JP2010169314A - Energy use condition reporting system and remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an energy use condition reporting system enabling a user to easily detect how energy consumption is performed by which device. <P>SOLUTION: The energy use condition reporting system includes: an operating element detection means 20 for detecting an operating system element; an energy flow detection means 21 for detecting an energy delivery/reception state between system elements; and a remote control device 11. A display screen of the remote control device 11 includes a system element display region and an energy flow display region. The remote control device includes: an operating element reporting means 23 for reporting the system element display region of the system element which is currently used as an operation display state when receiving an operating element detection signal outputted by the operating element detection means 20; and an energy flow reporting means 24 for reporting the energy delivery/reception state between the respective system elements which are currently used by bringing the energy flow display region into a delivery/reception display state when receiving an energy delivery/reception signal for transmitting energy delivery/reception information between the respective system elements which are currently used. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an energy usage status notification system for notifying an energy usage status and a remote control device used therein in an energy consumption system for energy saving such as a cogeneration system and a solar power generation system.

  In recent years, energy consumption systems such as cogeneration systems, solar power generation systems, and HEMS (Home Energy Management System) (see Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2) have been widely used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. It is being advanced. In such an energy consumption system, in order to encourage the user to promote energy conservation, information on the amount of energy used, energy usage status, energy conservation advice, etc. as user interface functions that serve as a point of contact between the system and the user A function to display is required.

  As a conventional energy usage status notification method, a user's energy usage status is displayed as a graph or a number, such as a HEMS remote control (see Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2) and an Enerique Remote Control (see Non-Patent Document 3). There is known a method for providing information.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an energy saving advice service providing screen using the HEMS remote controller described in Non-Patent Document 1. FIG. 7A shows the entire remote controller, which uses a multi-function remote controller used in a normal heat pump type water heater. FIG. 7B shows a state where the energy saving monitor screen is displayed.

  The remote control device 101 is used for the purpose of inputting an instruction from a user to the hot water supply system including a heat pump type hot water heater or displaying the state of the system, and includes an LCD screen 102 with a touch panel operation function. ing. In addition, the remote control device 101 can communicate with a service center server that performs an energy saving service through the Internet, and also has an information providing function of HEMS. Information provision is realized by a browser function. When the user wants to check the past electricity usage status, the user accesses the server of the service center by operating the touch panel on the LCD screen 102, and the content of energy saving advice such as the daily electricity usage graphed delivered from the center. Display information. As a result, the user can easily view the energy usage status and easily utilize the HEMS in daily life.

  In the example of the energy saving monitor screen shown in FIG. 7 (b), the amount of electricity used in the past is accumulated every hour and is shown by a bar graph. The user can check this graph and check the time zone when the amount of electricity used is large, which can be used for energy saving.

  FIG. 8 is an example of an energy saving monitor screen described in Non-Patent Document 2. In FIG. 8A, the usage state of power energy for each hour of the day is displayed by a line graph, and in FIG. 8B, the usage state of power energy for each day is displayed by a line graph. In addition to power, the amount of gas used can be displayed.

  FIG. 9 is an example of an energy saving monitor screen of the energy look remote controller described in Non-Patent Document 3. The EneLook Remote Control operates a home cogeneration system "Eco Will (registered trademark)" equipped with a combined heat and power supply device (a device that generates electricity using city gas and supplies heat generated by power generation) and a hot water storage tank. It is a remote control device used for. A gas engine power generation unit is used for the cogeneration apparatus. An LCD screen is used as the monitor screen.

