KR101967469B1 - Electric Product - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a household appliance. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a household appliance comprising: communication means for receiving information relating to energy from the outside; An input unit for receiving a command for selecting a mode; A control unit for receiving energy related information from the communication means; And an energy consumption unit operable by the control unit, wherein the operation mode of the energy consumption unit includes a first power saving mode for restricting the operation of the energy consuming unit based on the information related to the energy, And a second power saving mode for restricting the operation of the energy consuming unit based on the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode, wherein the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode can be selected through the input unit.

Description

{Electric Product}

The present invention relates to a household appliance.

Suppliers simply supply energy sources such as electricity, water, and gas, and demanders simply use the supplied energy sources. Therefore, effective management in terms of energy production, distribution, or energy use is difficult to perform.

In other words, energy is a radial structure that is distributed from an energy supplier to a large number of consumers, that is, from the center to the periphery, and is characterized by a one-way supplier center rather than a consumer center.

The price information of electricity can not be known in real time, but it can be seen only through the power exchange, and because the price system is also a fixed price system, incentives such as incentives for consumers through price changes can not be used There was also a problem.

In order to solve these problems, there has been a lot of efforts recently to implement a horizontal, cooperative and distributed network that can efficiently manage energy and enable interaction between a consumer and a supplier.

Conventional home appliances are configured to operate in a user-input operation mode at a time input by the user. Therefore, when the household appliance operates at a power consuming place in a time period in which a large amount of power is consumed, there is a problem that electric power supply is disturbed or power failure occurs due to a larger amount of power consumption than a power supply amount at a power supply source.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a home appliance in which operation can be restricted based on user's setting or information received from outside.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a household appliance comprising: communication means for receiving information relating to energy from the outside; An input unit for receiving a command for selecting a mode; A control unit for receiving energy related information from the communication means; And an energy consumption unit operable by the control unit, wherein the operation mode of the energy consumption unit includes a first power saving mode for restricting the operation of the energy consuming unit based on the information related to the energy, And a second power saving mode for restricting the operation of the energy consuming unit based on the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode, wherein the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode can be selected through the input unit.

According to the proposed invention, since the operation of the energy consuming part can be restricted within the time limit period, there is an advantage that the energy use charge can be reduced.

1 schematically shows a network system according to the present invention;
2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a network system according to the present invention;
3 is a block diagram illustrating an information delivery process on a network system according to the present invention;
4 is a graph for explaining a fluctuation pattern of the electric bill.
5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a first embodiment of a network system according to the present invention;
6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a second embodiment of a network system according to the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing a third embodiment of a network system according to the present invention; FIG.
8 is a schematic diagram of a home network according to the present invention.
9 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of components for a network system of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an example of a display unit of a component according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
Figs. 11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining that the refrigerator is operated in the first reduction method corresponding to the request-corresponding function. Fig.
Figs. 13 and 14 are diagrams for explaining that the refrigerator is operated in the second reduction method in response to the demand corresponding function. Fig.

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

1 is a schematic diagram of a network system according to the present invention.

The network system is a system for managing energy sources such as electricity, water, and gas. The energy source means that the generated amount or the used amount can be measured.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, the network system of one embodiment includes a power plant that produces electricity. The power plant may include a power plant that generates electricity through thermal power generation or nuclear power generation, and a power plant that uses eco-friendly energy such as hydro, solar, and wind power.

Electricity generated from the power plant is transmitted to a power station through a transmission line, and electric power is transmitted to a substation in a power station so that electricity is distributed to consumers such as a home or an office.

Electricity generated by environmentally friendly energy is also transmitted to the substation and distributed to each customer. Electricity transmitted from the substation is distributed through an electric storage device or directly to the office or each household.

In the home using a home network (HAN, home area network), electric power can be produced, stored, distributed, or distributed through a solar cell or a fuel cell mounted on a PHEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) The remaining electricity can be sent back to the outside (for example, a power company).

In addition, the network system may include a smart meter for real-time monitoring of electricity consumption of a customer (home or office), an AMI (Advanced Metering infrastructure) for real- . ≪ / RTI > That is, the measurement apparatus can measure the amount of electricity used by receiving information measured by a plurality of smart meters.

In this specification, the measurement includes not only what the smart meter and the measuring apparatus itself measure, but also what the smart meter and the measuring apparatus can recognize by receiving the amount of generated or used amount from other components.

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

The function or solution performed by the energy management apparatus in this specification may be referred to as an energy management function or an energy management solution.

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

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

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the network system of the present invention is configured by a plurality of components. For example, power plants, substations, power stations, energy management devices, household appliances, smart meters, capacitors, web servers, measuring devices, and home servers are components of the network system.

Further, in the present invention, each component can be constituted by a plurality of detailed components. For example, when one component is a household appliance (an electric appliance), a microcomputer, a heater, a display, and a motor constituting the appliance may be detailed components.

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

Further, one network may be a single component or may be composed of a plurality of components.

In this specification, a network system in which communication information is related to an energy source may be referred to as an energy grid.

The network system of one embodiment may be composed of a utility network (UAN) 10 and a home network (HAN) 20. The utility network 10 and the home network 20 can be wired or wirelessly communicated by communication means. At this time, the utility network 10 and the home network can communicate directly or via an external server.

In this specification, assumption means a group of specific components such as a building, a company, and the like, as well as assumptions of a dictionary meaning. A utility is a collection of specific components outside the home.

