JP6233622B2 - Information output device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information output device that supplies display information to a display device.

In recent years, power converters have been proposed that convert generated power, for example, DC power obtained from renewable energy such as solar cells or wind power, into AC power and superimpose it on a commercial power system. This power converter and commercial power system are linked by a distribution board connected to indoor wiring,
Power is supplied to the load via the indoor wiring.

At this time, when the power superposed on the commercial power system (output power) by the power converter is larger than the power consumed by the load, the power exceeding the load consumption flows backward to the commercial power system.

There has been proposed a power display device for displaying to the user the power output from such a power converter and the reverse power flow to the commercial power system (Patent Document 1).
The power display device described in Patent Literature 1 obtains information on the power output from the power converter and information on the power flowing backward to the commercial power system from the power converter. The power display device is wired-connected to the power conversion device by a signal line.

JP-A-11-225442

However, when the power display device is wired-connected by a signal line or the like, it takes time for wiring work and the mounting position thereof is also restricted.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information output device that improves convenience and the like by using an existing wireless LAN transmission path.

In order to achieve the above object, an information output device according to the present invention detects a generated power input unit that detects generated power, a reverse power flow input unit that detects power flowing backward to the system, and detects these power input units. In response to a signal generated via the data generation unit that converts the value of the generated power and the power flowing backward to the system into information in a predetermined data format, an interface unit connected to the wireless LAN, and the interface unit The information generated by the data generation unit is supplied to the transmission source of the signal via the interface unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to supply information on generated power and power flowing backward to the system using a wireless LAN path as required.

It is a block diagram which shows the connection relation of the power display apparatus 4 in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the information output device 41 of the electric power display apparatus 4 in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the information stored in the memory of the information output device 41 in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the display part 42 of the electric power display apparatus 4 in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a connection relationship between an information output apparatus (having a function of detecting power flowing back to the grid) 41 and a display unit 42 corresponding to the information output apparatus 41 in this embodiment. FIG.

The information output device 41 of the power display device 4 includes a power conversion device 2, a distribution board 3, and a wireless LAN.
Connected to the router 8, the display unit 42 is connected to a wireless LAN router.

The power converter 2 is connected by a wiring 63 to a distribution board 3 that distributes AC power from a commercial power system (system) 5 to an indoor wiring 61. The power converter 2 converts generated power, for example, DC power obtained from renewable energy such as the solar cell 1 into AC power, and supplies it to the distribution board 3.

The power converter 2 includes a booster circuit 21 that boosts the generated power (DC power) of the solar cell, an inverter circuit 22 that converts the boosted DC power into AC power (pseudo sine wave), AC power (
A filter circuit 23 that suppresses a high-frequency component of the pseudo sine wave), a grid connection relay 24 having a normally open contact piece, and a grid connection control circuit 25.

As shown in FIG. 1, the booster circuit 21 includes a booster chopper circuit having a reactor, a switch element, and a diode. By controlling the ON duty ratio of the switch element, the DC power input to the power converter 2 is controlled. Boost the voltage.

The inverter circuit 22 is composed of a plurality of switch elements connected in a single-phase full bridge. By turning on / off these switch elements based on PWM control, the DC power output from the booster circuit 21 is converted to AC power (pseudo sine wave).

The filter circuit 23 includes two reactors and a capacitor, and removes a high-frequency component of AC power output from the inverter circuit 22. AC power from which high-frequency components have been removed is
After being output to the distribution board 3 through the normally open connection piece of the grid connection relay 24, it is superimposed on the commercial power system 5.

The grid connection control circuit 25 controls the operations of the booster circuit 21, the inverter circuit 22, and the grid connection relay 24, and can communicate with the information output device 41 of the power display device 4 by wired connection. It is configured. In the communication, information such as the operating state of the power conversion device 2, the generated power of the solar cell 1 and / or the output power of the power conversion device 2 measured inside the power conversion device 2 is transmitted to the information output device 41. The generated power of the solar cell 1 can be obtained by the product of the input current and the input voltage to the booster circuit 21, the product of the output current and the output voltage of the booster circuit 21, the product of the output current and the output voltage of the inverter circuit 22, etc. The output power of the grid link device 2 can be calculated from the current and voltage of the AC power output from the grid link relay 24.

