JP5966870B2 - Line control apparatus, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to control of the degree of opening and closing of a supply line that connects a supply source of fluid produced by consuming energy and equipment.

  Conventionally, various techniques have been disclosed for reducing power consumption in systems such as factories. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-034323) discloses a machine tool that measures its own power consumption and transmits it to the outside. Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-148726) discloses an apparatus that analyzes energy consumption including transition of utility load and transition of energy consumption for each process in a factory.

  In addition, some of the above-described systems use a fluid produced by consuming energy, such as a system for supplying compressed air to each device from a compressed air delivery compressor via a pipe. For such a system, various techniques for suppressing energy consumption due to driving of the compressor are disclosed. For example, Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-176683), Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-291870), Patent Document 5 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-226586), and Patent Document 6 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-2012). No. 031789) discloses a technique for suppressing the power consumption of the compressor.

JP 2001-034323 A JP 2007-148726 A JP 2004-176683 A JP 2007-291870 A JP2011-226586A JP 2012-031789 A

  In the conventional system as described above, reduction of power consumption of the machine itself such as machine tools and compressors has been studied, but specific examination has been made on reduction of consumption of fluid such as compressed air. Absent.

  However, in the system as described above, power such as driving of a compressor is required even in the generation of fluid. Therefore, studying the reduction of fluid consumption can also contribute to the reduction of power required to generate the fluid, which in turn can contribute to the reduction of energy consumption in the system.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reduce energy consumption in a system using a fluid produced by consuming energy.

  When a certain situation is followed, the line control apparatus which controls the opening / closing degree of the supply line which connects the supply source and installation of a fluid is provided. The line control device includes storage means for storing information specifying the operating state and non-operating state of the equipment, acquisition means for acquiring the internal pressure of the supply line or the flow rate of the fluid, and the opening of the supply line in the non-operating state. And control means for lowering the opening in the operating state while maintaining the internal pressure of the supply line or the flow rate of the fluid at a predetermined pressure or higher or a predetermined flow rate that is a value within the allowable range of the equipment.

  Preferably, the line control device further includes power supply means for controlling supply of power to the facility. The control means increases the opening of the supply line when shifting from the non-operating state to the operating state, and the power supply means is suitable for the operation of the equipment when the internal pressure of the supply line is switched from the non-operating state to the operating state. The power supply to the equipment is started on the condition that the set value has been reached.

  Preferably, the line control device further includes power supply means for controlling supply of power to the facility. The power supply means starts to input power to the equipment on the condition that the internal pressure of the supply line has reached a set value suitable for the operation of the equipment at the time of transition from the non-operating state to the operating state.

  Preferably, a plurality of facilities are connected to the supply line, and the power supply means is provided in the plurality of facilities on the condition that the internal pressure of the supply line has reached a set value at the transition from the non-operating state to the operating state. Power supply to a plurality of facilities is started in a predetermined order.

  Preferably, the control means increases the opening of the supply line in a stepwise manner when shifting from the non-operating state to the operating state.

  Preferably, when the opening degree of the supply line is increased to a certain stage, the control means supplies the supply line to the next stage on condition that the internal pressure of the supply line has increased to a pressure corresponding to the certain stage. Increase the opening of.

  Preferably, in a non-operating state, the control means displays information related to energy whose consumption is suppressed by lowering the opening of the supply line from the opening in the operating state.

  Preferably, the information is information based on the amount of fluid whose outflow to the supply line is suppressed by lowering the opening of the supply line from the opening in the operating state in the non-operating state.

  According to still another aspect, there is provided a control method for a line control device that controls the degree of opening and closing of a supply line that connects a fluid supply source and equipment. The control method includes a step in which a computer of a line control device stores information for specifying an operating state and a non-operating state of equipment, a step of acquiring an internal pressure of a supply line or a fluid flow rate, and a supply in a non-operating state Lowering the opening of the line below the opening in the operating state while maintaining the internal pressure of the supply line or the flow rate of the fluid at or above a predetermined pressure that is a value within the allowable range of the facility or above a predetermined flow rate. Including.

  According to still another aspect, a computer-executable program for controlling the degree of opening and closing of a supply line connecting a fluid supply source and equipment is provided. The program stores, in a computer, information for identifying an operating state and a non-operating state of equipment, a step of acquiring an internal pressure of the supply line or a fluid flow rate, and an opening degree of the supply line in the non-operating state. The internal pressure of the supply line or the flow rate of the fluid is maintained at a predetermined pressure or higher or a predetermined flow rate that is a value within the allowable range of the facility, or lowering the opening in the operating state.