FIG. 10 is a display example of the energy saving monitor screen of the energy look remote controller of FIG. 9 (see Non-Patent Document 4). FIG. 10A is a monitor screen that displays a future power generation scheduled time period estimated from the past record of the amount of electricity used. Thereby, since the user can confirm beforehand the time zone which a gas engine power generation unit operates, it can confirm that the advantageous electricity obtained by private power generation can be used for the time zone. FIG. 10B is a monitor screen that displays the time when the bath is boiled using the exhaust heat generated by the gas engine power generation unit. FIG. 10C is a monitor screen for confirming the power generation amount and the power generation amount in units such as one month (30 days) today. In this case, the power generation unit price is calculated using a preset value. FIG. 10D is a monitor screen for confirming the amount of hot water boiled using power generation stored in the hot water storage tank. The user can reduce energy consumption by using hot water when hot water is sufficiently stored in the hot water storage tank. FIG. 10E is a monitor screen for confirming data on past power generation results, hot water supply usage, heating usage, and engine exhaust heat. Each amount is integrated every hour and displayed as a bar graph every hour. Thereby, the user can visually confirm how much energy is consumed at which time. FIG. 10F is a monitor screen of “no hot water filling setting”. Unlike normal, by performing “no hot water filling setting” on a day when the user does not need hot water filling, unnecessary hot water is not stored when the bath is not used, which is economical. FIG. 10G is a monitor screen for “holiday setting”. By performing “holiday setting” during holidays and visitors, it is possible to prevent the learning function from reflecting electricity and hot water usage different from usual. Thereby, the accuracy of the learning function is improved and energy saving is achieved. FIG. 10H is a monitor screen displaying “green index”. The “Green Index” is an index that is obtained by converting CO ₂ emissions reduced by the operation of the cogeneration system into the number of “cedar trees”. The user can easily confirm the “green index” on the monitor screen, and is expected to promote energy saving.

Kenichi Ishida, Yoshiro Ito, “Trends in Measurement and Control Technology in the IT Age (4) Home Appliance Linkage Control by HEMS”, Air Conditioning and Sanitary Engineering, Society of Air Conditioning and Hygiene Engineering, May 2006, Vol. 80, No. 5, pp.53-58. Rie Wakana, “About Home Energy Management System”, [online], November 26, 2002, Echonet Consortium HP, [searched November 27, 2008], Internet, <URL: http: //www.echonet.gr.jp/2_consor/img/3_5_Mitsubishi_HEMS.pdf> Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., “Urban gas energy system for realizing a low-carbon society” [online], May 15, 2008, Ministry of Finance HP, [searched November 27, 2008], Internet, <URL: http://www.mof.go.jp/singikai/zaisanfollow_up/siryou/20080515/tokyogas.pdf> Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., “Home Cogeneration Eco-Will”, [online], November 2008, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. HP, [searched November 21, 2008], Internet, <URL: http: //www.nipg .co.jp / ecowill / 0-difference-h.html>

  As described above, in the conventional energy usage status notification system, the user is encouraged to promote energy saving by displaying the energy usage results and operation schedule in a graph, and the user can save energy. Information will be provided so that energy usage can be performed.

  However, in the conventional energy usage status notification system, since statistically processed data such as the integrated value of energy and the green index is displayed on the monitor screen of the remote control device, which device is used and how. There is a problem that the user cannot perceive energy saving.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to easily detect how and in which device a user consumes energy in an energy consumption system such as a cogeneration system or a photovoltaic power generation system. It is in providing the energy usage condition alerting | reporting system which enables it to do.

  The energy usage status notification system according to the present invention includes an energy supply source that supplies electric or thermal energy such as a combined heat and power supply device, a solar power generation device, and a commercial power source, and energy that consumes energy supplied from the energy supply source. In an energy consumption system comprising a consumer device, energy use for notifying energy usage status between each of the energy supply sources and each of the energy consumer devices (hereinafter referred to as “system elements”) constituting the energy consumer system A status notification system, an operating element detection means for detecting the system element currently operating in the energy consumption system, and a state of energy transfer between the system elements currently operating in the energy consumption system Detecting energy flow detection hand And a remote control device comprising a display screen for displaying the energy usage status in the energy consumption system, wherein the display screen of the remote control device displays a system element display area in which each system element is displayed as a character image And an energy flow display area in which the direction of energy flow between the system elements is displayed as an arrow or other direction indicating graphic, and the remote control device is output from the operating element detection means. Upon receiving an operating element detection signal that conveys information on the system element that is currently operating, the system element display area of the display screen that corresponds to the system element that is currently used based on the operating element detection signal Operating element informing means for informing by setting the display state to indicate the operating state, When receiving an energy transfer signal output from the energy flow detection means and transmitting information of energy transfer between the system elements that are currently operating, based on the energy transfer signal, each of the currently operating Energy flow notifying means for notifying the state of energy transfer between system elements by setting the energy flow display area of the display screen to a display state representing the transfer state is provided.

