JP2014131476A - Adapter, controller, electric apparatus, and power management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of possibility of unawareness of occurrence of a power consumption suppression request from a controller because of overuse of electricity, of a user of an electric apparatus consuming much power causing the power consumption suppression request, even when an electric apparatus having a low priority is temporarily turned off after receiving the power consumption suppression request.SOLUTION: A controller 3 outputs a power suppression instruction to an adapter 5 when indoor power consumption becomes larger than a predetermined value, and outputs a power suppression release instruction to the adapter 5 when, after that, the indoor power consumption becomes lower than a predetermined value. When receiving the power suppression instruction, the adapter 5 suppresses power consumption of an electric apparatus and simultaneously starts time counting; and restores the power consumption of the electric apparatus to an original value in the case that a time counting value is smaller than a predetermined value when receiving the power suppression release instruction, and does not restore the power consumption of the electric apparatus to the original value in the case that the time counting value is larger than a predetermined value when receiving the power suppression release instruction.

Description

  The present invention detects and controls electric power consumed by an electric device when using the electric device, prevents a breaker from being cut off due to excessive use of electricity, and promotes energy saving of electric power consumption in the home, controller, The present invention relates to an electric device and a power management method.

  An example of a conventional power control system is shown in FIG. The conventional power control system is configured by an adapter 76 having an adapter outlet 75 connected to an outlet 72 distributed from the distribution board 71 and connected to a commercial power source 70 and connected to a plug 74 of an electric device 73 and a controller 77. doing. The adapter 76 includes an adapter plug 78, a line connected to the adapter plug 78, a relay 79 provided on the line, a power detection unit 80 that detects power consumed by the electric device 73, and the relay 79. An energization control unit 81 that drives the power supply, an adapter control unit 82 that controls the energization control unit 81, a communication unit 83 that communicates with the controller 77, an adapter outlet 75 that is the end of the line, An adapter-side device control information transmission / reception means 84 is provided for obtaining the operation status of the electric device 73 from the electric device 73 and instructing the electric device 73 of the operation stage.

  The electrical equipment 73 is a refrigerator, dishwasher / dryer, washing / drying machine, microwave oven, rice cooker, etc. In this system, the equipment side equipment control information transmission / reception means 85 communicates with the adapter side equipment control information transmission / reception means 84 of the adapter 76. This is an electric device having a so-called network function. Reference numeral 86 denotes device control means constituted by a microcomputer.

  Further, the controller 77 detects the power consumed by all the electrical devices connected to the communication means 87 that communicates with the communication means 83 of the adapter 76, the controller control means 88, and the main breaker of the distribution board 71. Means 90 and 91 are provided. For the communication means 83 of the adapter and the communication means 87 of the controller, a power line carrier communication means, an infrared communication means, a weak wireless communication means, and a specific low power wireless communication means are used.

  Reference numerals 92 and 93 denote house code setting units. This is a setting unit for assigning a unique code for each house so that it does not communicate with the controller or adapter of the neighbor's system when the neighbor uses the same system. Is used.

  Reference numeral 94 denotes an adapter identification code setting unit, which is an identification code setting unit for the controller 77 to set an identification code for identifying the adapter, and assigns an adapter having the same identification code in the house. . This also uses a dip switch of about 8 to 16 bits.

  Reference numeral 95 denotes an identification code setting unit of the controller 77. Usually, since only one controller is used in one system, the identification code setting unit 95 of the controller 77 may be omitted.

  The identification code setting unit 94 may also serve as a priority between adapters when power is suppressed. For example, when power is insufficient, prioritization such as suppressing power in order from the smallest identification code is automatically performed.

A microcomputer is used for the adapter control means 82 and the controller control means 88. When the adapter control means 82 receives a signal of a power suppression instruction for the electrical device from the controller 77, the adapter control means 82 outputs a signal to the energization control unit 81 to operate the relay 79 and turn off the energization.

  Here, if the electrical device is used too much and the breaker rating is approached, or if the electrical device is used excessively and the breaker rating is exceeded, the controller 77 issues a power suppression instruction to the adapter 76 to the communication means 87 and communication means 83. Sent through. The adapter 76 operates to turn off the electrical device 73 by operating the internal relay 79.

  Since the device control means 86 of the electric device 73 is controlled by a microcomputer, when the power is turned off by the adapter 76, the micro device in the device side device control information transmission / reception means 85 of the electric device 73 is restored when the power is restored. The operation of the computer is reset, and the information in the RAM that stores the operation state of the electrical device before the power is turned off is lost, and the operation state before the energization control cannot be restored.