  According to a certain aspect, the opening degree of the supply line in the non-operating state of the equipment is maintained in the operating state while maintaining the inside of the supply line at a predetermined pressure that is within the allowable range of the equipment or a predetermined flow rate or higher. It is lower than the opening.

  Thereby, in the non-operating state, the supply amount of the energetic fluid to the supply line can be reduced while suppressing the influence due to the decrease in the internal pressure of the supply line. The fluid of the present invention is a fluid produced using energy such as electric power. The present invention can reduce the amount of fluid used, thereby contributing to the reduction of the amount of energy such as electric power.

  If the other situation is followed, the opening degree of the supply line in the non-operating state of the facility will be lower than the opening degree in the operating state. Furthermore, at the time of transition from the non-operating state of the facility to the operating state, the supply of power to the facility is started on the condition that the internal pressure of the supply line has reached a specific pressure suitable for the operation of the facility.

  As a result, the amount of energy fluid supplied to the supply line in the non-operating state is reduced, and the internal pressure of the supply line has been reduced in the non-operating state when shifting from the non-operating state to the operating state. The impact on equipment is suppressed.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of a structure of the system used as the control object of a system control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a controller typically. It is a figure which shows the function structure of a controller typically. It is a flowchart of the process for a controller to control supply of the compressed air from supply equipment to consumption equipment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an operation time control subroutine of FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an idling control subroutine of FIG. 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows the behavior of a system corresponding to the process demonstrated with reference to FIGS. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen (setting screen) for inputting the setting content utilized in the process demonstrated with reference to FIGS. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the information regarding the energy by which consumption was suppressed. It is a figure for demonstrating evaluation of the consumption equipment by a controller. It is a flowchart of the subroutine of the operating time control in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of a subroutine of idling control in the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the behavior of the system of FIG. 1 by control of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which inputs the setting content in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the subroutine of the operating time control in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the behavior of the system of FIG. 1 by control of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which inputs the setting content in 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control device of a system to which compressed air is supplied as an example of a fluid will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in the respective drawings, and detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  In this specification, compressed air is adopted as an example of the fluid supplied to the system. Other examples of fluids that can be supplied to the system include liquids such as cooling water and steam.

<First Embodiment>
[System Overview]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a system to be controlled by a system control apparatus. The outline of the configuration of the system will be described with reference to FIG.

  The system of FIG. 1 includes a supply facility 1000 and a consumption facility 2000. The consumption facility 2000 includes facilities 801 to 803 that receive a supply of compressed air and perform processing such as product manufacture and polishing. Supply facility 1000 includes compressors 601 to 604 that generate compressed air to be supplied to facilities 801 to 803.

  In the supply facility 1000, the compressed air generated in the compressors 601 to 604 is stored in the tank 500 via the pipe 900. The compressed air stored in the tank 500 is sent to the consumption facility 2000 via the trunk line 910 (supply line). The main line 910 is provided with a pressure sensor 701 for measuring the pressure in the main line 910. In the supply facility 1000, the control panel 400 drives the compressors 601 to 604 in order to maintain the pressure in the main line 910 at the control target of the main line 910 based on the measurement result of the pressure sensor 701. For example, the control panel 400 uses the measurement result of the pressure sensor 701 to drive the compressors 601 to 604 by PID (Proportinal Integral Differential) control.

  The control panel 400 may determine the number of compressors to be driven among the compressors 601 to 604 based on the measurement result of the pressure sensor 701. More specifically, the control panel 400 increases the number of compressors to be driven among the compressors 601 to 604 when the pressure in the main line 910 decreases, and increases the number of compressors to be driven when the pressure in the main line 910 increases. Reduce.

  The consumption facility 2000 is provided with branch pipes 911 to 913 for sending compressed air from the main line 910 to the facilities 801 to 803. The trunk line 910 is provided, for example, in a facility duct. The branch pipes 911 to 913 are configured as pipes drawn from the duct to equipment in the facility. Generally, the diameters (about 10 mm) of the branch pipes 911 to 913 are configured to be smaller than the diameter (about 50 mm) of the main line 910.

  The main line 910 is further provided with a flow rate sensor 722 for measuring the flow rate (instantaneous flow rate) of compressed air in the main line 910 and a valve 721 for adjusting the flow rate of compressed air from the tank 500 to the main line 910. ing.

