WO2003040838A1

WO2003040838A1 - Electric power control apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2003040838A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/009849
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hirokazu Kadowaki
Original assignee: Be One Factory Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-05-29
Filing date: 2001-11-09
Publication date: 2003-05-15
Also published as: JP3290644B2; JP2001339877A

Abstract

An electric power control apparatus having an operation monitor unit for monitoring the operational state of an electric power device, an electric power control unit for shifting the device to a driving state of a low power consumption, and a timing control unit. The timing control unit comprises first means for introducing a control mode at every predetermined control cycle; second means for maintaining a standby, in the control mode, until a predetermined time elapses after a shift of the device to a normal driving state; third means for activating the electric power control unit if the device is in the normal driving state after that standby and for maintaining, if the device is in the low power consumption state after that standby, another standby until the device gets into the operating state, and then activating the electric power control unit after another predetermined time elapses; communication means for performing a data communication with the exterior; remote control means for performing the control based on a control data received from the exterior; and data transmission means for transmitting the operation status to the exterior.

Description

Specification

Power control device

Technical field

The present invention relates to a power control device for reducing power consumption of a power device such as a refrigerator and an air conditioner.

Background art

For example, power devices such as refrigerators and air conditioners use a large amount of power from a built-in compressor, and so demand to reduce contract power consumption and power consumption is called demand. Controls may be employed.

In conventional demand control, the compressor operation is compulsorily stopped for a preset period of time at fixed time intervals, regardless of the operating conditions of the air conditioner and the temperature of the room to be air-conditioned, for a fixed period of time. The simple control method of shifting the equipment to a low power state was adopted.

However, in such a control method, the timing at which the compressor is forcibly stopped by the demand control sometimes coincides with the timing at which the device itself is in the air blowing state by the temperature control mechanism. In some cases, the effect of power saving cannot be expected.

In addition, the refrigerator air conditioner repeatedly restarts and self-stops due to the temperature control mechanism of the equipment itself (see Fig. 4). However, the intended environment such as freezing, cooling, and heating cannot be smoothly reached. Still, if the engine is started and stopped unilaterally by the schedule control, the distance of the refrigerant pipe, the oil return time, the temperature environment of the refrigerator, and the pressure environment will be ignored, and the life of the equipment will be significantly shortened. It has become.

Furthermore, the compressor operation may be stopped immediately before the restart timing. In such a case, the compressor operation will be stopped for a long time, and the refrigerator and the air conditioner will be stopped. The device mounted on the device determines that the device is abnormal, and the device itself stops operating. There is also a risk of getting

In addition, when multiple devices are installed in one room, there is a risk that many devices may be blown at the same time regardless of the temperature at which the compressor should be operating. Yes, this causes a problem that the room temperature changes rapidly.

In addition, since the operating conditions of the temperature control mechanism and the like of the refrigerator and air conditioner were changed by directly operating the operation switches on the operation panel, the operations were performed at remote locations remote from the operation panel. The present invention, in which operations such as changes could not be performed, was made in view of the above-described problems, and has as little influence as possible on the temperature control mechanism of a refrigerator or an air conditioner. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power control device that can achieve predetermined power saving and that can easily perform remote monitoring and the like.

Disclosure of the invention

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an operation monitoring unit that monitors an operation state of a power device to be controlled, and forcibly changing an operation state of the power device from a normal operation state to a low power consumption operation state. A power control device for reducing power consumption of the power device, comprising: a power control unit to be shifted; and a timing control unit to control operation timing of the power control unit, wherein the timing control unit A first means for entering a control mode at every predetermined control cycle; and a second means for waiting in the control mode until a predetermined time elapses after the power device shifts from the low power consumption operation state to the normal operation state. Means for operating the power control unit if the power device is in a normal operation state, and waiting for the power device to be in an operation state if the power device is in a low power consumption state, and A third means for operating the power control unit after a lapse of a predetermined time, and performing power control, and a communication means for performing data communication with the outside, based on control data received from the outside via the communication means. A remote control means for controlling the operation of the operation monitoring unit, the power control unit, and the timing control unit; and the operation monitoring unit, the power control unit, and the timing control. And data transmission means for transmitting the operation status of the unit to the outside via the communication means, and configured to perform remote monitoring.