  Therefore, conventionally, when the controller 77 issues a power suppression instruction to the adapter 76, the device control unit 86 of the electric device 73 first passes the adapter 76 through the device side device control information transmission / reception unit 85 and the adapter side device control information transmission / reception unit 84. An instruction is given to acquire information in the RAM necessary for return from a certain microcomputer.

  Based on this instruction, the device control means 86 transmits information in the RAM necessary for returning to the adapter 76 such as the operating state of the electric device stored at a predetermined address in the RAM. The information in the RAM is sent to the controller 77 by the adapter 76 and stored in the controller 77. The controller 77 transmits the in-RAM information to the adapter 76 together with an instruction to restore power when canceling power suppression. The adapter 76 resumes energization of the electrical device 73 by the relay 79 and operates the device control means 86, and then transmits the information in the RAM through the device side device control information transmission / reception means 85 and the adapter side device control information transmission / reception means 84. Return to the state before power suppression.

  As described above, conventionally, the information in the RAM necessary for restarting the operation of the device control unit 86 immediately before the start of power suppression by the controller 77 is returned to the device control unit 86 when the power is restored, so that the information is lost due to the power cut by the power suppression instruction. The RAM information of the microcomputer of the electric device 73 is restored so that the operation of the electric device 73 can be continued from the original state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-251760 A

  However, the conventional configuration is intended for an electric device having a so-called network function for exchanging information with an adapter. There is a high possibility that the number of electrical devices having network functions will increase in the future, but there are still few electrical devices that enable communication with other devices at present. In addition, it is technically possible to output the RAM information of the microcomputer to the outside, or to import the information related to the operation to the RAM from the outside, but it requires an advanced communication method with high reliability, which is costly. Few things are realized from the aspect. Then, the case where the electric stove is connected to the adapter as a general electric equipment which does not have a network function is demonstrated below.

For example, suppose the user is using an electric heater. At this time, if the controller is overused, the controller will issue a power suppression instruction to the adapter, and if the adapter turns off the power by operating the internal relay, the adapter will display that the electric stove has been turned off. Thus, the user can be informed that the electric heater has been temporarily turned off due to excessive use of the electric device.

  If a long time elapses with the electric stove automatically turned off, the user may forget that the electric stove is temporarily turned off. In this case, since the electric stove is turned off, it cannot be said that the user does not put a flammable object in front of the electric stove or put an flammable object such as an apron on the electric stove. The same is true if the user leaves this location and another person arrives at this location, who will later not know that the electric stove has been temporarily turned off. It can't be said that there is nothing to put flammable things in front of an electric stove or to put flammable things on an electric stove.

  Then, when the use of other devices is completed, for example, when there is enough power, the controller returns a power return signal to the adapter, operates the relay in the adapter, and starts energizing again. For this reason, heating of the electric stove started, and there was a possibility that a fire would be caused if a flammable object was placed in front of the electric stove or a flammable object was put on the electric stove.

  In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention measures the time from when power suppression is applied to when it is released, and receives a power return signal when the operation stoppage of the electrical device according to the power suppression instruction is short. An object of the present invention is to provide a system in which the energization is restored and the energization is not automatically restored even when the power restoration signal is received when the operation of the electric device is stopped for a long time by the power suppression instruction.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problem, when a first signal indicating a reduction in power consumption is received from a controller that manages power consumption, and when the first signal is received, an instruction to reduce the power consumption of the electric device is given at the same time. When the second signal indicating the increase in power consumption is received after the first signal is received and the second signal is received and the time count value is smaller than a predetermined value, the electric device When the second signal is received and the time count value is larger than a predetermined value, the power consumption of the electric device is not increased.

  As a result, in order to temporarily reduce the power consumption when overuse of electricity, once the power is turned off, it will be applied to an electrical device such as an electric stove where an unexpected event may occur if the power supply is automatically resumed. When the adapter is connected, the power supply is automatically restarted when the power is off for a short time, but the power supply is automatically restarted when the power is off for a long time. Therefore, it is possible to provide a power control system that can be used with peace of mind by the user.

  The power control system of the present invention is provided with a time measuring means for measuring a stop time of an electric device by a power suppression instruction. For example, when a power suppression instruction is issued to an electric stove or the like and the electric stove is stopped for a long time. Even if a power suppression release instruction is received, power supply to the electric stove is not automatically restarted, and power supply to the electric stove is automatically restarted if the power suppression instruction is issued for a short time. You can use the adapter with care and convenience.