  With this configuration, the display screen of the remote control device displays the currently operating system element and from which system element to which system element energy is transferred as a character image or direction indication graphic. The user can easily sense how energy is consumed by which device.

  Here, the “energy supply source” refers to a system element that supplies energy of electricity or heat, and examples thereof include a combined heat and power device such as a gas engine power generation unit, a solar power generation device, a commercial power source, and an auxiliary heat source device. It is done. “Energy consuming equipment” refers to equipment that consumes energy supplied from an energy supply source, and includes appliances for consuming energy such as faucets and showers in addition to so-called machines, such as floor heating devices, Illumination devices, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, hot water taps, showers, auxiliary heat sources, and the like can be given. The auxiliary heat source device is an energy supply source for faucets, showers, and the like, and also consumes electric power to operate, and thus becomes an energy consuming device. The energy consumption system may include an “energy storage device” that stores energy in addition to the “energy supply source” and the “energy consumption device”. Examples of the “energy storage device” include a hot water storage tank and a battery. As the “display screen” of the remote control device, an LCD screen, an LED display, or the like can be used. The “direction indication graphic” is a graphic representing the flow direction, and is a graphic such as an arrow. The “display state indicating the operating state” refers to, for example, a lighting state of the operating state with respect to the non-operating state and a blinking state of the operating state with respect to the lighting state of the non-operating state. The “display state indicating the transfer state” refers to a state in which the transfer state is displayed so that the transfer state can be visually recognized, for example, by turning on or blinking the direction indicator graphic or moving the lighting position in the flow direction. Say.

  Further, in the energy usage status notifying system according to the present invention, the system includes a usage efficiency calculation means for calculating an energy saving index in the energy consumption system and determining a rank of current usage efficiency of the energy, and the display screen of the remote control device is An energy-saving display area for displaying a rank of energy use efficiency as a character image or a character image, and the remote control device outputs an energy-saving rank representing the rank of energy use efficiency output from the use efficiency calculating means When the signal is received, a character image corresponding to the energy saving rank signal is displayed in the energy saving display area, whereby energy saving notification means for notifying energy use efficiency can be provided.

  With this configuration, the user can visually confirm the energy saving index easily, and thus the user can be encouraged to promote energy saving.

Here, the “energy saving index” refers to an index indicating how much energy can be saved by the energy consumption system. For example, the Green Index (for example, by supplying household electricity, hot water supply, and heating with a cogeneration system) the reduction can amount of CO ₂ that is indexed in terms of the number of cedar trees), it is energy saving index described in Japanese Patent No. 3970239.

  A remote control device according to the present invention includes an energy supply source that supplies electric or thermal energy such as a combined heat and power supply device, a solar power generation device, and a commercial power source, and an energy consuming device that consumes energy supplied from the energy supply source. And a function of notifying energy usage status between each energy supply source and each energy consuming device (hereinafter referred to as “system element”) constituting the energy consumption system. A remote control device, wherein each system element is displayed as a character image, a system element display area, and an energy flow display in which the direction of energy flow between the system elements is displayed as an arrow or other direction indication graphic A display screen having a region and a control of the energy consumption system. Upon receiving an operating element detection signal that is output from the device and transmits information on the system element that is currently operating, the display screen corresponding to the system element that is currently used based on the operating element detection signal Operating element notifying means for informing the system element display area of the display state representing the operating state, and energy between the currently operating system elements output from the control device of the energy consumption system When receiving an energy transfer signal for transmitting / receiving information, the energy transfer state of the display screen is displayed in the energy flow display area on the basis of the energy transfer signal. An energy flow notifying means for notifying by indicating a display state indicating a delivery state, To.

  In the remote control device according to the present invention, the display screen has an energy saving display area for displaying a rank of energy use efficiency as a character image, and the energy use efficiency output from the energy consumption system is displayed. When the energy saving rank signal representing the rank is received, an energy saving notification means for notifying energy use efficiency is provided by displaying a character image corresponding to the energy saving rank signal in the energy saving display area. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, on the display screen of the remote control device, a character image and a direction indication indicate which system element is currently operating and which system element is receiving energy from and to which system element. It is displayed as a graphic, and the user can easily sense how energy is consumed by which device. Accordingly, the user can know which device is used and how the energy saving effect is enhanced, so that the device can be used more efficiently.