The communication means is a wireless communication means.

Simultaneous transition prevention means is provided to prevent multiple power devices from simultaneously transitioning from the low power consumption operation state to the normal operation down state.

Simultaneous transition prevention means prevents simultaneous transition from the low power consumption operation state to the normal operation state, and prevents multiple power devices from transitioning from the normal operation state to the low power consumption operation state at the same time. Function to perform

In addition, the timing control unit includes a schedule operation unit that shifts to the low power consumption operation state at a preset day of the week or at a set time on the date.

Further, the timing control unit is configured to change the control cycle of the first means according to a preset annual schedule.

According to the present invention, the apparatus waits until a certain time (N minutes) elapses after the corresponding device shifts to the operating state, and then, if the corresponding device is in the operating state, activates the cutoff unit. At this time, the cut-off unit may be operated uniformly, or the cut-off unit may be operated on condition that N minutes have passed and M minutes have passed since the relevant device shifted to the operating state. You may do it. Regardless of whether the relevant device is operating when entering the control mode, wait until the relevant device is restarted again, and then operate the shut-off unit after N minutes have elapsed since the restart. good.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows the connection between the power control device and the target equipment for demand control.

FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the power control device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the power control device with a case opened.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a temperature control mechanism such as a refrigerator.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the demand control of the embodiment. You.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the demand control of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen of a personal computer connected to the power control device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples.

FIG. 1 illustrates a connection relationship between a power control device 1 according to an embodiment and a power device 2 demand-controlled by the power control device 1.

Although the power device 2 to be controlled is not particularly limited, it is typically a refrigerator air conditioner, and FIG. 1 shows a 200 V three-phase AC voltage R, S, T A motor MC of the compressor that is operated in response to this, and a relay Re for forcibly stopping the operation of the motor MC are illustrated.

The configuration of the power control device 1 is as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 .The power supply unit 3 receives AC 1 OOV (still 2 Q0 V) and converts it to DC voltage, and grasps the operating state of the compressor. A state monitoring unit 4, an operation display unit 5 for displaying the operation state of the compressor, a setting switch 6 for setting whether or not to operate the power control device 1, and whether or not the power control device 1 is in the control mode. A status display section 7 that indicates whether or not the control mode is set, and a compressor control section 1 that controls the compressor motor MC 〇N / 〇FF by controlling a relay Re built into the power device 2 to be controlled 1 0, a central processing unit 11 for controlling the operation of the entire device, a communication unit 12 for performing data communication with the outside, and a non-volatile memory for storing management data. A few megabits of flash It has 15 memories.

The central processing unit 11 sets a non-control mode for a few minutes after the compressor restarts, but sets a duration for maintaining the non-control mode, a protection time setting procedure, and control of the demand control. And a control rate setting procedure for setting the rate. The central control unit 11 is equipped with a general-purpose personal computer equipped with a graphical user interface such as Microsoft Windows 98 or other window system.The S and control application programs are installed. Various necessary interface circuits are provided. These OS and software may be installed on a semiconductor memory without moving parts, instead of a magnetic disk such as an eighteen disk.

The communication unit 12 performs various data communication with a remote monitoring device (not shown) using a wired or wireless communication line, and performs data communication with a maintenance personal computer together with a data communication function. The communication port 12a of the RS485 standard or the like is provided in order to perform this.

For example, data for 12 months or more can be stored in the flash memory 15 and can be retrieved in a spreadsheet data format as needed.

The connector of the communication port 12 a is preferably arranged on the panel surface of the power control device 1.

Through this communication port 12a, various setting values are taken in from a personal computer for maintenance prepared separately, and a management record is output to the personal computer for maintenance.

The personal computer for maintenance includes setting software and management data collecting software. In order to prevent various setting values from being changed due to an operation error, the two softwares are separated. When the management data collection software is started up by connecting a personal computer for maintenance, the operation status of each device can be monitored in real time. By using the function of the communication unit 12, when remote monitoring is performed via a dedicated line or the Internet, it is possible to make a transition without a significant design change.