System configuration diagram of power control system of the present invention Configuration diagram of controller of power control system Configuration diagram of adapter for stove connection of power control system Configuration diagram of adapter connected to air conditioner in power control system Configuration diagram of power control system status notification device Illustration of the screen displayed by the status notification device Control flow diagram of power control system Control flow diagram of power control system Configuration diagram of conventional power control system

  The first invention relates to an adapter, and when receiving a first signal that means a reduction in power consumption from a controller that manages power consumption, after reducing the power consumption of an electrical device to be connected and receiving the first signal When receiving a second signal that means an increase in power consumption, a controller that increases the power consumption of the connected electrical device, and a time from when the first signal is received and the power consumption of the connected electrical device is reduced. A timing unit that starts counting, and the control unit increases the power consumption of the electrical device to be connected when the second signal is received and the time count value by the timing unit is smaller than a predetermined value. When two signals are received and the time count value by the timer is larger than the specified value, the power consumption of the connected electrical equipment will not be increased, and the user will forget it. It is possible to prevent that to resume automatically the power supply to the electrical equipment even in the case was.

  The second invention increases the power consumption of the electrical equipment to be connected particularly when the control unit in the first invention receives the second signal and the time count value by the time measuring unit is larger than a predetermined value. In such a case, it is provided with a notification means for performing a notification indicating that the power consumption of the electric device is not increased, so that the user can easily be notified of the state of power suppression of the home appliance.

  The third invention relates to a power management method, a step of receiving a first signal that means a reduction in power consumption from a controller that manages power consumption, and a reduction in power consumption of an electric device when the first signal is received. A time count value is determined when a second signal is received, a step of receiving a second signal indicating an increase in power consumption after receiving the first signal, A step of increasing the power consumption of the electric device when it is smaller than the value of the step, and a step of not increasing the power consumption of the electric device when the second signal is received and the time count value is larger than a predetermined value. Therefore, even if the user forgets it, it is possible to prevent the energization of the electric equipment from being automatically restarted.

  The fourth invention relates to a controller, and when a power consumption in a house becomes larger than a predetermined value, a first signal indicating a reduction in power consumption is transmitted to an electric device via a communication unit. A control unit that transmits a second signal that means an increase in power consumption to the electrical device when the power consumption in the home is less than a predetermined value, and a time from when the first signal is transmitted A timing unit for starting time counting, and the control unit transmits a second signal when the power consumption in the house is smaller than a predetermined value and the time count value is smaller than a predetermined value. However, if the power consumption in the home is less than a predetermined value and the time count value is larger than the predetermined value, the second signal is not transmitted, and the user has forgotten Case It is possible to prevent that also to resume the power supply to the electrical equipment automatically.

A fifth invention relates to a power management method, and transmits a first signal that means a reduction in power consumption to an electric device when the power consumption in the house becomes larger than a predetermined value; The step of starting the time counting from the time when the first signal is transmitted, and the case where the power consumption in the house is smaller than a predetermined value and the time count value is smaller than the predetermined value, A step of transmitting a second signal indicating an increase, and a step of not transmitting the second signal when the power consumption in the house is less than a predetermined value and the time count value is greater than a predetermined value. It is possible to prevent the energization of the electric equipment from being automatically restarted even if the user forgets it.

  6th invention is an electric equipment connected with the controller which manages the power consumption in a house, When the 1st signal which shows that the power consumption in a house became larger than a predetermined value from a controller is received. A control unit that reduces power consumption of the electrical device, and a time counting unit that starts counting time from when the first signal is received and power consumption of the electrical device is reduced, and the control unit outputs the first signal After receiving the second signal indicating that the power consumption in the house is less than a predetermined value from the controller, if the time count value by the timer is smaller than the predetermined value, Increases the reduced power consumption, and prevents the power consumption of the electrical equipment from increasing when the time count value by the timer is greater than a predetermined value. Ri forget automatically the power supply to the electrical equipment even in the case had it is possible to prevent that to resume.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a power control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  1, in the embodiment of the present invention, the power lines L1 and L2 on the outlet side of the distribution board 1 into which a single-phase three-wire system 200V is drawn into the home are sandwiched between clamp-type current sensors 2, and the controller 3 To measure the power consumed in the home. To accurately measure the power consumed in the home, measure the voltage and calculate the power factor by looking at the voltage phase and current phase, or measure the voltage and current every 100 μs interval, for example. The power value must be calculated by adding the result of multiplying the voltage value and the current value for one AC cycle, but only the current measurement is possible because the power consumption in the home can be observed from the current value alone. In this method, the power is estimated.

  Since the controller 3 is usually attached to the upper part of the wall next to the distribution board 1 in the same manner as the distribution board, it is installed in the entrance, the entrance, the storage, the washroom, the toilet, and the like.

  To the output line of the distribution board 1, an AC 200V system is connected to an IH cooking heater 4, an AC 100V system is connected to a dryer 36 in the L1 phase, an adapter 5a to which a stove 7 is connected, and a living air conditioner 8 is connected to the L2 phase. The adapter 5b and the television 10 are connected.