  The consumption equipment 2000 is provided with a controller 100. The controller 100 adjusts the degree of opening / closing of the trunk line 910 by the valve 721 based on the measurement results of the pressure sensor 701 and the flow rate sensor 722. By adjusting the degree of opening and closing of the valve 721, the flow rate of the compressed air from the tank 500 to the main line 910 is adjusted.

  The controller 100 can switch on / off the power to each of the facilities 801 to 803 by adjusting a switch of a switchboard that supplies power to each of the facilities 801 to 803.

  The controller 100 accepts input of various information including numerical values for controlling the system, and displays information related to the system. The controller 100 may perform a setting screen for inputting information and a screen for displaying information related to the system on the display device provided in the controller 100 or on other devices. In the present embodiment, the controller 100 can communicate with a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “PC”) 300 and performs the above display on the display of the PC 300.

[Hardware Configuration of Controller 100]
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of the controller 100.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the controller 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 that is an arithmetic device for controlling the entire controller 100 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing a program executed by the CPU 10. 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12 that functions as a work area when the CPU 10 executes a program, and a modem that performs communication such as reception of measurement results from the pressure sensor 701 and the flow sensor 722. Communication device 18, display interface 14 that is an interface for transmitting image data from controller 100 to PC 300, operation unit 15 for receiving operation input to controller 100, programs executed by CPU 10, and the like. A recording medium 16 for storage and a computer By accessing the removable storage medium M to the roller 100 and a media controller 17 to read or write files from it.

  The operation unit 15 is realized by an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The communication device 18 is also used for transmitting information for switching the power on / off of the facilities 801 to 803 and for transmitting information for adjusting the degree of opening / closing of the valve 721. The valve 721 is realized by, for example, an electromagnetic valve having a communication function. The valve 721 adjusts the degree of opening and closing of the compressed air flow path in the trunk line 710 based on a control signal from the controller 100.

  In the present embodiment, for example, when the CPU 10 executes an appropriate program, at least a part of the functions of the controller 100 described in the present specification is realized. At least a part of the program executed by the CPU 10 may be stored in the storage medium M. As the storage medium M, CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, memory card, FD (Flexible Disk), hard disk, Magnetic tape, cassette tape, MO (Magnetic Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory cards), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) For example, a medium for storing the program in a nonvolatile manner.

  The program executed by the CPU 10 may be downloaded from an external server device S via a network and installed in the recording medium 16.

[Functional configuration of controller 100]
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of the controller 100.

  Referring to FIG. 3, controller 100 includes a data storage unit 101, a control information generation unit 102, a control information transmission unit 103, an energy saving information generation unit 104, and a display control unit 105. The data storage unit 101 is realized by the RAM 12 and / or the recording medium 16, for example. The control information generation unit 102, the energy saving information generation unit 104, and the display control unit 105 are realized, for example, by the CPU 10 executing an appropriate program. However, hardware resources independent of the CPU 10, such as a dedicated circuit, are realized. It may be realized by. The control information transmission unit 103 is realized by the communication device 18 that is instructed by the CPU 10 to transmit and receive data.

  The data accumulation unit 101 receives and accumulates the measurement results of the pressure sensor 701 and the flow rate sensor 722.

  The control information generation unit 102 controls the degree of opening and closing of the flow path by the valve 721 based on the history of measurement results accumulated in the data accumulation unit 101, various setting values stored in the controller 100, and the like. Information for on / off control of power supply to the facilities 801 to 803 is generated.

  Based on the information generated by the control information generation unit 102, the control information transmission unit 103 is connected to the valve 721 (or a device that controls the operation of the valve 721) and the facilities 801 to 803 (or the facilities 801 to 803). A device that controls the supply of power, such as a switchboard, transmits a control signal.

  The energy saving information generation unit 104 generates information such as an energy amount whose consumption is suppressed in the system.

  The display control unit 105 generates display screens for various types of information such as measurement results stored in the data storage unit 101 and information generated by the energy saving information generation unit 104 and transmits the screens to the PC 300. In the PC 300, various screens related to processing in the controller 100 are displayed based on information received from the display control unit 105.