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

When one or more components of the utility network 10 consume energy, the energy consuming component may be an energy consuming part. That is, the energy consuming part may be a separate component or included in another component.

The energy generating unit 11 may be, for example, a power plant. The energy distribution unit 12 distributes or transfers the energy generated by the energy generation unit 11 and / or the energy stored in the energy storage unit 13 to the energy consuming unit. The energy distribution unit 12 may be a power transmission unit, a substation, a power station, or the like.

The energy storage unit 13 may be a battery and the energy management unit 14 may include an energy generation unit 11, an energy distribution unit 12, an energy storage unit 13, an energy consumption unit 26). ≪ / RTI > In one example, the energy management unit 14 may generate an instruction regarding at least the operation of a specific component.

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

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

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

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

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

The energy consuming unit 26 may be a heater, a motor, a display, or the like that constitutes an electric appliance (a refrigerator, a washing machine, an air conditioner, a cooking appliance, a cleaner, a drier, a dishwasher, a dehumidifier, . It is to be noted that there is no limitation in the kind of the energy consuming section 26 in the present embodiment.

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

The energy generating unit 21, the energy distributing unit 22, and the energy storing unit 23 may be individual components or a single component.

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

The energy network auxiliary unit 28 is a component having an original function while performing an additional function for the energy grid. For example, the energy network auxiliary unit 28 may be a web service providing unit (e.g., a computer), a mobile device, a television, and the like.

The accessory component 29 is a dedicated energy network component that performs an additional function for the energy network. For example, the accessory component 29 may be an energy-network-dedicated weather-receiving antenna.

The Consumable handling component 30 is a component that stores, supplies, and delivers a consumable, and can confirm or recognize information on a consumable. The consumable can be, for example, an article or a material to be used or processed in operation of the energy consuming unit 26. [ The consumable processing unit 30 may be managed by the energy management unit 24 in the energy network.

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

The energy distributing units 12 and 22, the energy storing units 13 and 23, the energy managing units 14 and 24, the energy measuring units 15 and 25, The central management unit 26, and the central management unit 27 may exist independently of each other, or two or more may constitute a single component.

For example, the energy management units 14 and 24, the energy measurement units 15 and 25, and the central management unit 27 exist as a single component, and each of the smart meters, the energy management device, Or the energy management units 14 and 24, the energy measurement units 15 and 25, and the central management unit 27 may constitute a single component mechanically.

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

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

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

For example, the communication means may be a simple communication line or a power line communication means. Of course, the power line communication means may include a communicator (e.g., a modem or the like) connected to each of the two components. As another example, the communication means may be zigbee, wi-fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or the like. In the present specification, there is no limitation on a method for wired communication or a method for wireless communication.

The two components constituting the utility network 10 can communicate by communication means. In addition, the two components constituting the home network 20 can be communicated by communication means (second interface). The energy consumption unit 26 may be connected to at least one of the energy management unit 24, the energy measurement unit 25, the central management unit 27, the energy network auxiliary unit 28, As shown in Fig.

The microcomputer of each of the components (for example, the energy consuming unit) can communicate with the communication unit (the second interface) (third interface). For example, when the energy consuming unit is an electronic product, the energy consuming unit may receive information from the energy management unit by a communication means (second interface), and the received information is transmitted to the microcomputer Lt; / RTI >

Further, the energy consuming unit 26 can communicate with the accessory component 29 through a communication means (fourth interface). Further, the energy consuming unit 26 can communicate with the consumable processing unit 30 through a communication means (fifth interface).

3 is a block diagram illustrating an information delivery process on the network system of the present invention. 4 (a) is a graph showing TOU (Time of use) information and critical peak pattern (CPP) information, and FIG. 4 (b) is a graph showing RTP (real time pattern) information.

Referring to Fig. 3, in the network system of the present invention, a specific component C can receive information related to energy (hereinafter, "energy information") by communication means. Further, the specific component (C) can be configured to include additional information (environmental information, program update information, time information, operation or status information of each component (failure), and consumer habit information using the energy consumption unit Can be further received.

The environmental information may include carbon dioxide emission amount, carbon dioxide concentration in air, temperature, humidity, rainfall amount, rainfall amount, insolation amount, air amount, and the like.

In another aspect, the information includes internal information such as information relating to each component (operation or status information (failure) of each component, energy usage information of the energy consumption unit, consumer habits information using the energy consumption unit, etc.) (Energy-related information, environmental information, program update information, and time information), which are information.

At this time, the information can be received from other components. That is, the received information includes at least energy information.

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

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

For example, the types of information related to electricity include time-based pricing, energy curtailment, grid emergency, grid reliability, energy increment, generation Amount, operation priority, and energy consumption amount. In this embodiment, the charge related to the energy source is an energy charge.

In other words, information related to energy can be classified into charge information (energy charge) and out-of-charge information (energy reduction, emergency situation, network safety, generation amount, energy increase, operation priority, energy consumption amount, etc.). The charge information or the non-charge information may be transmitted and received together with or replaced with time information. For example, time information requiring energy reduction can be transmitted and received in the energy network.

Such information can be divided into scheduled information generated in advance based on previous information and real time information that varies in real time. The schedule information and the real-time information can be classified according to the prediction of the information after the present time (future).

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

Referring to FIG. 4 (a), according to the TOU information, data is changed stepwise according to time. According to the CPP information, the data changes stepwise or real-time with time, and emphasis is displayed at a specific time point. That is, in the case of the CPP pattern, the general charge is cheaper than the charge of the TOU pattern, but the charge at the specific point in time is significantly more expensive than the charge in the TOU pattern.