  In addition, the controller 3, the adapters 5a and 5b, and the status notification device 9 include communication means (not shown) that communicates by radio waves as the first communication medium, and can transmit information to each other.

In particular, when the total power consumption is excessive, the controller 3 sends a power suppression instruction for restricting energization to the adapter 5a or the adapter 5b, and puts the electric device connected to the adapter into a power suppression state. After that, when the total power consumption is reduced and there is room, a power suppression release instruction for returning the power to normal is sent to the adapter 5a or the adapter 5b, and the electric device connected to the adapter is put into a normal state.

  As a radio wave communication method, a specific low-power radio using a 400 MHz band frequency is used. Reference numeral 6 denotes a wireless antenna of communication means for communicating with the first communication medium.

  The status notification device 9 can intercept wireless communication data transmitted in a space in the same system and collect information on each electrical device. The status notification device 9 includes a Web server as software, and includes characters and images. It is a unit that can be constructed at low cost because it does not have display means that can display.

  Furthermore, the status notification device 9 and the television 10 are internally provided with second communication means (not shown) for communicating with each other via a general-purpose LAN cable 11 which is a second communication medium. The TV 10 is provided with a Web browser, and is displayed on a screen using a Web browser of an electric device having a Web client function such as the TV 10 or a personal computer (not shown) via a general-purpose LAN cable. Information collected by the status notification device 9 can be browsed.

  In other words, the status notification device 9 and the television 10 or the status notification device 9 and a personal computer (not shown) serve as remote confirmation setting means 50, and perform various settings of the controller 3, the adapter 5a, or the adapter 5b, and check the operation status of each. It becomes an interface means with the user for doing.

  In addition, the number of televisions and personal computers that communicate with the status notification device 9 via the second communication medium LAN is not limited to one, and televisions and personal computers placed in various rooms communicate with the status notification device 9. Can interface with family members.

  Note that the general-purpose LAN is not specifically designated physically, and may be anything as long as it is a network network capable of transmission / reception using the HTTP protocol, and need not be wired.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a hub for branching and distributing LAN cables. The television 10 can be connected to the Internet 14 via a modem / router 13.

  In an actual home, many other electrical devices are connected. However, in order to simplify the description, the following description will be given as the above configuration.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the controller 3 of the power control system. The controller 3 transfers the signal from the clamp-type current sensor (2a in FIG. 1) attached to the L1 phase of the single-phase three-wire system 200V to the power system line. Similarly, the current flowing in the power system line is measured from the signal of the L1 current detector 15a that measures the flowing current and the signal of the clamp-type current sensor (2b in FIG. 1) attached to the L2 phase of the single-phase three-wire system 200V. There is an L2 current detector 15b, and the power value is calculated by the power calculator 16 based on the current values measured by the L1 current detector 15a and the L2 current detector 15b.

  When the power calculation means 16 detects excessive use of power, the controller 3 sends a power suppression instruction to the adapter with the lowest priority. In addition, when it is still detected that the power is excessively used, a power suppression instruction is sent to the electrical device having the next lowest priority. In addition, when the power is not overused for a certain period of time during power suppression, a power suppression release instruction is sent to the electrical device that has instructed power suppression.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes a communication means for communicating with a radio wave as a first communication medium. The control unit 18a performs arithmetic processing on the measured power data, analyzes a message received by the communication unit 17, and generates a transmission message for transmitting a control signal and data.

  The upper limit storage unit 19 stores the current value flowing in the L1 phase and the L2 phase and the upper limit value of power calculated based on this current value. The setting of the upper limit value may be described in advance in the microcomputer program of the control unit as a default value.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes an electric device power consumption storage unit, which stores the power consumption of the electric device connected to each adapter sent from the adapters 5a, 5b, etc. through the communication means 17 at intervals of 1 minute, for example.

  Although the same thing as the house code setting part 93 and the identification code setting part 95 shown in FIG. 9 of a prior art example may be required also for the controller 3 of this Example, illustration is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an adapter 5a connected to an electric device such as the stove 7 of the power control system. The adapter 5 a includes a power plug 23 and an outlet 24. The power plug 23 is plugged into a household outlet, and the power plug 25 of the stove 7 is plugged into the outlet 24.

  When the control unit 18b receives the power suppression instruction from the controller 3, the control unit 18b outputs a signal to the energization control unit 27 to open the relay 22 and cut off the energization to the electric device such as the stove 7, and conversely, the power can be provided. When the power suppression release instruction is received from the controller 3, a signal is sent to the energization control unit 27 to close the relay 22 and resume energization to the electric device such as the stove 7.