The state monitoring unit 4 is, specifically, a current detector Se for detecting a current value of the three-phase alternating current supplied to the motor MC. For example, a CT sensor is used. Have been. Further, in order to enable detection of the state of the compressor according to the state of the power supply, a voltage detector 41 for detecting whether or not a voltage of 20 OV is applied is also provided. In this way, the central processing unit 11 determines whether the compressor is operating based on the detected current value and voltage value.

The operation display section 5 is, as shown in the front view of the power control device 1 (FIG. 3: the case in which the case is opened) is specifically an LED lamp, and is provided when the compressor to be controlled is in an operating state. The LED lamp is lit in green, and the LED lamp goes off when stopped. Or, it can be displayed on the screen of the connected personal computer.

The setting switch 6 is set to the ON side when the power control device 1 is used, and to the OFF side when not used.

The status display unit 7 for displaying the operating state of the power control device 1 is a green LED lamp, and may be provided at a position where the power control device 1 can be viewed even when the case of the power control device 1 is closed. Then, when the operation state of the power control device 1 is the control mode, the power is continuously turned on, and when the operation state is the non-control mode, the light is turned off.

Note that these display units may be realized by a liquid crystal display panel or the like.

The procedure for setting the protection time is as follows: : It is implemented in the range of minutes to two minutes by operating the keyboard of the connected PC based on the settings of the program. The duration of the control state is set.

The control rate setting procedure is also implemented in software by the control program of the central control unit 11, and the control rate is controlled by operating a key port of a connected personal computer based on the setting of the program. From 〇%

It can be set in 1% steps between 50%.

The 10% control is a control to stop the compressor for 10% of the time if a predetermined condition (described later) is satisfied, and the control is performed once every 30 minutes. In the normal case of entering the control mode with, the power saving mode is 10/3%, that is, 3 minutes.

The compressor control unit 10 has non-voltage contacts (a and b contacts) for controlling the compressor. These contacts are output type that outputs one-shot for 2 seconds at a set time, There are two types, an output type that holds the output during the control time (variable depending on the control rate), and a type that can be switched by software. Further, the non-voltage contact can be controlled by an external command or the like input via the communication section 12. Therefore, it becomes possible to link with external equipment, and advanced energy management becomes possible. In such a case, a centralized management of various power devices becomes possible with a world-standard control protocol.

In addition, in response to the occurrence of an abnormality or a temporary increase in the load, it is possible to continue the non-control state by a manual switch or a command from outside.

Still, the procedure for setting the number of times of control is realized by software in the control program of the central control unit 11, and it is necessary to operate the keyboard or the like of the connected personal computer based on the setting of the program. The control frequency is switched by the control mode. In normal cases, the control mode is entered once every 30 minutes. On the other hand, if the control mode is set to enter the control mode twice in 30 minutes, if the control rate setting section 9 is set to the position of Ζ Ο ^ »in this state, once in 15 minutes It enters control mode and stops the compressor for only three minutes.

The period that can be set can be selected from four times of 30 minutes / 1 hour / 1 word / 1 week. If no period is set, control and non-control are continued. If 30 minutes Z 1 hour is set, it will start from the next time limit, and 1 says / "If 1 week is set, it will start uncontrolled from 10:00 of the next day. Also, the data recording function is effective.

The protection time for suppressing the stoppage of the compressor is controlled by operating the input means such as the keyboard of the connected personal computer. By changing the setting of the software protection time setting procedure, it can be set from 0 to 20 minutes in 1-minute units. After starting the compressor, do not stop the compressor during this protection time to protect the compressor.

The control time for starting the control of each compressor is set to 0 minutes by changing the setting of the control start time setting procedure of the software of the central processing unit 11 by operating the input means such as the keyboard of the connected PC. It can be set in units of 1 minute between ~ 29 minutes. The control time is set to the time at which control is started, with 30 minutes as one time period. When controlling multiple air conditioners (built-in compressors) simultaneously, multiple compressors are used. In order to prevent starting and stopping at the same time, the control start time of each compressor is shifted and set.

