showing a first embodiment of a network system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first component 31 of the home network 20 may communicate directly with the utility network 10. The first component 31 can communicate with a plurality of components 32, 33, 34: second to fourth components of the home network. At this time, it is noted that there is no limit to the number of components of the home network to communicate with the first component 31.

That is, in the present embodiment, the first component 31 serves as a gateway. For example, the first component 31 may be one of an energy management unit, an energy measuring unit, a central management unit, an energy network assistance unit, and an energy consumption unit.

In the present invention, the component acting as a gateway not only enables communication between components that communicate using different communication protocols, but also enables communication between components that communicate using the same communication protocol.

The second to fourth components 32, 33, and 34 may each be one of an energy generator, an energy distributor, an energy manager, an energy storage unit, an energy measurer, a central manager, an energy network assistant, and an energy consumer. have.

The first component 31 may receive information from the utility network 10 or one or more components constituting the utility network 10, and transmit or process the received information to process the second to fourth components. Can be sent to (32, 33, 34). For example, when the first component 31 is an energy measuring unit, the first component may receive electric charge information and transmit the electric charge information to an energy management unit, an energy consumption unit, or the like.

Each of the second to fourth components may communicate with another component. For example, the first component 31 is an energy measuring unit, the second component is an energy management unit, and the energy management unit may communicate with one or more energy consumption units.

6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a second embodiment of a network system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a plurality of components constituting the home network 20 of the present invention may directly communicate with the utility network 10.

That is, in the present invention, a plurality of components (first and second components 41 and 42) serving as gateways are included. The first and second components may be homogeneous components or other kinds of components.

And, the first component 41 can communicate with one or more components (eg, third and fourth components 43, 44), and the second component 42 can be one or more components (eg, a fifth And sixth component 45, 46.

For example, each of the first and second components may be one of an energy management unit, an energy measuring unit, a central management unit, an energy network assistance unit, and an energy consumption unit.

Each of the third to sixth components may be one of an energy generator, an energy distributor, an energy manager, an energy measurer, a central manager, an energy network assistant, and an energy consumer.

7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a third embodiment of a network system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, each of the components 51, 52, and 53 constituting the home network of the present embodiment may directly communicate with the utility network 20. That is, as in the first and second embodiments, there is no component serving as a gateway, and each of the components 51, 52, and 53 may communicate with the utility network.

8 is a schematic diagram of a home network according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the home network 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, an energy measuring unit 25 capable of measuring in real time power and / or electricity rates supplied from the utility network 10 to each home is provided. For example, a smart meter, the energy measuring unit 25 and the energy management unit 24 is connected to the electrical appliances and control their operation.

On the other hand, the electricity bill of each household can be charged as an hourly rate, and the hourly electricity bill becomes expensive in the time period when the power consumption is rapidly increased, and the hourly electricity bill becomes cheaper at night time, such as relatively low power consumption. Can be.

The energy management unit 24 is an electrical appliance as the energy consumption unit 26, i.e., a refrigerator 81, a washing machine 82, an air conditioner 83, a dryer 84, or a cooking appliance 85 through a home network. It can be connected to electrical appliances such as two-way communication.

The communication in the home can be made through a wireless method such as Zigbee, wifi or a wire such as power line communication (PLC), and one home appliance can be connected to communicate with other home appliances.

9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an electrical appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II 'of FIG.

9 and 10, in the electrical appliance 100 as an energy consumption unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, a case 110 and a front portion of the case 110 forming an appearance and protecting an inner space A control panel 120 is provided to display the operating state of the electrical appliance or to input an operation command.

The case 110 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which a portion of the front portion thereof is opened. In FIG. 9, the electrical appliance 100 includes one set of a washing machine and a dryer.

The case 110 includes a panel seating portion 115 on which the control panel 120 is mounted. The panel seating part 115 may be bent backward from the front part 111 of the case 110.