Referring to FIG. 4 (b), according to the RTP information, data changes in real time according to time.

The energy information I may be transmitted or received as true or false signals such as Boolean on a network system, actual price information may be transmitted or received, And transmitted / received. Hereinafter, an example of information related to electricity will be described.

When the specific component C receives a true or false signal such as a Boolean signal, it recognizes one of the signals as an on-peak signal and the other signal as an off-peak ) Signal.

Alternatively, a particular component may recognize information about at least one drive that includes an electricity bill, and the particular component may compare on-peak and off-peak values by comparing the recognized information value with a reference information value off-peak.

For example, when a specific component recognizes leveled information or actual price information, the specific component compares the recognized information value with the reference information value to determine on-peak and off-peak values, Lt; / RTI >

At this time, the information value about the driving may be at least one of an electricity rate, a power rate, a rate of change of the electricity rate, a rate of change of the electric power rate, an average value of the electricity rate and an average value of the electric power amount. The reference information value may be at least one of an average value, an average value of a minimum value and a maximum value of power information during a predetermined section, and a reference change rate of power information during a predetermined section (for example, a slope of power consumption amount per unit time).

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

If the specific component (for example, the energy consuming unit) recognizes an on-peak (for example, a recognition time point), the output may be set to 0 (stop or stop) and the output may be reduced. The specific component may determine the driving method in advance before starting the operation, and may change the driving method when the on-peak is recognized after the operation starts.

And, if a particular component recognizes off-peak, it can recover or increase its output when needed. That is, when a particular component that recognizes an on-peak recognizes an off-peak, the output can be restored to its previous state or increased further than the previous output.

At this time, the total consumed power and / or the total electricity use charge during the entire driving time of the specific component is reduced, even when the output of the specific component is recovered or the output is increased after recognizing the off-peak.

Alternatively, when the specific component recognizes an on-peak (for example, a recognition time point), the output can be maintained if it is an operable condition. At this time, the operable condition means that the information value of the driving is below a certain standard. The information value regarding the driving may be information about an electric charge, an amount of power consumption or operation time, and the like. The constant criterion may be a relative value or an absolute value.

The predetermined criteria may be set in real time or may be set in advance. The predetermined criteria may be set in the utility network or in a home network (input by a consumer direct input, energy management unit, central management unit, etc.).

Alternatively, the output may be increased if the particular component recognizes an on-peak (for example, a point-in-time). However, even when the output is increased at the time when the on-peak is recognized, the total output amount during the entire driving period of the specific component can be reduced or maintained to be less than the total output amount when the specific component operates at the normal output.

Alternatively, the total power consumption or total electricity charge during the entire drive period of a particular component, even when the output increases at the time when it recognizes the on-peak, is the total power consumed or total It can be reduced than the electricity rate.

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

Further, in the case of a refrigerator, it is possible to store the hot water in the hot water tank by supercooling the output by increasing the output from the existing output, or by driving the heater before the expected operation time of the heater in the case of the washing machine or the washing machine. This is to operate the off-peak in advance to be operated at an on-peak to be reached in the future, thereby reducing the electricity bill.

Or when a particular component recognizes an off-peak (for example, when it is recognized).

In the present invention, the particular component (e.g., the energy consuming unit) may maintain, reduce or increase the output. Thus, a particular component may include a power changing component. Since the power can be defined by current and voltage, the power variable component may include a current regulator and / or a voltage regulator. The power variable component may, for example, be operated in response to an instruction issued from the energy manager.

On the other hand, the energy curtailment information is information related to a mode in which the component is stopped or the electricity fee is reduced. The energy reduction information may be transmitted or received as a true or false signal, such as a Boolean on a network system. That is, a stop signal (turn off signal) or a reduction signal (lower power signal) can be transmitted and received.

When the specific component recognizes the energy reduction information, it can reduce the output (when the lower power signal is recognized) or to zero the output as described above (if the stop or stop state is maintained) have.

As another example, the energy reduction information may include time information. The time information is length information of time for which energy should be reduced. The method for reducing energy according to the time information may be different.

Illustratively, if the length of time for which the energy is to be reduced is greater than the reference value, the consumer product may operate in the load delay mode. On the other hand, when the length of time for which the energy is to be reduced is less than the reference value, the household appliances can operate in the load /

In the present specification, a function in which a specific component receiving energy reduction information operates correspondingly is called a demand response function. The capability of the specific component to operate in the load delay mode when the length of time required for reducing the energy is equal to or greater than the reference value may be referred to as a delay load capability. In addition, when the length of time for which the energy is to be reduced is less than the reference value, the capability of the specific component to operate in the load temporary delay mode can be referred to as a temporary application load reduction capability.

The emergency information (Grid emergency) is information related to a power failure or the like, and can be transmitted and received as a true or false signal, for example, as a Boolean. The information related to the power failure or the like is related to the reliability of components using energy.

If the particular component recognizes the emergency information, it may be immediately shut down.

When the specific component receives the emergency information as the schedule information, the specific component may increase the output before the arrival of the emergency time point and perform the same operation as that of the off-peak of the specific component described above . And, at the time of the emergency, the specific component can be shut down.

The grid reliability information is information about the amount of electricity supplied or the amount of electricity supplied or information about the quality of electricity. The grid reliability information may be transmitted or received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean or supplied as a component (for example, an electrical product) The component may determine the frequency of the AC power source.

