JP3290644B2 - Power control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power control device for reducing power consumption of power equipment such as a refrigerator and an air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, power devices such as refrigerators and air conditioners use a large amount of electric power in a built-in compressor (compressor). Demand control may be employed. With traditional demand control,
The compressor operation is forcibly stopped for a preset time at fixed intervals, and the equipment is set to the low power state for a fixed time regardless of the operating state of the air conditioner and the temperature of the room to be air-conditioned. The simple control method of shifting was adopted.

[0003]

However, in such a control method, the timing at which the compressor is forcibly stopped by the demand control coincides with the timing at which the equipment itself is in the air blowing state by the temperature control mechanism. In some cases, power saving effects could not be expected. In addition, refrigerators and air conditioners
Restarting and self-stopping are repeated by the temperature control mechanism of the device itself (see FIG. 4), but if the compressor is forcibly stopped without time after restarting, the desired refrigeration, cooling, heating Environment cannot be reached smoothly. In addition, if the engine is started and stopped unilaterally by schedule control, the distance of the refrigerant pipe, the oil return time, the temperature environment and pressure environment of the refrigerator, etc. will be ignored, and the life of the equipment will be significantly shortened. became.

[0004] Further, the compressor may be stopped immediately before the restart timing. In such a case, the operation of the compressor is stopped for a long time, and the refrigerator or the refrigerator is stopped. There is also a risk that the microcomputer itself mounted on the air conditioner may determine that the device is abnormal and stop the operation of the device itself. Also, when multiple devices are installed in one room,
In spite of the temperature at which the compressor should be operating, there is also a risk that many devices will be in a blown state at the same time, which causes a problem that the temperature in the room changes rapidly. In addition, since operating conditions such as a temperature control mechanism of a refrigerator or an air conditioner were changed by directly operating an operation switch or the like on an operation panel, an operation such as a change was performed.
Operations such as changes could not be performed at a remote location away from the operation panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above 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 perform remote monitoring and the like easily.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an operation monitoring unit for monitoring an operation state of a power device to be controlled including a compressor, and an operation state of the power device. A power control unit for forcibly shifting from a normal operation state to a low power consumption operation state, and a timing control unit for controlling an operation timing of the power control unit, for reducing power consumption of the power device. In the power control device, the timing control unit includes a first unit that enters a control mode at predetermined control cycles, and the power device shifts from a low power consumption operation state to a normal operation state in the control mode. And a second unit that waits until a predetermined time has elapsed since then, if the power device is in a normal operation state, operates the power control unit, and if the power device is in a low power consumption state, After waiting for the power device to enter the operating state, further comprising a third means for operating the power control unit after the elapse of the certain time, and performing power control, communication means for performing data communication with the outside, Remote control means for controlling the operation of the operation monitoring unit, the power control unit, and the timing control unit based on control data received from outside via the communication unit; and the operation monitoring unit, the power control unit, and the timing control. the operating status of parts and a data transmission means for transmitting to the outside via the communication means, the communication hand
On an external computer connected via a stage,
Monitoring the operating status of each device, including power savings, etc.
Management data can be displayed on the screen.
Includes control of non-voltage contacts that control the presser and control rate
Various setting values can be imported and the control rate can be set.
It is configured to perform remote control .

In the invention according to claim 2, the communication means is a wireless communication means.

[0008] The invention according to claim 3 is provided with simultaneous shift prevention means for preventing a plurality of power devices from simultaneously shifting from the low power consumption operation state to the normal operation state.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, the simultaneous shift preventing means has a function of preventing a shift from the low power consumption operation state to the normal operation state at the same time, and a plurality of power devices are simultaneously switched from the normal operation state to the normal operation state. A function of preventing a transition to a low power consumption operation state.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the timing control section includes a schedule operation means for shifting to a low power consumption operation state at a preset day of the week or at a preset time of year, month and day. In a sixth aspect, 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 predetermined time (N minutes) has elapsed after the corresponding apparatus has shifted to the operating state, and then, if the corresponding apparatus is in the operating state, operates the cutoff unit. At this time, the cut-off unit may be operated uniformly, or the cut-off unit may be operated on the condition that N minutes have elapsed and M minutes have not elapsed since the relevant device transitioned to the operating state. May be. Regardless of whether or not the corresponding device is in the operating state when entering the control mode, the device may wait until the corresponding device is restarted again, and may operate the blocking unit after N minutes have elapsed since the restart. .