  The power detection means 26 always detects the power consumption of the electric equipment connected to the adapter 5a such as the stove 7 by the control unit 18b. The power detection means 26 measures the voltage of the commercial power source supplied to the electric equipment such as the stove 7 and the current flowing through the electric equipment such as the stove 7 at intervals of 100 μs, and multiplies the voltage value and the current value. The power value is calculated by adding the results obtained by one cycle of alternating current. Of course, a method of estimating the power only from the current value may be used.

  28 is a device operation determination means for determining the operation state and the stop state of the electric device connected to the adapter 5a. Whether the electric device such as the stove 7 is in the off state or the standby / stop state by the output of the power detection means 26, Judge whether it is operating / running state.

  Reference numeral 29 is a display means, which is composed of a light emitting diode in this embodiment, and is lit when the connected electrical device (stove 7 in FIG. 3) is turned off by a power suppression instruction from the controller 3. It is a power-suppressing display, and the green light is continuously turned on.

  Reference numeral 37 denotes a timing unit, which can start or stop timing according to an instruction from the control unit 18b, reset the timing content, and allow the control unit 18b to read the timing value.

  Reference numeral 55 denotes an energization resumption instruction switch, which is pressed when the user resumes energization after the energization is turned off by the power suppression instruction.

  Although the same thing as the house code setting part 92 and the identification code setting part 94 shown in FIG. 9 of a prior art example may be required also for the adapter 5a of this Example, illustration is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an adapter 5b connected to an electric device such as an air conditioner 8 of the power control system. The adapter 5b is connected to an electric device of a type that can start / stop operation, set values, operation modes, and the like using an infrared remote controller. On the other hand, the adapter 5a described above has no remote controller such as a toaster, a jar pot, or a stove, and is connected to an electric device of a type in which the user directly turns on and off the switch.

  In FIG. 4, a remote control transmission unit 31 transmits a remote control signal from an infrared light emitting diode, and transmits a control signal such as an operation mode such as cooling or heating of the air conditioner 8, temperature, air volume, etc. as a remote control signal.

  The remote control receiving unit 32 receives a remote control signal, intercepts the remote control signal transmitted by operating the remote control attached to the air conditioner 8, and stores the remote control signal data. When the adapter 5b puts the air conditioner 8 into the power suppression state or cancels the power suppression, the remote controller transmission unit 31 transmits a remote control signal to the air conditioner 8.

  The power consumption of the air conditioner 8 connected to the adapter 5b is always detected by the control unit 18c by the power detection means 26 in the same manner as the adapter 5a. Further, the device operation determination means 28 also determines whether the connected air conditioner 8 is in operation or in a stopped state in the same manner as the adapter 5a.

  Further, since the adapter 5b is provided with the remote control receiving unit 32, the operation of the air conditioner 8 can also be grasped by receiving the infrared remote control signal operated by the user with the remote control of the air conditioner with the remote control receiving unit 32. When the power suppression is released from the power suppression state, the contents previously operated by the user with the remote controller are stored, and the stored contents are sent to return the air conditioner from the power suppression.

  The control unit 18 c outputs a remote control signal for suppressing power from the remote control transmission unit 31 to the air conditioner 8 when the power suppression instruction is required from the controller 3 and the power suppression is necessary. Specifically, for example, the operation mode is changed from “heating” to “fan”. As an advantage of “air blowing”, the compressor of the air conditioner 8 is stopped, so that the power consumption of the air conditioner 8 can be reduced to about several tens of watts. Since it is understood that the air conditioner 8 has been stopped, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to attach the air conditioner 8.

  Similarly to the adapter 5a, the adapter 5b includes a power plug 23 and an outlet 24. The power plug 23 is plugged into a household outlet, and the power plug 25 of the air conditioner 8 is plugged into the outlet 24. The power detection means 26 can grasp the power consumption of the air conditioner 8.

  Further, if the air conditioner 8 itself includes a communication means for communicating with other electrical equipment via the first communication medium and a power calculation means for measuring its own power consumption, the air conditioner has a communication function and the adapter 5b is not required. It becomes.

  Similarly to the adapter 5a, the display means 29 of the adapter 5b in FIG. 4 is also formed of a light emitting diode, and the connected air conditioner 8 becomes, for example, a blower upper body in response to a power suppression instruction from the controller 3. This is a power-suppressed display that lights up when the power is on, and is continuously lit in green.

Further, if the IH cooking heater 4 has built-in communication means for communicating with other electrical equipment via the first communication medium and power calculation means for measuring the power consumption of itself, the IH cooking heater with communication function (electric equipment) It becomes possible to exchange information with the controller 3 and other electrical devices, and when power is insufficient during water heating, it is also possible to automatically turn off the water heating power and pass the power to other devices. become.