In the distribution board 3, the wiring 63 of the power converter 2, the wiring 62 of the commercial power system 5, and the plurality of indoor wirings 61 are connected. Specifically, a plurality of indoor wirings 61 are connected so as to branch from a line to which the wiring 63 of the power conversion device 2 and the wiring 62 of the commercial power system 5 are connected (in FIG. An example in which the indoor wiring 61 is connected is shown). In this way, the power supplied from the power converter 2 and the commercial power system 5 is divided into each indoor wiring 61, and the power is supplied to the household load 6 connected to the indoor wiring 61. At this time, if the power output from the power converter 2 is less than the power consumed by the household load 6, excess output power flows backward to the commercial power system 5.

The power display device 4 corresponds to an information output device 41 and a display unit 42. The information output device 41, the display unit 42, a personal computer 51 (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer 51), a television 52, and the like are connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area). Network) via the router 8 wireless LA
N connected. That is, these devices are configured to be able to exchange signals (information, data, etc.) via a wireless LAN transmission path. Since this wireless LAN can use a general-purpose standard, detailed description thereof is omitted. The wireless LAN router 8 is connected to the Internet 7 and can be connected to the portable terminal device 53 via the Internet 7 from outside the communication range of the wireless LAN router 8. When using the personal computer 51, the television 52, and the portable terminal device 53, it is necessary to install a dedicated program in advance so that signals can be exchanged with the information output device 41 as necessary. Alternatively, a device equipped with a general-purpose Internet browser can be easily displayed.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the information output device 41 of the power display device 4 in the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, at least a communication circuit 411, a communication circuit 412, a battery 413, a detection circuit 414, a control circuit 415, and a memory 416 are included.

The communication circuit 411 is connected to the power conversion device 2 by a signal line, communicates with the power conversion device 2 by serial communication (for example, communication of the RS485 standard), and outputs information (such as generated power). ) Is provided with the function of the generated power input unit. That is, the generated power of the solar cell 1 is detected via the power conversion device 2 and input by the communication circuit 411.

The communication circuit 412 includes a wireless LAN router 8 and a wireless LAN (for example, IEEE 802.11).
b / g standard). The information output device 41 communicates with devices (display unit 42, personal computer 51, television 52, portable terminal device 53) connected to the LAN router 8 via this wireless LAN transmission path.

The control circuit 415 performs control such as control of operations of the communication circuit 411 and the communication circuit 412.
The control circuit 415 is connected to current sensors CT1 and CT2 that can detect the currents of the wirings 61, 62, and 63 connected to the distribution board 3, and detects the currents of the wirings. In the present embodiment, the current sensor CT <b> 1 is arranged upstream of the indoor wiring 61 and detects a current flowing to the home load 6. The current sensor CT2 is disposed near the distribution board 3 of the wiring 62, detects a current (or a reverse current) supplied from the commercial power system 5 to the distribution board 3, and its value is the control circuit 41.
The control circuit 415 has a function of a reverse power flow input unit.

Based on the currents obtained from the current sensors CT1 and CT2, the control circuit 415 calculates the power that flows in reverse with the power consumption of the household load 6, and reversely flows with the power consumption of the household load 6 per unit time. Calculate the amount of power. The unit time uses a time zone of a specific date and time, for example, 201
Time units such as 8 o'clock on September 1, 1st and 9 o'clock on September 1, 2011 are used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be in minutes or seconds.

As for the electric power, since the voltage (100V, 200V, etc.) in the distribution board 3 is determined in advance,
It is obtained by the product of the obtained current (effective value) and voltage. The amount of electric power may be calculated by detecting the effective voltage and multiplying it by the effective current. The amount of electric power can be obtained by measuring the electric power periodically (for example, every several tens of msec to several hundreds of msec) and integrating the measurement period with the electric power measured within the unit time. Electric power P1 to electric power Pn are obtained within a unit time, and if the measurement cycle is Tm, the electric energy Ph is Ph = Tm × (P1 +... + Pn).