The control panel 120 includes a display unit 123 for displaying an operation state of the electrical appliance 100 and an input unit 122 for inputting a predetermined command for operating the electrical appliance 100.

The control panel 120 further includes a panel controller 121 for controlling the operation of the control panel 120. The panel controller 121 may be disposed on the rear side of the front portion 120a of the control panel 120. The panel controller 121 may be a printed circuit board (PCB).

One side of the panel controller 121 is provided with a communication module 125 to enable the electrical appliance 100 to communicate with an external device. That is, the communication module 125 is embedded in the control panel 120.

In detail, the communication module 125 may be coupled to the panel controller 121 through the coupling port 124. The coupling port 124 may be provided in the panel controller 121 or the communication module 125.

When the coupling port 124 is provided in the panel control unit 121, the communication module 125 may be inserted into the panel control unit 121, and the coupling port 124 may be provided in the communication module 125. If so, the panel controller 121 may be inserted into the communication module 125.

The communication module 125 may be wired to the panel controller 121 and disposed at one position of the control panel 120.

The communication module 125 may be coupled to the panel controller 121 so that power applied to the panel controller 121 may be supplied. Therefore, since power supply to the communication module 125 is easy, there is an advantage that the reliability of the operation of the communication module 125 can be secured.

In other words, the communication module 125 may be disposed on a path through which external power is supplied to the panel controller 121 to drive the electrical appliance 100.

Other embodiments are suggested.

The communication module 125 may be coupled to the main control unit of the electrical appliance 100, not the control unit of the control panel 120. The main control unit may be understood as a control unit for controlling the operation of one component provided to perform a unique function of the electrical appliance 100. For example, when the electrical appliance 100 is a washing machine, the main control unit may be understood as a control unit for controlling a driving unit generating a rotation force.

Since the communication module 125 is connected to the main controller, power supply to the communication module 125 may be easily performed.

On the other hand, the communication module 125 is provided in the control panel, that is, the front portion of the electrical appliance 100 has the advantage that the signal can be easily transmitted from the external device.

That is, since the front portion of the electrical appliance 100 is generally disposed to face the inner direction (center portion) of the installation space, the communication module 125 is disposed on the front portion of the electrical appliance 100 to facilitate signal transmission and reception. It can be done.

In particular, when the external material (for example, case 110) of the electrical appliance 100 is made of a conductive material, signal transmission may be limited, and thus a communication module may be provided on the front of the electrical appliance that may facilitate signal transmission. It is meaningful to be deployed.

The external device may be a component that can communicate with the electrical appliance 100. The component includes at least one of a plurality of components constituting a network (utility network or home network).

For example, the component, the energy generating unit (11, 21), energy distribution unit (12, 22), energy storage unit (13, 23), energy management unit (14, 24), energy measuring unit (15, 25) ) Or other energy consumption unit 26. For convenience of description, these components are referred to as "external components" that communicate with the electrical appliance 100.

11 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a coupling position of a communication module according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the electrical appliance 100 according to the present invention includes a door 130 coupled to one side of the case 110 and selectively shielding an inner space of the case 110.

The door 130 has a perspective part 131 for viewing the inside of the case 110, a frame 136 for forming an edge of the perspective part 131, and rotation of the door 130. A hinge portion 132 forming a center and an inner protrusion 134 extending in the inner direction of the case 110 from the see-through portion 131 are included.

The hinge portion 132 includes a hinge protrusion 133 coupled to at least a portion of the case 110.

The case 110 includes a first case 112 disposed to contact the frame 136 and a second case 114 provided inside the first case 112. The first case 112 and the second case 114 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

The first case 112 and the second case 114 may include an opening having a shape corresponding to the door 130 to be coupled to the door 130. The inner protrusion 134 may extend into the case 110 through the opening to seal the opening.

The hinge protrusion 133 extends from one side of the hinge portion 132 to an inner direction of the case 110 and is coupled to the second case 114.