  Although the same thing as the house code setting unit 92 and the identification code setting unit 94 shown in FIG. 9 of the conventional example may be necessary for the adapter 5b of this embodiment, the illustration is omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the status notification device 9. Reference numeral 33 denotes a control unit of the status notification device 9, which basically has a function equivalent to that of a personal computer. The first communication means 17 exchanges information with the controller 3, the adapter 5a, or the adapter 5b.

  Reference numeral 34 denotes a second communication means for communicating with each other via a general-purpose LAN cable 11 as a second communication medium. Reference numeral 35 denotes a Web server function unit having Web server information for display on the screen of a partner terminal (such as a personal computer or a Web-compatible television).

  Although the same thing as the house code setting part 93 and the identification code setting part 95 shown in FIG. 9 of a prior art example may be required also for the status notification apparatus 9 of this Example, illustration is abbreviate | omitted.

  The electric device power consumption storage unit 20 is the same as that used for the controller 3, and the consumption of electric devices connected to each adapter sent from the adapters 5a, 5b, etc. through the communication means 17 at intervals of 1 minute, for example. It stores power.

  The controller 33 stores the value of the power consumption of each electric device sent from the adapters 5a, 5b, etc. in the electric device power consumption storage unit 20 by either the controller 3 or the status notification device 9. Therefore, if the controller 3 has the electric device power consumption storage unit 20, it is not necessary for the status notification device 9, and conversely if the status notification device 9 has the electric device power consumption storage unit 20, The device power consumption storage unit 20 is not necessary.

  Next, the operation will be described with reference to an explanatory diagram of a screen displayed on the television by the status notification device 9 in FIG. 6 and a flowchart in FIG. It is assumed that the TV 10 in FIG. 1 is installed in the living room and the stove 7 is installed in the kitchen, and the housewife is using the stove 7 while cooking in the kitchen. Furthermore, it is assumed that the air conditioner 8 in the living room is in a heating operation. Normally, the status notification device 9 transmits data from the second communication means to the living room TV 10 having the Web client function as the power consumption of the entire house as shown in FIG. The graph screen showing the time change from the morning is displayed.

  The controller 3 always monitors the total power consumption of this house (step S101), and periodically determines whether the total power consumption exceeds 5 kW (step S102). Then, it is assumed that the power consumption of the entire house has exceeded the allowable amount (for example, 5 kW) because another householder in the living room has changed the heating temperature of the air conditioner 8 to a higher temperature.

  When the power consumption of the entire house exceeds the allowable amount, the controller 3 tries to suppress the power in order from the lowest priority among the electric devices capable of suppressing the power in order to prevent the breaker of the distribution board from being cut off. . Normally, the priority of stoves and air conditioners is lowered, and cooking-related electric equipment that may interfere with the completion is raised. Furthermore, it is assumed that the stove 7 has a lower priority than the air conditioner 8.

Then, the controller 3 determines whether or not the stove 7 is used (step S103). If the stove 7 is not used, the controller 3 issues a power suppression instruction to the adapter 5b of the air conditioner 8 in order to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner 8 (step S103). S104). The adapter 5b changes the operation mode from “heating” to “fan” in order to suppress the power consumption of the air conditioner 8. The operation mode is changed by transmitting a remote control signal to the air conditioner 8 using the remote control transmission unit 31 of the adapter 5b (step S105).

  If the stove 7 is used, a power suppression instruction is issued to the adapter 5a of the stove 7 to turn off the stove 7 (step S106). In response to the power suppression instruction from the controller 3, the adapter 5a opens the relay 22 of the adapter 5a and turns off the power to the stove 7 (step S107).

  Further, the adapter 5a turns on the LED of the display means 29 to notify the user that the stove 7 has been temporarily turned off due to excessive use of power (step S108), and the time measuring operation of the time measuring unit 37 is performed. Start.

  In addition, the controller 3 continues to periodically monitor the power value of the main power even after issuing the power suppression instruction to the stove 7. If the total power consumption still exceeds the allowable amount, this time the air conditioner A power suppression instruction is issued to 8 (step S104).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, since the power consumption of the entire house has decreased, an operation will be described in the case where a power suppression release instruction is issued to an electrical device whose power has been suppressed. FIG. 8 is a flowchart when a power suppression instruction is issued to any electrical device to suppress power.

  Similarly, the controller 3 constantly monitors the total power consumption of this house (step S120), and periodically determines whether the total power consumption has dropped below 5 kW (step S121). Then, it is assumed that the other householders in the living room have stopped using the air conditioner 8, so that the power consumption of the entire house falls below an allowable amount (for example, 5 kW).