The control circuit 415 receives the generated power of the solar cell 1 transmitted from the power converter 2 periodically (for example, every several seconds to several tens of seconds), and calculates the generated power amount of the solar cell 1 per unit time. Calculate.

The control circuit 415 has a clock function so that the current date and time information can be known. Using this function, the control circuit 415 calculates the calculated power amount (the amount of power that flows backward, the power consumption amount of the household load 6) and the received power amount (the generated power amount 1 of the solar cell 1).
02) is specified. Then, the specified unit time, the generated power amount 102 of the solar cell 1 for that unit time (information output from the power converter 2), the consumed power amount 102 of the household load 6, and the reversely flowing power amount 103 are obtained. The information is stored in the memory 416 as information in a predetermined data format associated with the data, for example, display data 110. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the memory 416. As shown in the figure, the memory 416 is configured to sequentially store display data 110 for each unit time based on common information. In addition, since the reverse power flow is positive in the direction of the reverse power flow, when power supply from the commercial power system 5 is necessary (power generated by the solar cell <power consumption of the entire household load 6), the power flow is negative.

The clock function of the control circuit 415 is supplied with DC power output from the solar cell 1 or control power for maintaining this clock function from the commercial power system 5. A battery 413 for supplying auxiliary control power for maintaining the clock function when the control power is interrupted is provided. The battery 413 is configured to be charged from the wiring 61. The clock function
A current time setting function for receiving and setting the current time from an external device is provided. As an external device, for example, a server that provides information on standard time via the Internet, a radio tower that provides standard time by radio waves, and the like can be used.

When the communication circuit 412 receives a signal requesting information, the control circuit 415 supplies the information stored in the memory 416 to the transmission source of this signal via the wireless LAN router 8. The information supply destination includes the display unit 42, the portable terminal 53, the television 52, the personal computer 51, and the like. At this time, the display data 110 can be selected and transmitted from the memory 416 in the time zone specified by the destination device.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing the display unit 42 in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the display unit 42 includes a communication circuit 421, a communication circuit 422, a display panel 423, an operation panel 424, and a control circuit 425. The display unit 42 receives an operation from the user via the operation panel 424, receives information instructed by this operation from the information output device 41, and displays the display panel 423.
To display. The display unit 42 is configured to be able to communicate with the information output device 41 using either the communication circuit 421 or the communication circuit 422.

The communication circuit 421 is a circuit for communicating with the information output device 41. Communication circuit 421
Is directly connected to the information output device 41 (the communication circuit 412 thereof) using a signal line, and the wired LA
Communication can be performed without using N transmission paths.

The communication circuit 422 includes a wireless LAN router 8 and a wireless LAN (for example, IEEE 802.11).
b / g standard). In this embodiment,
Communication using the communication circuit 422 will be described in detail below. The same can be done using the communication circuit 421.

The control circuit 425 controls the entire display unit 42 such as control of operations of the communication circuit 421 and the communication circuit 422. The control circuit 425 receives the amount of power (the amount of power generated by the solar cell 1, the amount of power that flows backward, etc.) from the operation panel 424 for a predetermined period (for example, a specific day, a week, a month, etc.)
When an operation for displaying the power consumption of the household load 6 is received, the communication circuit 422 is used to send a command to the information output device 41 to transmit display data for each unit time during this period. . In response to this command, the information output device 41 transmits display data 110 for a specified period. Upon receiving the display data 110, the display unit 42 creates image data such as a graph based on the display data 110 and displays it on the display panel 413. The request for the display data (information) 110 may be automatically performed not only in response to an operation but also periodically.

Further, when the information output device 41 receives a signal for requesting information, the information output device 41 automatically supplies the latest information to the information transmission source, and the power having the longest period for obtaining the power (in this case, the information output device You may comprise so that it may provide, whenever 41 detects the power generation power of the solar cell 1 obtained by communicating with the power converter device 2. When receiving the latest power, the display unit 42 creates image data for displaying the latest power and displays the image data on the display panel 413. Thereby, the display unit 42 can display power in real time.