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates a connection relationship between a power control device 1 according to an embodiment and a power device 2 that is demand-controlled by the power control device 1. The power device 2 to be controlled is not particularly limited, but is typically a refrigerator or an air conditioner.
2 shows a motor MC of a compressor which is operated in response to three-phase AC voltages R, S, T of 200 V, and a relay Re for forcibly stopping the operation of the motor MC.

The configuration of the power control device 1 is as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, and is 100 V AC (or 200 V).
The power supply unit 3 receives and converts the DC voltage into a DC voltage, the state monitoring unit 4 grasps the operation state of the compressor, the operation display unit 5 displays the operation state of the compressor, and determines whether to operate the power control device 1. By controlling a setting switch 6 to be set, a status display section 7 for displaying whether the power control device 1 is in a control mode or a non-control mode, and a relay Re built in the power device 2 to be controlled. A compressor control unit 10 for controlling ON / OFF of a motor MC of the compressor; a central processing unit 11 for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus; a communication unit 12 for performing data communication with the outside; Is provided with a flash memory 15 of, for example, several megabits. The central processing unit 11 always sets the non-control mode for a few minutes after the restart of the compressor, but sets a protection time setting procedure for setting a duration for maintaining the non-control mode and a control rate for demand control. And a control rate setting procedure.

The central control unit 11 has a general-purpose personal computer installed with an OS having a graphical user interface such as Microsoft Windows 98 or another window system and a control application program, and has various necessary interface circuits. ing. These OSs and software may be installed in a semiconductor memory having no moving parts, instead of a magnetic disk such as a hard disk. The communication unit 12 has a data communication function of performing 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. Is provided with a communication port 12a conforming to the RS-485 standard or the like. The flash memory 15 can store, for example, 12 months or more of data, and can retrieve the data in a spreadsheet software data format as needed. The connector of the communication port 12a is preferably arranged on a panel surface of the power control device 1. This communication port 1
Various setting values are taken in from a separately prepared personal computer for maintenance, and a management record is output to the personal computer for maintenance via 2a. The personal computer for maintenance includes software for setting and software for collecting management data. In order to prevent various setting values from being changed due to an operation error, the two softwares are separate. When the management data collection software is started by connecting a maintenance personal computer, the operation state of each device can be monitored in real time. By utilizing the function of the communication unit 12, it is possible to shift to a case where remote monitoring or the like is performed via a dedicated line or the Internet without any significant design change.

The state monitoring unit 4 specifically includes a motor M
A current detector Se for detecting a current value of three-phase alternating current supplied to C, for example, a CT sensor is used. Further, a voltage detector 41 for detecting whether or not a voltage of 200 V is applied is provided to enable the state of the compressor to be detected based on the state of the power supply. In this way, the central processing unit 11 determines whether the compressor is operating based on the detected current value and voltage value. As shown in the front view of the power control device 1 (FIG. 3: a state in which the case is opened), the operation display unit 5 is specifically L.
The LED lamp is ED lamp, and when the compressor to be controlled is operating, the LED lamp is lit green, and when stopped, the LED lamp is turned off. Alternatively, it can be displayed on the screen of a connected personal computer. The setting switch 6 is turned on when the power control device 1 is used, and turned off when not used.
Side. The status display unit 7 that displays the operation 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. And the power control device 1
Is turned on continuously when the operation state of the control mode is the control mode, and turned off when the operation state is the non-control mode. Note that these display units may be realized by a liquid crystal display panel or the like.