When the number of controls is set to two, the second control time is 15 minutes after or 15 minutes before the set control time.

The non-control time during which the compressor is not controlled can be set in units of one minute from 0 minutes to 30 minutes by operating input means such as a keyboard. The non-control time is the time during which control is not performed until the temperature is adjusted when the target device has been stopped for the stop recognition time or longer. The stop recognition time can be set in 1 minute units from 15 minutes to 300 minutes.

With the schedule setting function, the on / off time of each compressor can be set up to twice for each day of the week by operating input means such as a keyboard.

In addition, the scheduled operation means can make a transition to the low power consumption operation state (including stoppage) at a preset time, or at a set time according to the date, so that, for example, Monday to Friday Until now, during the lunch break and after work until the start of the next morning, the power equipment is forcibly put into the low power consumption operation state (including the stoppage), and on Saturday and Sunday, the low power consumption operation state is used all day. However, during certain periods such as the year-end and New Year holidays, it is possible to put the system in low power consumption operation. In addition, by changing the control cycle of the first means according to a preset annual schedule, the control rate can be changed according to the annual schedule. For example, if you want to save more energy in midsummer and midwinter, when the load is heavy, or conversely, you want to lower the energy saving rate in consideration of the impact on indoor and indoor environments.甩 Used application · The control rate on a monthly basis from January to December can be set according to the purpose, for example, as follows.

Control rate setting example>

January-February control rate 20%, March-June control rate 15%, July control rate 20%, August control rate 25%, September control rate 20%, October ~ 1 Control rate in January 15%, Control rate in February 20% »

The figure shows an example of a setting screen of a personal computer connected to this power control device. It shows a button 1 for setting whether or not to control, a data input window 72 for setting the control rate, and a control count. Button 7 3 for setting, data input window 7 4 for setting the protection time, data input window 75 for setting the control time, button 76 for setting the output signal of the relay contact, and compressor operation schedule A display window 7 for displaying is set.

Next, the recorded contents of the management data will be described.

The management data to be recorded includes the following data.

1) Demand value: demand value every 30 minutes

2) Electric energy: Electric energy every 30 minutes

3) Number of controls: 1 Number of stops due to control

4) Stop time: 1 Stop time by control

5) Savings: 1 Savings in power consumption by control

In addition, supplementing the description of the terminal block 14 in Fig. 3, the input terminals R and T of the AC voltage, the output terminal R out to the relay Re, and the input terminal S from the current detector and the voltage detector are shown. In is connected to wiring from outside, respectively.

Subsequently, the power control device 1 having the above configuration controls the air conditioner on demand. The operation will be described in the case where the When the power control device 1 is in the non-operation state (setting switch 6 is OFF), the operation of the compressor is controlled based on the temperature control mechanism of the air conditioner itself, as shown in FIG. The compressor repeats self-stop and restart.

With reference to FIG. 5, a description will be given from the time when the power of the power control device 1 is turned on.

For the first time after the power is turned on, when the time limit is 1 minute or 3 minutes per hour, the variable T for the timer is reset to zero (ST3), and the power control device 1 enters the control mode (ST4). . As shown in FIG. 6, in the control mode, first, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (protection time) has elapsed since the restart of the compressor (ST10). Here, the protection time to be elapsed from the restart is a value set by the feedback time setting unit 8, and is typically 3 minutes. Therefore, typically, in the process of ST10, it is determined whether or not 3 minutes or more have elapsed since the restart of the compressor, and if not, it is necessary to wait for 3 minutes from the restart. Become.

Since such a process (ST 1ST) is provided, the compressor is stopped immediately after the restart, and therefore, the room temperature is prevented from greatly deviating from the control temperature. The restart timing of the compressor can be known from the output change of the current detector Se or the voltage detector 41.