On the other hand, in the spaced space between the first case 112 and the second case 114, a communication module 135 for performing communication of the electrical appliance 100 is disposed. The communication module 135 may be fixed by the hinge protrusion 133.

In detail, the communication module 135 may be coupled to one side of the hinge protrusion 133 or through-coupled by the hinge protrusion 133. In this case, when the hinge protrusion 133 is “penetrated through” the communication module 135, it may be understood that the hinge protrusion 133 is actually penetrated through the case 220 (see FIG. 12) of the communication module 135. .

As such, since the communication module 135 is disposed on the hinge unit 132, an additional space for disposing a communication module in the electrical appliance 100 may not be required.

In addition, in view of the fact that the door 130 is generally provided in the front portion of the electrical appliance, it is possible to obtain an effect that the signal can be transmitted and received smoothly.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of how the module assembly is coupled to the electrical appliance. For the parts not described, reference numerals and descriptions of the above-described embodiments are used.

12 is a view showing a first embodiment of a module assembly according to the present invention, Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the module assembly is coupled to the module coupling portion.

12 and 13, a module assembly 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a communication module 210 provided as a communication means of an electric appliance 100 and the communication module 210 therein. It includes a module case 220 to accommodate and a first protrusion 230 provided inside the module case 220 and provided as a coupling means of the module assembly 200.

The communication module 210 may be a modem capable of wired or wireless communication. For example, the communication module 210 may be a Zigbee module, a Bluetooth module, a Wifi access point (AP), or a power line communication module.

The module case 220 is configured to shield the outside of the communication module 210 to protect the communication module 210. The front part of the module case 220 may be opened, and the communication module 210 located therein may be identified through the opened front part.

The module case 220 may be a non-conductor, or the inside or the outside thereof may be coated with a non-conductive material. In this case, signal transmission and reception can be easily performed. When the module case 220 is made of a metal body, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon in which signal transmission is disturbed.

The first protrusion 230 may be provided in plural, and is configured to protrude in an inner direction of the module case 220 from an inner side surface of the module case 220.

The communication module 210 is deeply fixed inside the module case 220. That is, in the direction shown in FIG. 12, the communication module 210 is disposed behind the first protrusion 230 (ground direction).

The communication module 210 is fixed inside the module case 220, and the fixing method may include a coupling by a fastening member 240 (see FIG. 13) or a coupling by an adhesive member.

The module assembly 200 may be coupled to a module coupling part 300 provided in the electrical appliance 100. Here, the module coupling part 300 may be a portion to which the module assembly 200 is coupled, for example, the inside of the control panel 120, one side of the main control part, and a door hinge part.

The module coupling part 300 includes a case insertion groove 310 into which the module case 220 is inserted and a second protrusion 320 coupled to the first protrusion 230.

The case insertion groove 310 is recessed in one direction so that at least a portion of the module case 220 may be inserted. In addition, the second protrusion 320 protrudes from the inside of the case insertion groove 310.

The module case 220 may be press-coupled to the module coupling part 300. That is, based on the direction shown in FIG. 13, when the module case 220 is pressed from the left to the right direction, the edge portion of the module case 220 is inserted into the case insertion groove 310.

In this process, the first protrusion 230 interferes with the second protrusion 320. In addition, when the pressing force is continuously applied, the module case 220 may be elastically deformed and the first protrusion 230 may be coupled to one side of the second protrusion 320 while passing over the second protrusion 320. .

According to the configuration as described above, the module assembly 200 can be easily coupled to the case insertion groove 310 through the process (straight movement) is pressed toward the module coupling portion 300.

14 is a cross-sectional view showing a module assembly coupled to the module coupling unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, the module assembly 400 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be rotatably coupled to the module coupling part 500 provided in the electrical appliance 100.

The module assembly 400 includes a communication module 410, a module case 420 accommodating the communication module 410, and a fastening member 440 coupling the communication module 410 to the module case 420. ) Is included.