It is a figure showing the whole structure of the energy consumption system to which the energy usage condition alerting | reporting system which concerns on Example 1 of this invention is applied. It is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the energy usage condition alerting | reporting system used for the energy consumption system of FIG. It is an energy usage condition notification image. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the energy usage condition alerting | reporting system which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure showing the change of the character image 41c of the shape of a light bulb displayed in the character image 41 showing the generator 6. FIG. It is a figure showing the change of the character image 41b showing an energy saving rank. It is a figure which shows an example of the energy saving advice service provision screen using the HEMS remote control of a nonpatent literature 1. FIG. It is an example of the energy saving monitor screen described in Non-Patent Document 2. It is an example of the energy saving monitor screen of the energy look remote controller of nonpatent literature 3. It is an example of a display of the energy saving monitor screen of the energy look remote controller of FIG.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an energy consumption system to which an energy usage status notification system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, a cogeneration system is shown as an example of an energy consuming system. However, the “energy consuming system” can be applied to a solar hot water supply system, a gas or petroleum hot water supply heating system, and the like. Can do.

  In FIG. 1, electric power is supplied from a commercial power source 1 to an indoor distribution board 3 provided in a house 2. The house 2 is provided with a gas engine power generation unit 4 and a waste heat utilization hot water storage / heating unit 5.

  The gas engine power generation unit 4 is a combined heat and power supply device that uses city gas to generate power with the generator 6 and supplies heat generated by the power generation as hot water.

  The waste heat utilization hot water storage / heating unit 5 is a device for supplying hot water used in the heating equipment and hot water supply equipment in the house 2. The hot water storage tank 7, the auxiliary heat source 8, the heating pump 51, and the exhaust heat pump 52. , Bath pump 53, circulation pump 54, heat exchangers 55, 56, 57, 58 and the like.

  The auxiliary heat source device 8 is a device that generates heat supplementarily by burning gas when the heat generated by the gas engine power generation unit 4 is insufficient. The hot water storage tank 7 is a tank for storing hot water generated by the gas engine power generation unit 4 and the auxiliary heat source unit 8. The heating pump 51 is a pump for circulating hot water to various types of hot water heating equipment, and the exhaust heat pump 52 is a pump for circulating hot water for exhaust heat recovery to the gas engine power generation unit 4 and a bath pump. 53 is a pump for circulating the bath water with respect to the bathtub 18, and the circulation pump 54 circulates water at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 7 to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 7 through the heat exchanger 57 and the auxiliary heat source device 8. This is a pump for boiling the hot water in the tank 7. The heat exchanger 57 is a heat exchanger for supplying heat generated by the gas engine power generation unit 4.

  The gas engine power generation unit 4 and the exhaust heat utilization hot water storage / heating unit 5 are respectively provided with controllers 9 and 10 for operation control. In addition, a user inputs an instruction to the gas engine power generation unit 4 and the exhaust heat utilization hot water supply / heating unit 5 inside the house 2, or from the gas engine power generation unit 4 or the exhaust heat utilization hot water supply / storage heating unit 5. One or more remote control devices 11 for notifying the user of information are provided. Each of these remote control devices 11 includes a display 11a composed of an LCD panel. The controllers 9 and 10 of the gas engine power generation unit 4 and the exhaust heat utilization hot water storage and heating unit 5 and the respective remote control devices 11 are connected by a communication cable or a wireless line, and can communicate with each other. Moreover, the indoor distribution board 3 includes a current sensor 3a for measuring the power supplied from the commercial power source 1, and the current value detected by the current sensor 3a is passed through a communication cable to the gas engine power generation unit. 4 to the controller 9. As a result, the controller 9 can detect the amount of power supplied from the commercial power source 1.

  Inside the house 2, as energy consuming equipment, floor heaters 12, indoor radiators 13, heating equipment such as a bathroom heater / dryer 14, kitchen hot-water tap 15, wash-water hot-water tap 16, bathroom hot-water tap 17 with shower, etc. A hot water supply device, a bathtub 18, and various electric products 19 such as lighting, a washing machine, a television, and a refrigerator are provided.