That is, when an underfrequency lower than the reference frequency of the AC power supplied to the component is detected (recognized), it is judged that the supplied electricity quantity is low (lack of supplied electricity quantity), and an overfrequency higher than the reference frequency of the AC power supply If it is sensed (recognized), it can be judged that there is a large amount of electricity supplied (excessive amount of electricity supplied).

In the case where the specific component recognizes that the electricity quantity is small in the network safety information or recognizes that the electricity quality is not good (insufficient supply electricity quantity information), as mentioned above, the specific component may output 0 Or remain stationary), reduce output, maintain output, or increase output.

On the other hand, when the amount of electricity supply excess information is recognized, the specific component can be switched from an off state to an on state.

The energy increase information is information about a state in which electricity consumed by a component consuming energy is smaller than a generation amount and surplus electricity is generated. For example, the energy increase information can be transmitted or received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean.

When the specific component recognizes the energy increase information, the output can be increased. For example, when the operation reservation is set, a component having a large output before a set time starts driving or a component having a large output among a plurality of components may be driven first. Further, in the case of a refrigerator, it is possible to store the hot water by supercooling the output by increasing the output from the existing output, or by driving the heater in advance of the expected time of operation of the heater in the case of a washing machine or a washing machine.

The on-peak information, the energy reduction information, and the electricity shortage information among the energy-related information described above can be recognized as high-price information, which is understood to be relatively expensive. In this case, a period in which the high-cost information is recognized may be referred to as a high-cost period.

On the other hand, off-peak information, energy increase information, and excess electricity supply information among the energy-related information can be regarded as low-price information which is relatively low in energy charge. In this case, the period in which the low-cost information is recognized may be referred to as a low-cost period.

The information related to the upper and lower portions of the energy charge (high-cost or low-cost information) can be recognized as information for determining a power-saving driving mode of a specific component (for example, an energy consuming unit). That is, by using the information on the upper and lower sides of the energy charge, a time period (area) based on the energy charge or a pricing period for determining the driving method of the component is divided into at least two can do.

For example, when information related to energy is recognized as a boolean signal, the time zone according to the energy charge or the charge band for determining the driving method of the component may be recognized as two, Or if it is recognized as real time information, the time zone or the fare zone may be recognized as three or more.

On the other hand, the information related to the energy charge corresponding to at least the time can be recognized as information for determining the power saving drive method of the component. That is, the time zone (area) or the fare zone (area) can be recognized and distinguished by at least two or more using the information related to the energy charge. As described above, the time zone or the fare zone to be distinguished may be determined according to the type of information (boolean, multiple levels, real-time information) recognized.

In other words, two or more determination factors for driving the component can be distinguished and recognized using information related to the energy charge. The determination factors may include functions related to time and energy charges.

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

On the other hand, when the information related to the recognized energy charge is not distinguished according to a specific criterion (for example, real-time charge information), information relating to the energy charge is compared with predetermined information, Can be determined.

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

On the other hand, each kind of information related to the energy includes unprocessed first information (I1), second information (I2) which is information processed in the first information, and a function And third information (I3), which is information for execution. That is, the first information is raw data, the second information is refined data, and the third information is a command for performing a function of a specific component.

And, energy related information is included in the signal and transmitted. At this time, at least one of the first to third information may be converted only the signal, and the content may be transferred many times without being converted.

For example, as shown in the figure, a component receiving a signal including the first information I1 may simply convert a signal and transmit a new signal including the first information I1 to another component.

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

However, the third information may be transmitted a plurality of times in a state in which the contents are converted, or may be transmitted a plurality of times in a state in which signals are converted while maintaining the same contents.

In detail, when the first information is unprocessed electricity rate information, the second information may be processed electricity rate information. The processed electricity bill information is information or analytical information in which electric bill is divided into multiple levels. The third information is an instruction generated based on the first information or the second information.

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

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

In one example, when a particular component receives the first information, the particular component may transmit the second information, transmit the second information and the third information, or transmit only the third information.

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

On the other hand, in the relationship between two pieces of information, one piece of information is a message and the other piece of information is a response to a message. Accordingly, each component constituting the network system can transmit or receive a message, and can respond to a received message when receiving a message. Therefore, the transmission and correspondence of a message is a relative concept for individual components.

The message may comprise data (first information or second information) and / or instructions (third information).

The command (third information) includes at least one of a data storage command, a data generation command, a data processing command (including generating additional data), an additional command generation command, a further generated command transmission command, Command, and the like.

In this specification, responding to a received message means that it is necessary to store data, to process data (including generating additional data), to generate a new command, to send a newly created command, ), Operation, transmission of stored information, transmission of an acknowledge character or negative acknowledge character, etc.

For example, if the message is first information, the component that received the first information may generate a second information by processing the first information, generate second information, and generate new third information, Only the third information can be generated.

Specifically, when the energy management unit 24 receives the first information (internal information and / or external information), the energy management unit 24 generates the second information and / or the third information, And may be transmitted to one or more constituent components (e.g., an energy consuming unit). The energy consuming unit 26 may operate according to the third information received from the energy managing unit 24. [

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

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

That is, in this embodiment, the first component 31 serves as a gateway. The first component 31 may be, for example, one of an energy management unit, an energy measurement unit, a central management unit, an energy network auxiliary unit, an energy consumption unit, and the like.

A component acting as a gateway in the present invention not only enables communication between components communicating using different communication protocols, but also enables communication between components communicating using the same communication protocol.