[Control flow]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for the CPU 10 of the controller 100 to control the supply of compressed air from the supply facility 1000 to the consumption facility 2000. 5 and 6 are flowcharts of the subroutine of the process of FIG. Hereinafter, the flow of processing executed by the controller 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  With reference to FIG. 4, first, in step S <b> 10, the controller 100 determines whether or not an operation preparation time has arrived. If controller 100 determines that the operation preparation time has arrived, the controller 100 proceeds to step S20. The operation preparation time is a time at which preparation is started to bring the system into an operable state at the start of the operation state of the system in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, “operating state” and “non-operating state” are defined for the facilities 801 to 803. The operating state refers to a period during which at least one of the facilities 801 to 803 is operating. The operation means that each of the facilities 801 to 803 receives an electric power supply and performs an operation such as product processing. The non-operating state refers to a period other than the operating state.

  It is assumed that the start time of the operating state and the start time of the non-operating state are registered in the controller 100 in advance via the operation unit 15 or from another device via the communication device 18. Each registered time is stored in the recording medium 16, for example. In the present embodiment, the start time / end time of the operating state corresponds to the end time / start time of the non-operating state, respectively. In the controller 100, information for specifying the length of time (preparation time) from the operation preparation time to the start time of the operation state is registered.

  In step S20, the controller 100 performs the on-operation control and advances the process to step S30. The contents of the operation control will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S30, the controller 100 determines whether or not the start time of the non-operating state has arrived. If controller 100 determines that the start time of the non-operating state has arrived, the controller 100 proceeds to step S40.

  In step S40, the controller 100 executes idling control and returns the process to step S10. The content of idling control will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operating time control subroutine of step S20 of FIG. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, processing contents of the on-time control will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 5, in step S102, controller 100 increases the opening of the flow path by valve 721 (hereinafter simply referred to as “opening of valve 721”), and proceeds to step S104. About the aspect which raises an opening degree (degree etc. which reduce the opening degree per unit time, etc.), since a well-known technique is employable, the detail is not repeated here.

  In step S <b> 104, the controller 100 determines whether or not the internal pressure of the trunk line 910 has reached a preset “target value 1” based on the measurement result of the pressure sensor 701. Then, the controller 100 waits until it is determined that the “target value 1” has been reached, and when it is determined that the target value has been reached, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, the controller 100 maintains the opening degree of the valve 721 for a preset time “t1”, and then further increases the opening degree of the valve 721 and advances the process to step S108.

  In step S <b> 108, the controller 100 determines whether the internal pressure of the trunk line 910 has reached a preset “target value 2” based on the measurement result of the pressure sensor 701. Then, the controller 100 waits until it is determined that the “target value 2” has been reached, and if it is determined that it has reached, the process proceeds to step S110.

  In step S110, the controller 100 maintains the opening degree of the valve 721 for a preset time “t2”, and then further increases the opening degree of the valve 721 and advances the process to step S112.

  In step S <b> 112, the controller 100 determines whether or not the internal pressure of the trunk line 910 has reached a preset “set value” based on the measurement result of the pressure sensor 701. Then, the controller 100 waits until it is determined that the “set value” has been reached, and if it is determined that it has reached, the process proceeds to step S114.

  In the process shown in FIG. 5, the values set for the internal pressure of the trunk line 910 are in the relationship of the following formula (1).

Target value 1 <Target value 2 <Set value (1)
In step S114, the controller 100 turns on the power of the equipment 801 on the condition that a preset time “T1” has elapsed since it was determined in step S112 that the internal pressure reached the “set value”. The channel “out1” of the controller 100 is turned on), and the process proceeds to step S116.

  In step S116, the controller 100 turns on the power of the facility 802 on the condition that a preset time “T2” has elapsed since it was determined in step S112 that the internal pressure reached the “set value”. The channel “out2” of the controller 100 is turned on), and the process proceeds to step S118.

  In step S118, the controller 100 turns on the power of the facility 803 on the condition that a preset time “T3” has elapsed since it was determined in step S112 that the internal pressure has reached the “set value”. The channel “out3” of the controller 100 is turned on), and the process returns to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a subroutine for idling control in step S40 of FIG. Hereinafter, the processing content of the idling control will be described with reference to FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 6, in step S202, controller 100 turns off the power of facilities 801 to 803 (channels “out1,” “out2,” “out3” of controller 100 are turned off), and the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S204, the controller 100 reduces the opening degree of the valve 721 and advances the process to step S206. Regarding the mode of reducing the opening degree of the valve 721 in Step S204 (the degree of reducing the opening degree per unit time, etc.), since a known technique can be adopted, the details thereof will not be repeated here.