  Energy supply source of commercial power source 1 and generator 6, auxiliary heat source 8, floor heating device 12, indoor radiator 13, bathroom heating dryer 14, kitchen hot water tap 15, wash water hot water tap 16, bathroom hot water tap with shower 17, the bathtub 18, and the energy consuming equipment of each electric product 19 are referred to as “system elements”.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the energy usage status notification system used in the energy consumption system of FIG. In FIG. 2, components corresponding to those in FIG. The controller 9 or the controller 10 includes an operating element detection unit 20, an energy flow detection unit 21, and a usage efficiency calculation unit 22.

  The operating element detection means 20 detects a system element that is currently operating in the energy consumption system and outputs it as an operating element detection signal. The energy flow detection means 21 detects the state of energy transfer between each system element currently operating in the energy consumption system and outputs it as an energy transfer signal. The usage efficiency calculating means 22 calculates an energy saving index in the energy consumption system, determines a rank of the current energy usage efficiency, and outputs it as an energy saving rank signal.

  Each remote control device 11 includes a display 11a having a touch panel function, an operating element notification unit 23, an energy flow notification unit 24, and an energy saving notification unit 25. Further, on the display screen of the display 11a of each remote controller 11, an energy usage status notification image as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed as an image for notifying the user of the energy usage status from the controllers 9 and 10. The

  The energy usage status notification image in FIG. 3 includes, as character images of system elements, a power pole character image 31 representing the commercial power source 1, a house character image 32 representing the house 2, electric lamps representing various electrical products 19, a washing machine, TV, refrigerator character images 33, 34, 35, 36, hot water tank character image 37 representing hot water tank 7, auxiliary heat source character image 38 representing auxiliary heat source 8, kitchen hot water tap 15, wash water hot water tap 16, Shower character image 39 representing a hot water supply device such as a bathroom hot water tap 17 with a shower, heating device character image 40 representing a hot water heating device such as a floor heating device 12, an indoor radiator 13, and a bathroom heating dryer 14, a gas engine power generation A generator character image 41 representing the unit 4 is displayed. In the hot water tank character image 37, an indicator image 37a that increases or decreases according to the amount of hot water stored in the hot water tank 7 is displayed. In addition, in the character image 38 of the auxiliary heat source unit, an operation display mark 38a indicating the operating state / non-operating state of the auxiliary heat source unit 8 is displayed.

  In addition, in the energy usage status notification image, an arrow image 42 representing the flow of electric energy from the commercial power source 1 to the various electric products 19 as a direction indicating graphic representing the flow direction of energy between the system elements, gas engine power generation An arrow image 43 representing the flow of electrical energy from the unit 4 to the various electrical products 19, an arrow image 44 representing the flow of thermal energy from the gas engine power generation unit 4 to each hot water heater, and the hot water storage tank 7 from the gas engine power generation unit 4 Arrow image 45 representing the flow of heat energy to the heat source, arrow image 46 representing the flow of heat energy from the exhaust heat utilization hot water supply / heating unit 5 to the hot water heater, heat from the exhaust heat utilization hot water supply / heating unit 5 to the hot water heater Arrow images 47 representing energy flows are respectively displayed.

  Here, the arrow images 42 and 43 representing the flow of electric energy are white arrow images, and the arrow images 44, 45, 46 and 47 representing the heat energy flow are non-white arrow images. And visually distinguishable.

  Further, the amount of electricity used is displayed as a character image 48 below the character image 31 of the utility pole in the energy usage status notification image. Below the shower character image 39, a character image 39a for displaying the hot water temperature, a high temperature display image 39b for displaying whether the hot water temperature is high, and whether or not the hot water temperature can be set with the remote controller. A priority display image 39c is displayed. Further, on the side of the generator character image 41 of the energy usage status notification image, the character image 41a for displaying the rank of the energy use efficiency output by the use efficiency calculating means 22 corresponds to the rank. The character image 41b of the energy-saving mark that changes in response to this is displayed. Furthermore, a clock image 49 that displays the current time in characters is displayed in the lower right corner of the energy usage status notification image.