Each of the second to fourth components 32, 33 and 34 may be one of an energy generating unit, an energy distributing unit, an energy managing unit, an energy storing unit, an energy measuring unit, a central managing unit, have.

The first component 31 may receive information from the utility network 10 or one or more components that make up the utility network 10 and may forward or process the received information so that the second component- (32, 34). For example, when the first component 31 is an energy measurement unit, the first component may receive electric bill information and transmit it to an energy management unit, an energy consumption unit, and the like.

And each of the second to fourth components can communicate with another component. For example, the first component 31 may be an energy measurement unit, the second component may be an energy management unit, and the energy management unit may communicate with one or more energy consumption units.

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

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

That is, the present invention includes a plurality of components (first and second components 41 and 42) serving as a gateway. The first and second components may be homogeneous components or other types of components.

The first component 41 may communicate with one or more components (e.g., the third and fourth components 43 and 44), and the second component 42 may communicate with one or more components And the sixth component 45, 46).

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

Each of the third to sixth components may be one of an energy generation unit, an energy distribution unit, an energy management unit, an energy measurement unit, a central management unit, an energy network auxiliary unit, and an energy consumption unit.

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

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

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

Referring to FIG. 8, the home network 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an energy measuring unit 25 for measuring in real time power and / or electricity rates supplied to the homes from the utility network 10 For example, a smart meter, the energy measurement unit 25, and an energy management unit 24 connected to and controlling the operation of the electric product.

On the other hand, the electricity rate of each household can be charged by the hourly rate, and the electricity rate per hour becomes high in the time interval in which the electric power consumption is rapidly increased, and the electricity rate per hour becomes low when the electric power consumption is relatively low .

The energy management unit 24 is connected to the electric appliance such as the refrigerator 61, the washing machine 62, the air conditioner 63, the dryer 64 or the cooking appliance 65 as the energy consuming unit 26 through the network inside the home. And the like, so that bi-directional communication can be performed.

Communication in the home can be done through wired lines such as wireless or power line communication (Zigbee, wifi, Bluetooth, etc.), and one electric appliance can be connected to communicate with other appliances .

9 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a component for a network system of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the refrigerator in the energy consumption portion will be described as a component for the network system. The description of the refrigerator is equally applicable to other energy consuming parts. In addition, it should be noted that the description of the energy consumption section can be applied to components other than the energy consumption section.

Referring to FIG. 9, the refrigerator 61 for the network system according to the present invention may include communication means 71 for performing communication with other components constituting the network system.

The communication means (71) can receive at least the energy reduction information from other components. The energy reduction information may include time limit information for which energy should be reduced.

The refrigerator 61 includes an input unit 72 capable of inputting a predetermined command, a display unit 73 for displaying driving information of itself or information recognized from the communication unit 71, at least the display unit 73 (Not shown). The controller 70 may control the entire operation of the refrigerator 61. [

In the case where the display unit 73 includes a touch screen capable of inputting a command by a touch method, all or a part of the input unit 72 may be included in the display unit 73. That is, all or a part of the input unit 72 may be implemented in the display unit 73.

The refrigerator 61 includes a compressor 74 used for cooling the inside of the oven, a heater 75 for performing defrosting, an ice maker 76 for generating ice, a fan for circulating cold air, And a fan motor 77 for driving the fan motor 77.

The control unit 70 may receive the information received by the communication unit 71. [ The controller 70 controls the compressor 74, the heater 75, the ice maker 76, the fan motor (not shown), and the fan motor 74 based on the information received from the communication unit 71 and the information input from the input unit 72 77) can be controlled.

The compressor (74) can be turned on / off so that the temperature in the furnace is maintained at the target temperature.

The heater 75 may be turned on if defrosting of the evaporator (not shown) is determined to be necessary.

The ice maker 76 may include ice-making means having a motor as an example for dropping the generated ice into a storage tank (not shown). In the present invention, the ice making device and the ice-making device can be implemented by a known technique, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The refrigerator 61 may be configured to perform a power saving function or a general function. The power saving function is a function for reducing the energy consumption or the energy usage fee as compared with the general function. The power saving function may be performed based on energy information or by user's setting. For example, the power saving function or the general function may be selected and changed by the input unit 72 or the display unit 73. [

As another example, either the power saving function or the general function may be automatically set according to whether the refrigerator 61 can communicate with other components. Or one of the power saving function and the general function may be automatically changed to another function automatically or may be changed to another function by the function switching button.

The mode for performing the power saving function may be referred to as a power saving mode, and the mode for performing the general function may be referred to as a normal mode. In this embodiment, the power saving mode may include a plurality of modes.

The power saving function is a Demand Response Functionality described above.

When the display unit 73 is applied to the refrigerator, the door opening notification information may be displayed on the display unit 73 when the refrigerator door is opened for a predetermined time or longer. At this time, the door open notifying information displayed when the request corresponding function is turned on and the door open notifying information displayed when the request corresponding function is turned off may be displayed differently.

The display unit 73 may display information for notifying the cleaning time of the parts of the component that require cleaning. At this time, the parts required for the vacuum cleaner may be a filter or a heat exchanger for heat exchange.

In addition, the display unit 73 may display warning information when the component consumes energy exceeding a predetermined value. At this time, the predetermined value may be set at the time of manufacturing the component or may be set by the user.

Information not displayed on the display unit 73 may be output from the sound output unit. In addition, the information displayed on the display unit 76 or the non-displayed information may be transmitted to one or more components constituting the home network or utility network.

10 is a view illustrating an exemplary display unit of a component according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 10, for example, a screen displayed on the display unit of the refrigerator 61 is shown.