If it is confirmed that the protection time has passed 3 minutes or more since the restart of the compressor, then it is determined whether or not the compressor is operating based on the output of the current detector Se (ST1). 1). Then, if the compressor is operating, the relay contact is set to ENPEN for the time (30 minutes X control rate 100) determined according to the control rate set by the control rate setting unit 9, and the compressor is forced. (ST12). The compressor is stopped for 3 minutes at 10% control and 4.5 minutes at 15% control, and the air is blown, and then the relay contact is returned to the 〇N state.

That is, the relay contact is set to 〇PEN only when the time until the next set time is longer than the protection time + (30 minutes × control rate 100). In addition, If the number of controls is two, the protection time + (30 minutes X control rate / 100 ÷ 2).

If the compressor is in the non-operation state (self-stop state) as a result of the determination in step ST11, wait for the compressor to restart, and after a further 3 minutes have passed since restarting, keep it constant. The relay contact is set to OPEN for the time T to forcibly stop the compressor (ST12).

In the process of step ST11 described above, only "whether N minutes or more have elapsed since the restart of the compressor" is determined, but "is it after N minutes and before M minutes?" May be determined, and if M minutes or more have elapsed, the process may proceed to step ST12. With such processing, the compressor can be forcibly stopped immediately before the self-stop, and the power saving state can be reliably maintained for the above-mentioned predetermined time T. Also, regardless of whether or not the compressor is operating when entering the control mode, it is also possible to wait until the compressor is restarted again and open the relay contact N minutes after the restart. .

When the operation of the control mode is completed as described above, the relay contact is set to the 〇N state and the mode is shifted to the non-control mode (ST5). The determination is made based on the comparison between the calendar timer and the set time, and the next control time can be reached. If so, the process returns to ST3 (ST6). When the control count is set to two, it is determined in the process of ST6 whether or not 15 minutes have elapsed.

If an abnormality occurs in the timer function, control is not performed and the abnormality indicator stops flashing, so that it can be notified externally.

In FIG. 2, the remote control means described in the claims is realized by the central processing unit 11 and the compressor control unit 10, and the central control unit 11 and the compressor operation state monitoring unit 4 claim. The data transmission means described in the range described above is realized.

Note that, in this embodiment, an example of three-phase 200 V has been described, but the present invention can be similarly implemented with a single-phase or 100-volt.

Industrial applicability As described above, according to the present invention, predetermined power saving can be realized without significantly affecting the temperature control mechanism of the refrigerator and the air conditioner, and the remote control can be performed via the communication line. It will also be possible to monitor.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. An operation monitoring unit that monitors an operation state of a power device to be controlled, a power control unit that forcibly shifts an operation state of the power device from a normal operation state to a low power consumption operation state, and the power control. A power control device for reducing the power consumption of the power device, comprising: a timing control unit configured to control operation timing of the unit.

The timing control unit includes: first means for entering a control mode at every predetermined control cycle; and in the control mode, a certain time elapses after the power device shifts from a low power consumption operation state to a normal operation state. Second means for waiting until the power device is in a normal operation state, and then operating the power control unit.If the power device is in a low power consumption state, the power device waits until the power device is in an operation state.

Further, a third means for operating the power control unit after the lapse of the predetermined time, comprising:

Communication means for performing data communication with the outside;

A remote control unit that controls the operations of the operation monitoring unit, the power control unit, and the timing control unit based on control data received from the outside via the communication unit;

A data transmission unit for transmitting the operation status of the operation monitoring unit, the power control unit, and the timing control unit to the outside via the communication unit;

Characterized in that it is configured to perform remote monitoring by providing a power control device.

2. The power control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication means is a wireless communication means.

3. The power control device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of power devices are provided with a simultaneous transition prevention means for preventing a transition from a low power consumption operation state to a normal operation state at the same time. .

4. The simultaneous shift prevention means has a function of preventing simultaneous shift from the low power consumption operation state to the normal operation state, A function to prevent multiple power devices from simultaneously switching from the normal operation state to the low power consumption operation state.

The power control device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

5. The timing control unit includes a schedule operation unit that shifts to the low power consumption operation state at a preset day of the week or a set date and time at any time. The power control device according to the item.

6. The power supply according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the timing control unit is configured to change a control cycle in the first means according to a preset annual schedule. Control device.