  When the power consumption of the entire house falls below the allowable amount after issuing the power suppression instruction, the controller 3 issues a power suppression release instruction to the electrical device that has been subjected to power suppression. This time, it will be investigated whether or not power suppression has been applied from electrical equipment with a high priority.

  Since the air conditioner has a higher priority, it is checked whether or not the air conditioner 8 has power suppression (step S122). If the air conditioner 8 has been subjected to power suppression, a power suppression release instruction is sent to the adapter 5b of the air conditioner 8 (step S123). In response, the adapter 5b of the air conditioner 8 returns the set temperature of the air conditioner 8 to the original temperature, or returns the air that has been blown to heating (step S124).

  In step S122, when the air conditioner 8 has not been subjected to power suppression, a power suppression cancellation instruction is issued to the adapter 5a of the stove 7 having the lowest priority (step S125).

  When the adapter 5a that has stopped energizing the stove 7 in response to the power suppression instruction receives the power suppression release instruction from the controller 3, it reads the time measured value of the timer 37 and receives the power suppression instruction for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) or longer. It is then determined whether or not the energization of the stove 7 has been stopped (step S126).

  If the timekeeping value of the timekeeping unit 37 is less than a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), the user has only temporarily turned off because the time has not passed since the stove was stopped. The controller 18b of the adapter 5a outputs a signal to the energization controller 27 to close the relay 22 and resume energization to the stove 7 (step S127).

Conversely, if the timekeeping value of the time measuring unit 37 exceeds a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), the stove is stopped and a considerable time has passed, and the user has only temporarily turned off the stove. Since there is a possibility that it has been forgotten, the controller 18b of the adapter 5a merely blinks the LED of the display means 29 and does not resume energization of the stove 7 (step S128).

  Although not described in the flowchart, when the user notices the blinking of the display means 29 and then presses the energization resumption instruction switch 55 of the adapter 5a, the controller 18b of the adapter 5a instructs the user to resume energization of the stove 7. It is determined that the power is supplied to the energization control unit 27, the relay 22 is closed, and the energization of the stove 7 is resumed.

  On the other hand, the status notification device 9 also intercepts the communication of the power suppression instruction from the controller 3 to the adapter 5a. When the instruction is issued, the power suppression instruction is detected and the image displayed on the television 10 is notified to the user that the switching stove 7 is temporarily stopped as shown in FIG. 6B (FIG. 6). (B) Message frame 42).

  In this way, if the power consumption of the whole house exceeds the allowable value and the stove is stopped, if the power consumption of the whole house falls below the allowable value and there is a margin in power, it still takes a long time after the stove is stopped. If not, it is judged that “the user recognizes that the heater is temporarily turned off”, and energization of the heater 7 is resumed, but time has passed since the heater was stopped. If it is determined that the user has forgotten that turning off the stove is temporary, the adapter simply flashes the LED on the display means 29 and goes to the stove 7. Do not resume energization. Therefore, a power monitoring system that can be used with confidence can be provided.

  In this embodiment, the adapter 5a counts the time during which the stove 7 is stopped in response to a power suppression instruction from the controller 3, but the controller 3 may count the time during which the stove 7 is stopped. In that case, the controller 3 judges the length of time for which the stove 7 is stopped. If the time for which the stove 7 is stopped is short, the controller 5 issues a power suppression release instruction to the adapter 5a of the stove 7, and the adapter 5a Immediately upon receipt, the energization of the stove 7 is resumed. Conversely, if the time during which the stove 7 has been stopped is long, the controller 3 gives an instruction to blink the display means to the adapter 5a of the stove 7, and the adapter 5a receives the instruction and the stove The LED of the display means 29 may be blinked while the energization to 7 is stopped.

  Furthermore, if the status notification device 9 of the remote confirmation setting means 50 intercepts the communication between the controller 3 and the adapters 5a and 5b and the stove is stopped for a long time, the power of the stove 7 can be obtained because there is enough power. You may make it display on television 10 that suppression can be cancelled | released.

  Similarly, the IH cooking heater 4 itself includes a communication means for communicating with other electrical devices via the first communication medium, a power calculation means for measuring its own power consumption, a display means 29 and a timer 37. For example, the controller 3 and other devices can be linked. For example, after receiving a power suppression instruction from the controller 3 and receiving a power suppression release instruction, if the time during which the power suppression is suppressed is short, However, if the time during which the power is suppressed is long, the display unit 29 can be blinked without automatically returning the heating power.

  If a liquid crystal display element is attached to the housing of the controller or adapter, the power consumption of the electrical device has been reduced, and the operation time information of the electrical device in that case is displayed on the controller or adapter to notify the user. You can also.