  In step S206, the controller 100 determines whether or not the opening of the valve 721 has been reduced to the extent that the flow path is closed to the maximum. The controller 100 continues to reduce the opening of the valve 721 until it is determined that the controller 100 has been reduced to that extent. If the controller 100 determines that the level has been reduced to that extent, it returns the process to FIG. 4.

  As described above, according to the processing mainly described with reference to FIG. 6, when the operation of the consumption facility 2000 is finished, the supply lines of compressed air to the consumption facility 2000 ( The degree of opening and closing of the main line 910) by the valve 721 is reduced. Further, according to the process described mainly with reference to FIG. 5, at the start of operation of the consumption facility 2000, the degree of opening and closing of the compressed air supply line (main line 910) to the consumption facility 2000 by the valve 721 is increased. The equipment 801 to 803 are turned on on the condition that the internal pressure of the supply line rises (recovers) to the “set value”.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the behavior of the system corresponding to the processing described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. 7A shows the internal pressure of the trunk line 910. FIG. (B) shows the degree of opening and closing of the valve 721. (C), (D), and (E) indicate the on / off states of the power sources of the equipment 801 (out1), the equipment 802 (out2), and the equipment 803 (out3), respectively. (F) indicates the flow rate of the compressed air in the valve 721. Each of (A) to (F) of FIG. In these figures, the time TA corresponds to the time when the idling control in FIG. 6 is started. Time TB corresponds to the start time of the operating state. The operation time control in FIG. 5 is started before the above preparation time from the start time of the operation state.

  As can be understood from FIG. 7, when the opening of the valve 721 starts to be reduced from time TA (B), the flow rate of the compressed air in the main line 910 starts to decrease (F), and the internal pressure of the main line 910 is reduced. The decline begins (A). When the valve is closed (opening degree 0%) (B), the flow rate of the compressed air in the main line 910 approaches 0 (NL / min) (F), and the internal pressure of the main line 910 decreases to atmospheric pressure ( A).

  Thereby, in the system of this Embodiment, the supply amount of the compressed air to the consumption equipment 2000 can be suppressed to the non-operation state of the consumption equipment 2000. Therefore, the consumption of compressed air in the supply facility 1000 can be suppressed, and thereby the consumption of power by the compressors 601 to 604 can be suppressed.

  Further, as understood from FIG. 7, after the opening degree of the valve 721 is reduced as described above, the opening control of the valve 721 is started by starting the operation control in FIG. B). Thereby, the flow rate of the compressed air in the main line 910 starts to increase (F), and the internal pressure of the main line 910 starts to increase (A).

  At this time, the opening degree of the valve 721 is increased stepwise. More specifically, as described in steps S104 to S110 in FIG. 5, when the internal pressure of the trunk line 910 reaches “target value 1”, the state is maintained only for the time “t1”. When the internal pressure of the valve 721 reaches the “target value 2”, the opening degree of the valve 721 is controlled so that the state is maintained for the time “t2”. Thereby, it can avoid that the internal pressure of the trunk line 910 rises rapidly.

  In the system of FIG. 1, the internal pressure of the trunk line 910 recovers to the “set value” or more by at least the time TB by the operation control of FIG.

  Further, in the present embodiment, after the internal pressure of the main line 910 is restored to the “set value”, the equipment 801 to 803 in the consumption equipment 2000 is turned on in a sequence determined in advance. Specifically, the power source of the facility 801 is turned on after T1 from the recovery of the internal pressure of the main line 910. Next, the power source of the facility 802 is turned on after T2 from the recovery of the internal pressure of the main line 910. Next, the power source of the facility 803 is turned on after T3 from the recovery of the internal pressure of the main line 910. By turning on the power of each facility in such a sequence, the environment in the consumption facility 2000 can be maintained more safely. However, if the environment of the consumption facility 2000 is not affected by the power-on sequence among a plurality of facilities, the power-on sequence between the facilities 801 to 803 needs to be considered. Absent.

[Setting screen]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen (setting screen) for inputting setting contents used in the processing described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. With reference to FIG. 8, input of various setting contents will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows a screen 310. The controller 100 displays the screen 310 on the display of the PC 300 when an operation for requesting the operation unit 15 to call the setting screen is performed or when the request is input via the PC 300.