In addition, since the personal computer 51, the television 52, and the mobile terminal device 53 have the same configuration as the display unit 42, the generated power of the solar cell 1, the reverse power flow, and the consumption of the household load 6 are added to the display panels. The power can be displayed. That is, it is possible to communicate with each other via a wireless LAN communication path, and it is possible to view power consumption and the like simultaneously on a plurality of devices such as a personal computer and a television without adding a dedicated display unit. This makes it easy to share information at home.

According to the above embodiment, since the display unit 42 communicates with the information output device 41 via the wireless LAN transmission path, it is not necessary to connect the information output device 41 with a signal line. Thereby, the labor of wiring construction can be suppressed and the installation position of the display unit can be determined without being restricted by the installation positions of the power conversion device and the distribution board. Furthermore, the detection value of the information output device 41 and the information from the power conversion device 2 can be displayed on the display unit 42 in association with the common time information.

In addition, since the display data is created using the clock function, the power detected by the information output device 41 and the received power can be obtained even if the clock function in the power converter 2 is distorted. Can be accurately associated.

The clock function also includes a battery that supplies auxiliary control power to maintain the clock function when supply of control power to the clock function is interrupted, and receives the current time from an external device. Current time setting function. As a result, it is possible to prevent the data in the time zone associated with the creation of the display data from being out of order, and the display data can be created accurately.

In addition, when displaying power in real time, the information output device 41 sends the latest power every time it detects power with the longest period in which power is obtained. This ensures that the updated data is transmitted to the display unit 42.

In addition, the control circuit 415 reversely flows the specified unit time, the generated power amount 102 of the solar cell 1 (information output from the power conversion device 2) of the unit time, and the consumed power amount 102 of the household load 6. Information is stored in the memory 416 as display data 110 in association with the amount of power 103. As a result, the detected current, power, and received power are all collected for each unit time and stored as display data, so that the capacity of the memory 416 can be reduced.

In addition, since the data to be transmitted to the display unit 42 can use the display data with a small capacity, the data can be received comfortably even when the communication speed is low as compared with the wireless LAN (for example, compared with the wired LAN). Can be displayed.

As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was described, the above description is for making an understanding of this invention easy, and does not limit this invention. It goes without saying that the present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

For example, in the present embodiment, the generated power of the solar cell 1 is received from the power conversion device 2 by communication. However, a current sensor may be provided on the wiring connecting the power conversion device 2 and the distribution board 3 for detection. . By doing in this way, since it becomes unnecessary to communicate with the power converter device 2, it becomes unnecessary to prepare the power converter device 2 for exclusive use.

For example, in the present embodiment, the information output device 41 is connected to the wireless LAN router 8, but the information output device 41 may have an access point function.

For example, in the present embodiment, the power amount and the time zone are associated with each other as the display data 110 and stored in the memory 416. However, the integrated current value, the current, the power, or the average value thereof is associated with the time zone. You may remember.

For example, the display unit 42 may be provided with a function of turning off the display on the display panel when there is no input on the operation panel 424 for a predetermined time. When the display unit 42 turns off the display on the display panel and sends a signal to the information output device 41 to end communication, the communication circuit 412 of the information output device 41 communicates with the display unit 412. The display unit 42 and the information output device 41 can be terminated (for example, communication that transmits power in real time can be terminated).
It is possible to suppress the power consumed by both.

For example, in the present embodiment, the information output device 41 detects the current and calculates the power, but the power may be directly detected.

For example, in the present embodiment, calculation of electric power, calculation of electric energy, and creation of display data are performed by the information output device 41, but the current detected by the information output device 41 is transmitted to the display unit 42, The display unit 42 may perform calculation based on the current.

For example, in the present embodiment, the information output device 41 receives the power output from the solar cell 1, but the error information output from the power conversion device 2 may be received. By doing in this way, when the power converter 2 stops due to an error, the information output device 41 transmits the received error information to the display unit 42, and the display unit 42 displays this error information. Thereby, an error can be notified to the user. Moreover, the display part 42 may change the content displayed according to error information.