  On the display screen, an area in which the character images 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 of each system element are displayed is a “system element display area”, and each arrow image 42, 43 is displayed. , 44, 45, 46, 47 are referred to as “energy flow display areas”, and the character image 41a with the rank of energy use efficiency and the area where the character images 41b are displayed are referred to as “energy saving display areas”.

  When the operating element notifying unit 23 receives the operating element detection signal output from the operating element detecting unit 20, the operating element notifying unit 23 displays a system element display area on the display screen corresponding to the currently used system element based on the operating element detection signal. Is the display state representing the operating state.

  When the energy flow notification unit 24 receives the energy transfer signal output from the energy flow detection unit 21, the energy flow notification unit 24 displays the state of energy transfer between each system element currently operating based on the energy transfer signal. This is notified by displaying an arrow image in the energy flow display area.

  When the energy saving notification means 25 receives the energy saving rank signal output from the usage efficiency calculating means 22, the energy image is displayed by displaying the character image 41a and the character image 41b corresponding to the energy saving rank signal in the energy saving display area. Notify usage efficiency.

  The operation of the energy usage status notification system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the operation of the controller 9 or the controller 10 provided with the operating element detecting means 20, the energy flow detecting means 21, and the usage efficiency calculating means 22 is as follows.

  In step S1, the operating element detection unit 20 detects a system element that is currently operating. Here, the operating state of the hot water heating equipment such as the floor heating device 12, the indoor radiator 13, the bathroom heating dryer 14 and the like is performed by detecting whether or not the heating pump 51 is operating. The operating state of the hot water supply equipment such as the kitchen hot water tap 15, the bathroom hot water tap 16, and the bathroom hot water tap 17 with a shower is performed by detecting whether or not the circulation pump 54 is operating. The operating state of the electrical product 19 is performed by detecting whether or not current detection by the current sensor 3a or power generation by the generator 6 is performed. The operating element detection means 20 detects the amount of heat (heat storage amount) currently stored in the hot water storage tank 7 by a plurality of temperature sensors (not shown) provided in the hot water storage tank 7. Moreover, the operating element detection means 20 calculates the electric power currently supplied from the commercial power source 1 from the current value detected by the current sensor 3a.

  Next, in step S2, the energy flow detection means 21 detects the state of energy transfer between each currently operating system element. For example, if the operating element detecting means 20 detects that the generator 6 is operating and the exhaust heat pump 52 and the circulation pump 54 are operating, the energy flow detecting means 21 is connected to the gas engine power generation unit 4. It is detected that the electric energy is supplied to the various electric products 19 and the heat energy is supplied from the gas engine power generation unit 4 to the hot water storage tank 7. Further, if a current is detected by the current sensor 3a, it is detected that electric energy is being supplied from the commercial power source 1 to the various electric products 19. Further, if it is detected that the heating pump 51 is operating, it is detected that the heat energy is being supplied from the exhaust heat utilization hot water storage / heating unit 5 to the hot water heater. If the heating pump 51, the exhaust heat pump 52, the circulation pump 54, and the generator 6 are operating at the same time, electric energy is supplied from the gas engine power generation unit 4 to the various electric products 19, and the hot water storage tank 7 and It is detected that the heat energy is being supplied to the hot water heater.

Next, in step S3, the usage efficiency calculation means 22 calculates a green index for the entire energy consumption system, and determines the rank of the current usage efficiency of energy. Here, the green index means an index obtained by converting the amount of CO ₂ emissions reduced by the operation of the energy consumption system into the number of “cedar trees”.

  Next, in step S4, the controller 9 or the controller 10 transmits information on the currently operating system element detected by the operating element detection means 20 to each remote control device 11 as an operating element detection signal, thereby detecting the operating element. Information on the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 7 calculated by the means 20 and the power supplied from the commercial power source 1 is also transmitted to each remote controller 11. Also, information on the energy transfer state between the system elements detected by the energy flow detection means 21 is transmitted to each remote control device 11 as an energy transfer signal, and the rank of energy use efficiency calculated by the use efficiency calculation means 22 is obtained. It transmits to each remote control device 11 as an energy saving rank signal. Then, the process returns to step S1.