In the present embodiment, data transmission / reception is performed by specific low-power wireless communication that does not require wiring as the first communication medium. However, power line communication or wired connection may be used.

  In addition, all of this embodiment can be configured in the same manner as a program for causing a computer to function as all or part of the means of the power control system.

  Note that the means / units described in this embodiment include hardware resources such as a CPU (or microcomputer), a RAM, a ROM, a storage / recording device, an electrical / information electrical device including an I / O, a computer, a server, and the like. You may implement in the form of the program made to cooperate. In the form of a program, new functions can be easily distributed / updated and installed by recording them on a recording medium such as magnetic media or optical media or distributing them via a communication line such as the Internet.

  As described above, the power control system according to the present invention detects and controls the power consumed by the electric device when the electric device is used, prevents the breaker from being cut off due to excessive use of electricity, and saves power. It can be used for promoting systems.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,71 Distribution board 2a, 2b Current sensor 3, 77 Controller 4 IH cooking heater 5a, 5b, 50, 76 Adapter 6 Antenna 7 Stove 8 Air conditioner 9 Status notification device 10 Television 11 LAN cable 14 Internet 15a L1 Current detection part 15b L2 Current detection unit 17 Communication unit 18a, 18b, 18c, 33 Control unit 19 Upper limit storage unit 20 Electrical device power consumption storage unit 22 Relay 26, 80, 90, 91 Power detection unit 27 Energization control unit 28 Device operation determination unit 29 Notification unit 31 Remote control transmission unit 32 Remote control reception unit 34 Second communication unit 35 Web server function unit 37 Timing unit 55 Energization restart instruction switch 84 Adapter side device control information transmission / reception unit 85 Device side device control information transmission / reception unit

Claims (6)

When a first signal indicating reduction of power consumption is received from a controller that manages power consumption, a second signal that indicates an increase in power consumption after receiving the first signal, reducing the power consumption of the connected electrical device. A control unit that increases the power consumption of the electrical device to be connected;
A time measuring unit that starts counting time from when the first signal is received and power consumption of the electrical device to be connected is reduced,
The controller is
When the second signal is received and the time count value by the timekeeping unit is smaller than a predetermined value, the power consumption of the electric device to be connected is increased,
When the second signal is received and the time count value by the time measuring unit is larger than a predetermined value, the power consumption of the connected electrical device is not increased,
adapter. When the control unit receives the second signal and the time count value by the time measuring unit is larger than a predetermined value, the power consumption of the electrical device is not increased. A notification means for performing notification indicating that power is not increased;
The adapter according to claim 1. Receiving a first signal signifying a reduction in power consumption from a controller managing power consumption;
Receiving the first signal, instructing a reduction in power consumption of the electrical device and simultaneously starting time counting;
Receiving a second signal indicating an increase in power consumption after receiving the first signal; and receiving the second signal when the time count value is smaller than a predetermined value. Increasing the power consumption of the device;
When the second signal is received and the time count value is larger than a predetermined value, the power consumption of the electric device is not increased; and
Power management method to do. When the power consumption in the home becomes larger than a predetermined value, the first signal indicating reduction of power consumption is transmitted to the electric device via the communication unit, and the power consumption in the home is determined in advance. A control unit that transmits a second signal that means an increase in power consumption to the electric device via the communication unit when less than a value;
A time counting unit for starting time counting from when the first signal is transmitted,
The controller is
When the power consumption in the house is less than a predetermined value and the time count value is smaller than a predetermined value, the second signal is transmitted,
When the power consumption in the home is less than a predetermined value and the time count value is greater than a predetermined value, the second signal is not transmitted.
controller. Transmitting a first signal that means a reduction in power consumption to the electrical device when the power consumption in the house becomes larger than a predetermined value;
Starting time counting from when the first signal was transmitted;
A step of transmitting a second signal indicating an increase in power consumption when the power consumption in the home is less than a predetermined value and the time count value is smaller than a predetermined value;
Not transmitting the second signal when the power consumption in the home is less than a predetermined value and the time count value is greater than a predetermined value;
Power management method to do. An electrical device connected to a controller that manages power consumption in the house,
When receiving a first signal indicating that the power consumption in the house is larger than a predetermined value from the controller, a control unit that reduces the power consumption of the electrical device;
A timing unit that starts counting time from when the first signal is received and power consumption of the electrical device is reduced,
The controller is
After receiving the first signal, when the second signal indicating that the power consumption in the house is less than a predetermined value is received from the controller, the time count value by the timing unit is greater than a predetermined value. When the time count value by the timekeeping unit is larger than a predetermined value does not increase the reduced power consumption of the electrical device,
Electrical equipment.

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