Referring to FIG. 10, the display unit 73 may display a screen for selecting the corresponding request function.

And a selection unit 112 for selecting the request corresponding function may be displayed on the screen. The request corresponding function can be turned on or off using the selection unit 112. [

For example, the selection unit 112 may include an ON button and an OFF button, or may include one button. When the selection unit 112 includes one button, the selection may be on or off depending on the number of times the button is pressed. Alternatively, when the selection unit 112 receives a command in a touch manner, it can select ON or OFF by moving the bar while touching the bar for selecting ON or OFF.

It should be noted that the present invention does not limit the method for turning on / off the request countermeasure function.

When the request corresponding function is turned on in the screen, reduction time information 110 to be reduced by energy can be displayed. That is, the time information included in the received energy reduction information can be displayed.

For example, in the above screen, one or more reduction time intervals to be reduced by energy within a time range of 24 hours may be displayed.

The reduction time interval may include a start time and an end time. For example, in the time graph including 24 hours, the reduction time interval may be displayed to have a specific color. The current time can be separately displayed in the time graph. That is, the reduction time section and other sections may be separately displayed on the screen, and the display method is not limited to the example described above.

The maximum length of the reduction time interval that the component can receive is, for example, 4 hours or less. The reference value for distinguishing the load delay mode from the load temporary reduction mode may be, for example, 11 minutes. However, in this specification, the maximum length and the reference value may be changed.

The user can vary the length of the reduction time interval displayed on the screen. For example, the length of the reduction time period can be reduced. The start time of the reduction time section may be delayed, the end time of the reduction time section may be advanced, or the start time may be delayed and the end time may be advanced.

Illustratively, the user can move the boundary line while touching the boundary line of the start time of the reduction time interval. In addition, the user can move the boundary line while touching the boundary line of the end time of the reduction time interval.

Then, when the current time reaches the start time of the reduction time interval or the current time coincides with the reduction time interval, the component operates in a load delay mode or a load temporal reduction mode.

The user can deactivate the request response function while the component is operating in the load delay mode or the load temporary reduction mode. That is, if the component does not want to perform the request-corresponding function, the user can cancel the request-corresponding function by selecting the cancel button 114 or the cancel button. Alternatively, by turning off the request corresponding function using the selection unit 112, the request corresponding function can be released.

A selection unit 122 for selecting a defrost delay function may be displayed on the screen. In this specification, the defrost delay function is a power saving function selected by the user. That is, the user can select the defrost delay function irrespective of whether energy information is received or not.

The mode for performing the defrost delay function is also a power saving mode. Accordingly, in the present invention, the power saving mode of the component (household appliance) may include at least a first power saving mode for performing the request corresponding function and a second power saving mode for performing the defrost delay function. In addition, the first power saving mode may include a load delay mode and a load temporary reduction mode.

The on / off method of the defrost delay function using the selection unit 122 is the same as the on / off method of the function for responding a request using the selection unit 112, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the defrost delay function is turned on, time information 120 on which defrosting is to be delayed can be displayed. For example, in the above screen, a delay time interval in which defrosting is to be delayed within a time range of 24 hours can be classified and displayed. At this time, one or a plurality of delay time section information may be displayed. The delay time period may be stored in a memory (not shown) in advance.

The delay time interval may include a start time and an end time. For example, in the time graph including 24 hours, the reduction time interval may be displayed to have a specific color. The current time can be separately displayed in the time graph. That is, the delay time interval and other intervals may be displayed separately on the screen, and the display method is not limited to the above-described example.

The maximum length of the delay time interval may be, for example, 4 hours or less. The maximum length, start time and end time of the delay time interval may be set at the time of initial production of the component. If one delay time interval is set as an example, the delay time interval may be from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm or from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. As another example, when two delay time sections are set, the first delay time section may be from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, and the second delay time section may be from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

When the defrost delay function is turned on, the delay time interval set in the time graph can be displayed.

The user can vary the length of the delay time period displayed on the screen. For example, the length of the delay time period can be reduced. As another example, the start time or end time of the delay time section may be changed.

For example, the start time of the delay time period may be delayed or advanced. Alternatively, the end time of the abatement time interval may be advanced or delayed.

For example, the user can move the boundary line in a state where the boundary line of the start time of the delay time interval is touched. In addition, the user can move the boundary line left and right while touching the boundary line of the end time of the delay time interval.

However, since the maximum length of the delay time interval is set, if either the start time or the end time of the delay time interval is changed but the changed delay time interval exceeds the maximum length, the other one of the start time and the end time It can be changed automatically. For example, if the delay time period is from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and the user changes the start time of the delay time period to 2:00 pm, the end time may be automatically changed to 6:00 pm. However, if the user changes the start time of the delay time period to 4 pm, the end time may not be changed.

When the current time reaches the start time of the delay time interval or the start time of the current time coincides with the start time of the delay time interval with the defrost delay function turned on, the defrosting operation of the component is restricted. At this time, the user can release the defrost delay function. That is, if the user desires not to perform the function corresponding to the request, the user can cancel the defrost delay function by selecting the cancel button 124 or the release button. Alternatively, the defrost delay function can be canceled by turning off the defrost delay function using the selection unit 122. [

In the present invention, the demand corresponding function and the defrost delay function can not be simultaneously turned on, and only one of them can be turned on. For example, when one of the request corresponding function and the defrost delay function is turned on, the other function can be turned off. Of course, it is possible that both the demand response function and the defrost delay function are turned off.