  Next, the operation of each remote control device 11 will be described.

  In step S11, the remote control device 11 determines whether or not there is an instruction input from the user. If there is no instruction input, the process waits, and if there is, the process proceeds to the next step S12.

  In step S12, the remote control device 11 determines whether or not the input instruction is an energy usage status display instruction. If it is not an energy usage status display instruction, various processes are performed according to the instruction (S13). If it is an energy usage status display instruction, an energy usage status notification image as shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S <b> 14, the remote control device 11 receives the operating element detection signal, the energy transfer signal, and the energy saving rank signal transmitted from the controller 9 or the controller 10, the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 7, and the power supplied from the commercial power source 1. Receive the information.

  In step S15, the operating element notification unit 23 sets the system element display area of the display screen corresponding to the currently used system element to a display state representing the operating state based on the operating element detection signal. Here, the “display state representing the operating state” means, for example, that all or part of the character image representing the system element is continuously lit (or blinked) in the system element display area. On the contrary, in the “display state indicating the non-operating state”, the character image is not displayed in the system element display area (or the continuous lighting display state is set).

  For example, when the electrical product 19 is in an operating state, character images 33, 34, 35, and 36 are displayed in the house character image 32, and when the electrical product 19 is in a non-operating state, the character images 33, 34, 35, and 36 are displayed. Is not displayed. When the generator 6 is in operation, a character image 41c in the form of a light bulb is displayed in the character image 41 representing the generator 6 and is changed as shown in FIG. Here, when the generator 6 is activated, since the generator 6 is operating but there is no power output, the left two character images 41c in FIG. 5 are alternately displayed. Displays the four character images 41c on the right side of FIG. 5 alternately. Thus, the user can recognize whether the generator 6 is generating power or starting up. When the kitchen hot water tap 15, the wash water hot water tap 16, or the bathroom hot water tap 17 with shower is opened and hot water is being supplied, the character image 39 in the water discharge state shown in FIG. 3 is displayed (or flashing). Is done. In addition, when a hot water heating apparatus such as the floor heating apparatus 12, the indoor radiator 13, the bathroom heating dryer 14, or the like is in operation, the character image 40 representing the heat radiation shown in FIG. 3 is displayed (or blinked). The Further, when the auxiliary heat source 8 is in operation, the character image 38a representing the flame shown in FIG. 3 is displayed (or blinked).

  Moreover, the operating element notification means 23 displays the indicator image 37a on the display screen based on the heat storage amount of the hot water storage tank 7 detected by the operating element detection means 20.

  Further, the operating element notifying unit 23 displays a character image 48 representing the power value on the display screen based on the power currently supplied from the commercial power source 1 detected by the operating element detecting unit 20.

  Further, the operating element notifying means 23 displays the time output by a clock (not shown) built in the remote control device 11 as a clock image 49 on the display screen.

  The operating element notification means 23 displays the hot water temperature set by the remote control device 11 as a character image 39a on the display screen, and when the hot water temperature is equal to or higher than a certain threshold (for example, 55 ° C.) The display image 39b is displayed on the display screen.

  In step S <b> 16, the energy flow notification unit 24 displays / hides the arrow images 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 based on the energy transfer signal output from the energy flow detection unit 21. That is, an arrow image between system elements that is assumed to receive energy by an energy transfer signal is in a continuously lit state or a state in which each white portion of the dotted line moves from the proximal end of the arrow to the distal end, and the transfer of energy is performed. The arrow image between the system elements which are not included is set in a non-display state.

  In step S17, the energy saving notification unit 25 displays the character image 41b and the character image 41a representing the energy saving rank on the display screen based on the energy saving rank signal. Here, the character image 41b changes as shown in FIG. 6 according to six energy saving ranks. In this way, by displaying the energy saving rank as the character image 41b, the user can easily recognize whether the energy efficiency of the current system usage state is good or bad.