  The screen 310 includes a display field 314 for inputting the set contents of the “set value” and the times “T1”, “T2”, and “T3”. In the display field 314, the “target value” input field corresponds to the “set value” input field. Also, the input fields for “Delay 1”, “Delay 2”, and “Delay 3” correspond to the input fields for “T1”, “T2”, and “T3”, respectively.

  The screen 310 includes a display field 315 for inputting setting contents of the “target value 1”, “target value 2”, and times “t1” and “t2”. The input fields for pressure and time for “target value 1” in the display field 315 correspond to the input fields for “target value 1” and “t1”. Further, the pressure and time input fields for “target value 2” in the display field 315 correspond to the input fields for “target value 2” and “t2”.

  The setting content input to the screen 310 is stored in the recording medium 16, for example. Each setting content may be stored in a storage device outside the controller 100, and the CPU 10 may acquire the setting content from the storage device and execute the processing described with reference to FIGS.

[Notification of effect]
The controller 100 can display information about energy whose consumption is suppressed by executing the processing described with reference to FIGS. More specifically, the controller 100 integrates the difference between the flow rate of the compressed air during the period from time TA to time TB in FIG. 7F (FIG. 7) (see FIG. 7). (Corresponding to the hatched portion of (F)) is displayed as the information.

  Furthermore, the controller 100 displays the product of the integrated value and the cost per unit volume of the compressed air as a cost that is suppressed by suppressing energy consumption. The cost per unit volume of the compressed air is registered in advance in the recording medium 16 or the like, for example.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for information on energy with reduced consumption. In the screen 750 of FIG. 9, the integrated value is displayed in a column 751, and the “suppressed cost” is displayed in a column 752. In addition, information specifying the time TB from the time TA is displayed on the screen 750 as “October 31st 13: 00 to 16:00”.

  In the non-operating state, the controller 100 is more effective in reducing the supply amount of compressed air to the consuming equipment 2000 than in the operating state, and as shown in the screen 750 in FIG. Displayed.

[Evaluation of consumption equipment]
Further, the controller 100 can evaluate the degree of deterioration of the consuming equipment 2000 based on the contents of the processing described with reference to FIGS.

  For example, in the consumption facility 2000, as the degree of leakage in the main line 910 and the facilities 801 to 803 increases, the pressure of the main line 910 decreases more rapidly when the opening of the valve 721 is increased. From this, for example, the degree of deterioration of the consumption facility 2000 can be evaluated based on the degree of decrease in the pressure of the main line 910 at the start of idling control. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, if the rate of pressure decrease at the start of idling control is faster than when idling control is performed in the initial state of the consuming equipment 2000, consumption will occur. The facility 2000 is considered degraded. On the other hand, when the rate of the decrease is slower than the initial state, it is considered that the deterioration of the consumption equipment 2000 has been improved.

  The controller 100 causes the PC 300 to display the result of such evaluation, for example, every predetermined period, or in response to a request input to the operation unit 15 or a request from an external device.

<Second Embodiment>
A second embodiment of control contents in the system of FIG. 1 will be described.

  In the idling control of the second embodiment, the opening degree of the valve 721 is adjusted so that the internal pressure of the main line 910 is reduced to a preset pressure value (“target value 3” described later). In the operation control according to the second embodiment, the opening degree of the valve 721 is raised without going through a step.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an operating time control subroutine according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an idling control subroutine according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the process of FIG. 11 is executed instead of the process of FIG. 5, and the process of FIG. 12 is executed instead of the process of FIG.

[Control during operation]
The on-operation control of the second embodiment will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 11, in step SA102, controller 100 increases the opening degree of valve 721 and advances the process to step SA112. About the aspect which raises an opening degree (degree etc. which reduce the opening degree per unit time, etc.), since a well-known technique is employable, the detail is not repeated here.

  In Step SA112, the controller 100 determines whether or not the internal pressure of the trunk line 910 has reached a preset “set value” based on the measurement result of the pressure sensor 701. Then, the controller 100 waits until it is determined that the “set value” has been reached, and if it is determined that it has reached, the process proceeds to step SA114.

  In step SA114, the controller 100 turns on the power of the equipment 801 on condition that a preset time “T1” has elapsed since it was determined in step SA112 that the internal pressure reached the “set value”. Then, the process proceeds to step SA116.

  In step SA116, the controller 100 turns on the power of the facility 802 on the condition that a preset time “T2” has elapsed since it was determined in step SA112 that the internal pressure reached the “set value”. Then, the process proceeds to step SA118.