At this time, the order of the demand corresponding function and the defrost delay function may be set. That is, even when the defrost delay function is selected, when the current time reaches the start time of the reduction time section, the defrost delay function is automatically turned off, and the request corresponding function can be turned on. In other words, when at least a part of the time limit period of each of the demand corresponding function and the defrost delay function is overlapped, the demand corresponding function takes precedence. Of course, in this case, the defrost delay function is turned off, and information for notifying the user that the request corresponding function is turned on may be displayed on the display unit 73. [

Hereinafter, the operation of the component corresponding to the request corresponding function will be described.

11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining that the refrigerator is operated in the load delay mode in response to the function corresponding to the demand.

In the present invention, for example, the load delay mode is a mode for limiting defrost operation.

It is called normal operation that the refrigerator operates to keep the temperature in the furnace at the target temperature. And, operation of the refrigerator for defrosting the evaporator is referred to as defrost operation. The operation of the refrigerator after defrosting is completed is referred to as defrosting operation. Generally, the refrigerator operates in the order of normal operation, defrosting operation, defrosting operation, and normal operation. However, the operation after defrosting may be omitted in this specification. The defrosting operation may include a plurality of detailed operations. That is, the defrosting operation may include a first defrosting operation and a second defrosting operation. Alternatively, the defrosting operation may include the first defrosting operation, the second defrosting operation, or the post-defrost operation.

First, the refrigerator is defrosted when defrosting of the evaporator is required during normal operation.

In the second defrosting operation, the compressor (74) is stopped and the heater (75) is turned on. Generally, when the compressor 74 is turned on, the temperature in the hearth rises.

In the first defrosting operation, the compressor 74 is operated so that the temperature in the furnace is lower than the reference temperature before the second defrosting operation. In other words, since the internal temperature rises as the compressor 74 stops in the second defrosting operation, the temperature in the inside of the furnace is lowered to the reference temperature before the second defrosting operation is started, The difference between the temperature and the set temperature is minimized.

In the post-defrost operation, the compressor (74) is operated until the temperature in the furnace reaches the set temperature. At this time, since the internal temperature reaches the set temperature even in the normal operation, the operation after defrosting can be omitted as described above.

The function of the compressor in the normal operation is referred to as a first function, the function of the compressor in the first defrosting operation is referred to as a second function, and the function of the compressor in the operation after defrosting is referred to as a third function. do. The functions of the compressor are switchable according to the mode.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the refrigerator receives the energy reduction information during the first defrost operation, or when the reduction time period starts (hereinafter, an example of receiving a reduction signal will be described as an example) , And the refrigerator performs the normal operation until the reduction time period ends.

And, when the reduction time period ends, the refrigerator performs the first defrosting operation again from the beginning. That is, when the refrigerator receives the reduction signal during the first defrosting operation, the refrigerator starts the first defrosting operation after the first defrosting operation is terminated and the normalization operation is terminated.

According to the present embodiment, since the refrigerator operates normally during the reduction time period, the energy usage fee can be reduced as compared with the case where the first defrost operation is performed.

12, when the first defrosting operation is completed and the refrigerator receives the reduction signal during the second defrosting operation, the refrigerator terminates the second defrosting operation, Can be performed. When the reduction time period ends, the refrigerator may determine whether defrosting operation is necessary, and start the defrosting operation or perform normal operation.

At this time, when the post-defrost operation is finished during the reduction time period, the refrigerator can perform normal operation during the reduction time period. If the defrosting operation is completed during the reduction time period and the defrosting operation is required during the normal operation, the refrigerator does not start the first defrosting operation in the reduction time interval, and when the reduction time interval is ended , The first defrosting operation can be started.

Meanwhile, when the refrigerator receives the reduction signal while the refrigerator is in normal operation, the refrigerator can be continuously operated normally.

In the present invention, the load delay mode may include a mode for restricting the operation of the idling means. For example, when the refrigerator receives a reduction signal while the refrigeration unit is in operation, the refrigeration unit stops operating, and when the reduction time period ends, the refrigeration unit can operate.

In addition, even when the operation of the ice-making device is required within the reduction time interval while the ice-making device is stopped, the ice-keeping device maintains the stopped state within the reduction time interval, and when the reduction time interval ends, The moving means is operated.

In the present invention, the load delay mode includes at least one of a defrost operation limiting mode and an idling means restriction mode. That is, either one of the defrost operation limiting mode and the idling means restriction mode may be applied, or both modes may be applied to the refrigerator.

On the other hand, the defrost delay function is the same as the function of limiting the defrost operation. That is, when the defrost delay function is on, the first defrosting operation is terminated and the refrigerator is operated normally when the delay time period is started during the first defrosting operation as shown in FIG. When the delay time period ends, the refrigerator starts the first defrosting operation again from the beginning.

12, when the delay time period starts during the second defrosting operation, the second defrosting operation is terminated and the refrigerator operates after defrosting.

As described above, even when the load delay mode is performed or the defrost delay function is turned on to perform the defrost operation restriction, the user can cancel the defrost delay function or the response function using the cancel button 114 or 124 have.

Figs. 13 and 14 are diagrams for explaining that the refrigerator is operated in the load / moment abatement mode in response to the demand corresponding function.

Referring to FIG. 13, when the refrigerator is in the first defrosting operation, when the reduction signal is received, the first defrosting operation is stopped and the refrigerator is stopped. That is, the compressor (10) and the fan motor (77) are stopped. Then, the heater 75 maintains the stopped state. When the reduction signal is received while the ancillary means is in operation, the operation of the idle means is stopped. When the reduction signal is received in a state where the idling means is stopped, the idling means remains in a stopped state.