In addition, the module assembly 400 may include a first screw coupling part 450 to allow the module assembly 400 to be coupled to the module coupling part 500. In addition, the module coupling part 500 includes a second screw coupling part 550 for guiding the coupling of the module assembly 400.

The first screw coupling portion 450 may be rotatably coupled to the second screw coupling portion 550.

The module assembly 400 may be easily coupled to the module coupling part 500 using a rotation force.

Other embodiments are suggested.

In the above embodiments, the module assembly has been described as being built-in coupled to the module coupling portion using the pressing force or rotation coupling force, on the other hand, using a separate fastening member (for example, bolts or rivets), or the adhesive force is A method of joining through a strong adhesive member may also be proposed.

10: utility network 20: home network
30: component 40: information
100: electrical appliance 120: control panel
125: communication module 130: door
200: module assembly 300: module coupling portion

Claims (18)

In the electrical appliance that consumes the energy generated by the energy generating unit, and having at least one control unit for driving,
A communication module for enabling communication between the electrical appliance and external components provided outside of the electrical appliance,
The external component includes an energy measuring unit having communication means for communicating information about power with the communication module,
The communication module,
Electrical appliances, characterized in that provided in a position to receive the power supplied to the control unit for driving the electrical appliances. The method of claim 1,
The communication module is coupled to the control unit. The method of claim 2,
In the control unit,
An electrical appliance comprising a main control unit for controlling the operation of one component provided for performing the function of the electrical appliance. The method of claim 2,
In the control unit,
An electrical appliance including a panel control unit for controlling a control panel for displaying the operating state of the electrical appliance. The method of claim 4, wherein
The control panel is provided on the front of the electrical appliance,
The communication module is disposed inside the control panel. The method of claim 2,
In the control unit,
An electrical appliance having a coupling port to which the communication module is coupled. The method of claim 2,
The communication module is an electrical appliance that is wired to the control unit. In the electrical appliance that consumes the energy generated by the energy generating unit, and having at least one control unit for driving,
A case forming an appearance;
A door provided at the front of the case and shielding an inner space of the case; And
A communication module for enabling communication between the electrical appliance and external components provided outside of the electrical appliance,
The external component includes an energy measuring unit including communication means for communicating information about power with the communication module,
The communication module is an electrical appliance, characterized in that disposed on the front portion or the door of the electrical appliance. The method of claim 8,
And a hinge unit forming a center of rotation of the door, wherein the communication module is mounted to the hinge unit. The method of claim 1,
In the electrical appliance,
Electrical appliance further comprises a module coupling unit to which the communication module is coupled. 11. The method of claim 10,
And the communication module is press-coupled to the module coupling part. The method of claim 11,
A first protrusion provided at one side of the communication module; And
The electrical appliance is provided on the module coupling portion, further comprising a second projection coupled to the first projection. 11. The method of claim 10,
And said communication module is rotationally coupled to said module coupling portion. The method of claim 13,
A first screw coupling part provided at one side of the communication module; And
The electrical appliance further comprises a second screw coupling portion provided on the module coupling portion, the second screw coupling portion is rotatably coupled to the first screw coupling portion. 11. The method of claim 10,
Electrical appliance further comprises a fastening member for coupling the communication module to the module coupling portion. 11. The method of claim 10,
And an adhesive member interposed between the communication module and the module coupling portion to couple them. In the electrical appliance that consumes the energy generated by the energy generating unit, and having at least one control unit for driving,
A communication module for enabling communication between the electrical appliance and external components provided outside of the electrical appliance; And
A module case is further included to protect the outside of the communication module.
The external component includes an energy measuring unit having communication means for communicating information about power with the communication module,
The module case is made of a non-conductive material, or the electrical appliance, characterized in that the inside or outside is coated with a non-conductive material. The method of claim 8,
The front panel is provided with a control panel,
The communication module is disposed on the control panel.

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