  In step SA118, the controller 100 turns on the power of the facility 803 on the condition that a preset time “T3” has elapsed since it was determined in step SA112 that the internal pressure reached the “set value”. Then, the process returns to FIG.

[Idling control]
The idling control of the second embodiment will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 12, in step SA202, controller 100 turns off the power of facilities 801 to 803 and advances the process to step SA204.

  In step SA204, the controller 100 reduces the opening degree of the valve 721 and advances the process to step SA206. Regarding the mode of reducing the opening degree of the valve 721 in Step SA204 (the degree of reducing the opening degree per unit time, etc.), since a known technique can be adopted, the details thereof will not be repeated here.

  In Step SA206, the controller 100 determines whether or not the internal pressure of the main line 910 has decreased to a preset “target value 3”. The controller 100 continues to reduce the opening of the valve 721 until it determines that the internal pressure of the main line 910 has decreased to “target value 3”. If controller 100 determines that the value has decreased to “target value 3”, it proceeds to step SA208.

  In Step SA208, the controller 100 continues the adjustment of the opening of the valve 721 so that the internal pressure of the main line 910 is maintained at the “target value 3” or more, and returns the process to FIG.

  As a result, the internal pressure of the trunk line 910 is maintained at the “target value 3” or more until the next operation control is started.

[System behavior]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the behavior of the system of FIG. 1 under the control of the second embodiment. (A) to (F) of FIG. 13 represent the same contents as (A) to (F) of FIG. Specifically, (A) shows the internal pressure of the trunk line 910. (B) shows the degree of opening and closing of the valve 721. (C), (D), and (E) indicate the on / off states of the power sources of the equipment 801 (out1), the equipment 802 (out2), and the equipment 803 (out3), respectively. (F) indicates the flow rate of the compressed air in the valve 721.

  As understood from FIG. 13, in the system according to the second embodiment, the internal pressure of the trunk line 910 is maintained at the target value 3 or more during the period from time TA to time TB.

[Setting screen]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for inputting setting contents according to the second embodiment.

  In the screen 320 of FIG. 14, the “target value” input field of the display field 323 corresponds to the “target value 3” input field.

  In the screen 320, in the display field 324, the “target value” input field corresponds to the “set value” input field. Also, the input fields for “Delay 1”, “Delay 2”, and “Delay 3” correspond to the input fields for “T1”, “T2”, and “T3”, respectively.

<Third Embodiment>
A third embodiment of control contents in the system of FIG. 1 will be described.

  In the idling control of the third embodiment, the opening degree of the valve 721 is adjusted so that the flow rate of the compressed air in the main line 910 is reduced to a preset value (“target value 4” described later). FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an operating time control subroutine according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the process of FIG. 15 is executed instead of the process of FIG. Since the on-time control of the present embodiment can be the same as that of the second embodiment, detailed description will not be repeated.

[Idling control]
The idling control of the third embodiment will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 15, in step SA302, controller 100 turns off the equipment 801 to 803 and advances the process to step SA304.

  In step SA304, the controller 100 reduces the opening degree of the valve 721 and advances the process to step SA306. Regarding the mode of reducing the opening degree of the valve 721 in Step SA304 (the degree to which the opening degree per unit time is reduced, etc.), since known techniques can be adopted, the details thereof will not be repeated here.

  In Step SA306, the controller 100 determines whether or not the flow rate of the compressed air in the main line 910 has decreased to a preset “target value 4”. The controller 100 continues to reduce the opening of the valve 721 until it is determined that the flow rate has decreased to “target value 4”. If controller 100 determines that the flow rate has decreased to “target value 4”, it proceeds to step SA308.

  In Step SA308, the controller 100 continues the adjustment of the opening degree of the valve 721 so that the flow rate of the compressed air in the main line 910 is maintained at the “target value 4”, and returns the process to FIG.

  As a result, the flow rate of the compressed air in the main line 910 is maintained at the “target value 4” or more until the next operation control is started.

[System behavior]
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the behavior of the system of FIG. 1 under the control of the third embodiment. (A) to (F) in FIG. 16 represent the same contents as (A) to (F) in FIG. Specifically, (A) shows the internal pressure of the trunk line 910. (B) shows the degree of opening and closing of the valve 721. (C), (D), and (E) indicate the on / off states of the power sources of the equipment 801 (out1), the equipment 802 (out2), and the equipment 803 (out3), respectively. (F) indicates the flow rate of the compressed air in the valve 721.