When the operation of the refrigerator is stopped and the reduction time period ends, the refrigerator resumes the first defrosting operation. That is, when the reduction time period ends, the first defrosting operation is restarted without restarting the first defrosting operation from the beginning.

Next, referring to Fig. 14, when the refrigerator receives the reduction signal during the second defrosting operation, the second defrosting operation is stopped and the refrigerator is stopped. That is, the heater is stopped. When the reduction signal is received while the ancillary means is in operation, the operation of the idle means is stopped. Alternatively, when the reduction signal is received in a state in which the idling means is stopped, the idling means remains in a stopped state.

When the operation of the refrigerator is stopped, the refrigerator resumes the second defrosting operation. That is, when the reduction time period ends, the first defrosting operation or the second defrosting operation is not restarted from the beginning, and the interrupted second defrosting operation is resumed.

On the other hand, when the reduction reduction period starts during the normal operation of the refrigerator, the operation of the refrigerator is stopped. The component that has been turned on stops operating. As an example, the operation of the compressor and the fan motor may be stopped.

In the above embodiment, the reduction time interval and the delay time interval are collectively referred to as a time limit interval.

On the other hand, when the request corresponding function or the defrost delay function is turned on and the refrigerator is limited in operation in response to the actual demand function or the defrost delay function, May not be performed again. For example, when the defrosting operation of the refrigerator is limited in response to the demand countermeasure function or the defrost delay function, the demand countermeasure function or defrost delay function is turned on within 24 hours, and the current time is the start time The defrosting operation may not be restricted. The reason for this is to prevent the cooling performance of the refrigerator itself from deteriorating when the defrosting operation is limited a plurality of times within a predetermined time.

60: Refrigerator 73: Display
74: compressor 75: heater

Claims (19)

Communication means for receiving information relating to energy from the outside;
An input unit for receiving a command for selecting a mode;
A control unit for receiving energy related information from the communication means; And
And an energy consuming unit operable by the control unit,
Wherein the operation mode of the energy consuming section includes a first power saving mode for restricting the operation of the energy consuming section based on the information relating to the energy,
And a second power saving mode for restricting operation of the energy consuming part, based on information related to the energy,
Wherein the input unit comprises:
A first selection unit for selecting the first power saving mode,
And a second selector for selecting the second power saving mode,
Wherein each of the first selection unit and the second selection unit includes at least one button that can select on or off by a touch operation. delete delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein one of the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode is turned on and the other is automatically turned off. The method according to claim 1,
And can turn off both the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode through the input unit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the display unit or the input unit displays limit time period information in which the operation of the energy consuming unit is restricted in the first power saving mode or the second power saving mode. 8. The method of claim 7,
And the length of the time limit period can be varied using the input unit. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein a maximum value of the limited time interval is set and a length of the limited time interval is varied within a range that does not exceed the maximum value. Communication means for receiving information relating to energy from the outside;
An input unit for receiving a command for selecting a mode;
A control unit for receiving energy related information from the communication means; And
And an energy consuming unit operable by the control unit,
Wherein the operation mode of the energy consuming section includes a first power saving mode for restricting the operation of the energy consuming section based on the information relating to the energy,
And a second power saving mode for restricting operation of the energy consuming part, based on information related to the energy,
Wherein the control unit can select one of the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode through the input unit,
The display unit or the input unit displays limit time period information in which the operation of the energy consuming unit is restricted in the first power saving mode or the second power saving mode,
Wherein the start time or the end time can be changed while maintaining the length of the time limit period. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the limited time period and the remaining time period are displayed separately on the display unit or the input unit within a predetermined time interval. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the operation restriction of the energy consuming section can be released while the operation of the energy consuming section is restricted within the time limit period. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the input section includes a release button for releasing an operation restriction of the energy consuming section. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein when the operation of the energy consuming part is limited, the operation restriction of the energy consuming part is blocked within a certain time from the end of the operation restriction of the energy consuming part. Communication means for receiving information relating to energy from the outside;
An input unit for receiving a command for selecting a mode;
A control unit for receiving energy related information from the communication means; And
And an energy consuming unit operable by the control unit,
Wherein the operation mode of the energy consuming section includes a first power saving mode for restricting the operation of the energy consuming section based on the information relating to the energy,
And a second power saving mode for restricting operation of the energy consuming part, based on information related to the energy,
Wherein the control unit can select one of the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode through the input unit,
Wherein priority is determined between the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode. 16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein the first power saving mode takes precedence when the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode overlap in a time limit period. 17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the mode change information is displayed on the display unit or the input unit when the second power saving mode is changed to the first power saving mode. Communication means for receiving information relating to energy from the outside;
An input unit for receiving a command for selecting a mode;
A control unit for receiving energy related information from the communication means; And
And an energy consuming unit operable by the control unit,
Wherein the operation mode of the energy consuming section includes a first power saving mode for restricting the operation of the energy consuming section based on the information relating to the energy,
And a second power saving mode for restricting operation of the energy consuming part, based on information related to the energy,
Wherein the control unit can select one of the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode through the input unit,
Wherein the first power saving mode can be divided into a plurality of modes based on a length of the time limit period. 19. The method of claim 18,
Wherein the method of limiting the energy consuming part is different for each of the divided modes.

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