For example, when the power conversion device 2 stops such as an abnormality (voltage increase, voltage decrease, etc.) of the commercial power system 5 but an error that can be restarted in the future occurs, the power conversion device 2 is stopped after the abnormality of the commercial power system 5 is settled. Since it is preferable to start up, “Please restart the power converter after a while.” Is displayed. This display can prompt the user to activate the power conversion device 2. At this time, the information output device 41 receives from the power conversion device 2 that the abnormality of the commercial power system has been settled by communication, and sends this information to the display unit 42. The display unit 42 stores this information. The display content may be changed. For example, “Restart the power converter after a while” is changed to “Restart the power converter.”

In addition, for example, if there is an error in the power conversion device 2 itself (such as welding of the grid interconnection relay 24) and an error occurs, the power conversion device 2 cannot be started as it is,
The message “Please contact the service center” is displayed. At this time, information such as the telephone number, address, and fax of the contact may be displayed together. By seeing this, the user can be urged to contact the service center.

Further, the information output device 41 detects sunset from the notification from the power conversion device 2, the change in the electric energy detected by the information output device 41, or the clock function, and notifies the display unit 42 to that effect. May be. When the display unit 42 receives this notification, the display unit 42 shifts to an energy saving mode (for example, the communication circuit 422 is set in a standby state, the backlight of the liquid crystal display panel is turned off, or the display of image data is turned off). By doing in this way, when the information on the power generation of the solar cell 1 that the user is interested in disappears, the mode automatically shifts to the energy saving mode, thus saving energy.

Moreover, the information output device 41 detects the start of power generation of the solar cell from the notification from the power conversion device 2, the change in the amount of power detected by the information output device 41, or the clock function, and displays on the display unit 42 to that effect. May be notified. When the display unit 42 receives this notification, the energy saving mode is canceled and the current power is displayed on the display panel 421. By doing in this way, when the information of the power generation of the solar cell 1 in which the user is interested can be obtained, it can be automatically displayed on the display unit 42. This also allows the user to check the power generation status of the solar cell 1 without any particular operation.

In addition, for example, an illuminance sensor may be provided in the display unit 42 and a function of turning off the display on the display panel when the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is lower than a predetermined value may be provided. When the display unit 42 turns off the display on the display panel and sends a signal to the information output device 41 to end communication, the communication circuit 412 of the information output device 41 communicates with the display unit 412. Since it can be terminated (for example, communication for transmitting power in real time can be terminated), the power consumed by both the display unit 42 and the information output device 41 can be suppressed.

It can be used corresponding to a display unit that outputs a signal for requesting information on generated power and reverse power flow to the system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solar cell 2 Power converter 3 Distribution board 4 Power display device 5 Commercial power system 6 Home load 7 Internet 8 Wireless LAN router 21 Booster circuit 22 Inverter circuit 23 Filter circuit 24 Relay for system connection 25 System connection control circuit 41 Information Output Device 42 Display Unit 51 Personal Computer 52 Television 53 Mobile Terminal Device CT1 Current Sensor CT2 Current Sensor

Claims (5)

Calculated for each unit time from the generated power input section that detects the generated power, the reverse power flow input section that detects the power flowing back to the grid, and the generated power detected by these power input sections and the power that flows back to the grid The amount of generated power and the amount of power that flows backward to the system in order, and the value of the amount of generated power per unit time stored in the memory and the amount of power that flows backward to the system A data generation unit for converting values into information in a predetermined data format, and a wireless LAN
An interface unit connected to the display unit, and information generated by the data generation unit of the specified unit time in response to a signal received through the interface unit and specified from the display unit. An information output device that supplies the data via the interface unit and the wireless LAN. The information output device according to claim 1, wherein the generated power input unit is connected to a power converter that converts DC power obtained from renewable energy into AC power, and acquires the value of the generated power. The reverse power flow power input unit detects power flowing in the wiring of a system connected to a distribution board connected to indoor wiring, and the data of the information is a power amount per unit time of the detected power. The information output device according to claim 1 or 2. The reverse power flow power input unit detects a current of power flowing in a system wiring connected to a distribution board connected to indoor wiring, and the data of the information is an integrated amount per unit time of the detected current. The information output device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that 5. The information output according to claim 3, further comprising a clock function for measuring the unit time, wherein the clock function obtains driving power from the wiring and is backed up by a battery. apparatus.

Images