  The present invention can be used in industries related to the manufacture of cogeneration systems and hot water supply devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Commercial power supply 2 House 3 Indoor distribution board 3a Current sensor 4 Gas engine power generation unit 5 Waste heat utilization hot water storage heating unit 6 Generator 7 Hot water storage tank 8 Auxiliary heat source 9, 10 Controller 11 Remote control device 11a Display 12 Floor heating device 13 Indoor radiator 14 Bathroom heater / dryer 15 Kitchen hot-water tap 16 Bathroom hot-water tap 17 Bathroom hot-water tap with shower 18 Bathtub 19 Electrical product 20 Operating element detecting means 21 Energy flow detecting means 22 Usage efficiency calculating means 23 Operating element notifying means 24 Energy flow Notifying means 25 Energy saving notifying means 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 41b Character image 37a Indicator image 38a Driving display mark 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 Arrow Image 39a, 41a, 48 Character image 39b High temperature display image 3 c priority display image 49 clock image 51 Heating pump 52 heat pump 53 bath pump 54 circulation pump 55, 56, 57, 58 heat exchanger

Claims (4)

In an energy consumption system comprising an energy supply source that supplies electric or thermal energy such as a combined heat and power supply device, a solar power generation device, a commercial power source, and an energy consuming device that consumes energy supplied from the energy supply source, An energy usage status notification system for notifying a usage status of energy between each energy supply source and each energy consuming device (hereinafter referred to as “system element”) constituting the energy consumption system,
Operating element detecting means for detecting the system element currently operating in the energy consuming system;
Energy flow detection means for detecting a state of energy transfer between the system elements currently operating in the energy consuming system;
A remote control device comprising a display screen for displaying the energy usage status in the energy consumption system,
The display screen of the remote control device has a system element display area in which each system element is displayed as a character image, an energy flow direction between the system elements as an arrow, and other energy that is displayed as a direction indication graphic. Has a flow display area,
The remote control device is
When receiving an operating element detection signal, which is output from the operating element detection means and transmits information on the system element that is currently operating, corresponds to the currently used system element based on the operating element detection signal Operating element notifying means for informing the system element display area of the display screen to be a display state representing an operating state;
Upon receiving an energy transfer signal that is output from the energy flow detection means and transmits information of energy transfer between each system element that is currently operating, the current operation is based on the energy transfer signal Energy flow notifying means for notifying the state of energy transfer between each system element by setting the energy flow display area of the display screen to a display state representing the state of transfer; and
An energy usage status notification system comprising: A use efficiency calculating means for calculating an energy saving index in the energy consumption system and determining a rank of energy use efficiency at the present time,
The display screen of the remote control device has an energy saving display area for displaying a rank of energy use efficiency as a character image or a character image,
When the remote control device receives an energy saving rank signal that is output from the use efficiency calculating means and represents the rank of energy use efficiency, the character image corresponding to the energy saving rank signal is displayed in the energy saving display area. The energy usage status notification system according to claim 1, further comprising: energy saving notification means for notifying energy usage efficiency. Used in an energy consumption system comprising an energy supply source for supplying electric or thermal energy such as a combined heat and power supply device, a solar power generation device, a commercial power source, and an energy consuming device for consuming energy supplied from the energy supply source A remote control device having a function of notifying energy usage status between each energy supply source and each energy consuming device (hereinafter referred to as “system element”) constituting the energy consuming system,
A display screen having a system element display area in which each system element is displayed as a character image, an energy flow display area in which the direction of energy flow between the system elements is displayed as an arrow, and other direction indicating graphics;
Upon receiving an operating element detection signal output from the control device of the energy consumption system and transmitting information on the system element currently operating, the system element currently used based on the operating element detection signal Operating element notification means for informing the system element display area of the display screen corresponding to a display state representing an operating state;
When receiving an energy transfer signal output from the control device of the energy consumption system and transmitting energy transfer information between the currently operating system elements, based on the energy transfer signal, Energy flow notifying means for informing the state of energy transfer between each of the system elements by making the energy flow display area of the display screen a display state representing the state of transfer, and
A remote control device characterized by comprising: The display screen has an energy saving display area for displaying a rank of energy use efficiency as a character image,
Upon receiving an energy saving rank signal that is output from the energy consumption system and represents a rank of energy use efficiency, the character image corresponding to the energy saving rank signal is displayed in the energy saving display area to thereby display the energy use efficiency. The remote control device according to claim 3, further comprising an energy saving notification unit that notifies

Images