  As understood from FIG. 16, in the system according to the third embodiment, the flow rate of the compressed air in the main line 910 is maintained at the target value 4 or more during the period from time TA to time TB.

[Setting screen]
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for inputting setting contents according to the third embodiment.

  In the screen 330 of FIG. 17, the “target value” input field in the display field 333 corresponds to the “target value 4” input field.

  In the screen 330, in the display field 334, the “target value” input field corresponds to the “setting value” input field. Also, the input fields for “Delay 1”, “Delay 2”, and “Delay 3” correspond to the input fields for “T1”, “T2”, and “T3”, respectively.

  Each embodiment and its modification disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims. In addition, each embodiment and its modification examples are intended to be implemented alone or in combination as appropriate.

  The control device described in the present embodiment can be applied to control of other fluids (for example, nitrogen gas, cooling water, hot water, etc.) in addition to control of the flow rate of compressed air and the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Controller, 101 Data storage part, 102 Control information generation part, 103 Control information transmission part, 104 Energy-saving information generation part, 105 Display control part, 300 PC, 400 Control panel, 701 Pressure sensor, 722 Flow rate sensor, 801-803 Equipment 910 Main line.

Claims (10)

A line control device for controlling the degree of opening and closing of a supply line connecting a fluid supply source and equipment,
Storage means for storing information identifying the operating state and non-operating state of the equipment;
Obtaining means for obtaining an internal pressure or a fluid flow rate of the supply line;
While maintaining the opening of the supply line in the non-operating state, the internal pressure of the supply line or the flow rate of the fluid at a predetermined pressure that is a value within the allowable range of the equipment or a predetermined flow rate or more, And a control means for lowering the opening degree in the state. Further comprising power supply means for controlling power supply to the facility,
The control means increases the opening of the supply line at the time of transition from the non-operating state to the operating state,
The power supply means, upon transition from the non-operating state to the operating state, supplies power to the facility on the condition that the internal pressure of the supply line has reached a set value suitable for the operation of the facility. The line control device according to claim 1, which starts. Further comprising power supply means for controlling power supply to the facility,
The power supply means, upon transition from the non-operating state to the operating state, supplies power to the facility on the condition that the internal pressure of the supply line has reached a set value suitable for the operation of the facility. The line control device according to claim 1, which starts. A plurality of facilities are connected to the supply line,
The power supply means includes a plurality of power supply units in a predetermined order in the plurality of facilities on the condition that the internal pressure of the supply line has reached the set value at the time of transition from the non-operation state to the operation state. The line control device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein power supply to the facility is started.   The line control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the control means increases the opening of the supply line in a stepwise manner at the time of transition from the non-operating state to the operating state.   When the opening of the supply line is increased to a certain stage, the control means supplies the supply to the next stage on the condition that the internal pressure of the supply line has increased to a pressure corresponding to the certain stage. The line control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the line opening degree is increased.   The said control means displays the information regarding the energy in which consumption was suppressed by making the opening degree of the said supply line lower than the opening degree in the said operation state in the said non-operation state. The line control apparatus according to any one of the above.   The information is information based on an amount of fluid that is prevented from flowing out to the supply line by lowering the opening of the supply line than the opening in the operating state in the non-operating state. Item 8. The line control device according to Item 7. A control method for a line control device for controlling the degree of opening and closing of a supply line connecting a fluid supply source and equipment,
A computer of the line control device;
Storing information identifying the operating state and non-operating state of the facility;
Obtaining an internal pressure or fluid flow rate of the supply line;
While maintaining the opening of the supply line in the non-operating state, the internal pressure of the supply line or the flow rate of the fluid at a predetermined pressure that is a value within the allowable range of the equipment or a predetermined flow rate or more, A control method for the line control device, the method including lowering the opening degree in the state. A computer-executable program for controlling the degree of opening and closing of a supply line connecting a fluid supply source and equipment,
The program is stored on the computer
Storing information identifying the operating state and non-operating state of the facility;
Obtaining an internal pressure or fluid flow rate of the supply line;
While maintaining the opening of the supply line in the non-operating state, the internal pressure of the supply line or the flow rate of the fluid at a predetermined pressure that is a value within the allowable range of the equipment or a predetermined flow rate or more, And a step of lowering the opening degree in the state.

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