The protection time setting procedure is performed by the central control unit 1
1 is realized as software by a control program, and by operating a keyboard or the like of a connected personal computer based on the setting of the program, 0 minutes to 20 minutes
Within the range of the quantiles, the duration of the uncontrolled state after restarting the compressor is set. The control rate setting procedure is also realized in software by the control program of the central control unit 11, and the control rate is controlled from 0% to 50 by operating a keyboard or the like of a connected personal computer based on the setting of the program. % Can be set in 1% units. The 10% control is a control for stopping the compressor for 10% of time if a predetermined condition (described later) is satisfied. In a normal case of entering the control mode once every 30 minutes, , 3
10% of 0%, that is, 3 minutes is the power saving mode.

The compressor control unit 10 has non-voltage contacts (a and b contacts) for controlling the compressor. These contacts are of an output type for performing a one-shot output of, for example, 2 seconds at a set time, and a set time. There are two types: output type for holding the output during the period from to control time (variable by the control rate), and can be switched by software. Further, the non-voltage contact can be controlled by an external command or the like input via the communication unit 12. Therefore, interlocking with external devices becomes possible, and advanced energy management becomes possible. In that case, a centralized management of various power devices becomes possible by providing a world standard control protocol. Further, in response to occurrence of an abnormality or occurrence of a temporary increase in load, the non-control state can be continued by a manual switch or an external command.

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 is controlled by operating a keyboard or the like of a connected personal computer based on the setting of the program. The number of times is configured to be switched, and in a normal case, 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 every 30 minutes, and if the control rate setting unit 9 is set to the position of 20% in this state, the control mode is entered once every 15 minutes. Then, the compressor is stopped for only three minutes.

The period that can be set is 30 minutes / 1 hour /
It is possible to select from four times a day / one week. If no period is set, control / non-control is continued. In addition, 30 minutes /
If one hour is set, the process starts from the next time limit. If one day / week is set, the process starts without control from 0:00 of the next day. However, the data recording function is effective even during non-control.

The protection time for suppressing the stoppage of the compressor can be set from 0 minutes to 0 minutes by changing the setting of the protection time setting procedure of the software of the central processing unit 11 by operating input means such as a keyboard of a connected personal computer. 2
It can be set in units of one minute between 0 minutes. After the compressor is started, the compressor is not stopped during the protection time to protect the compressor. The control time for starting the control of each compressor is determined by operating input means such as a keyboard of a connected personal computer.
By changing the setting of the control start time setting procedure of the software of the central processing unit 11, it is possible to set the time from 0 minute to 29 minutes in units of one minute. The control time is for setting the time at which control is started, with 30 minutes as one time period. When controlling a plurality of air conditioners (built-in compressors) simultaneously, a plurality of compressors are started simultaneously. In order to prevent the starting and stopping of the compressors, the control start times of the respective compressors are shifted and set. When the number of times of control 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 controlled by operating input means such as a keyboard.
It can be set in units of one minute between 0 minutes and 300 minutes. The non-control time is a time during which the control is not performed until the temperature adjustment is completed when the target device has been stopped for the stop recognition time or longer.
The stop recognition time can be set in units of one minute between 15 minutes and 300 minutes. In 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.

Further, by the schedule operation means,
It is possible to shift to a low power consumption operation state (including stoppage) at a preset day of the week or at a set time of the year, month, and day. The power equipment is forced to be in the low power consumption operation state (including stoppage) during the time period up to, and the low power consumption operation state is used all day on Saturday and Sunday, or the low power consumption operation is performed all day during a specific period such as the year-end and New Year holidays State. In addition, by changing the control cycle in the first means according to a preset annual schedule, the control rate can be changed according to the annual schedule. For example, it is used when there is a need to save more energy in the midsummer or midwinter when there is a heavy load, or when it is desired to lower the energy saving rate in consideration of the impact on the indoor / indoor environment. 1 according to purpose
The control rate on a monthly basis from month to December can be set, for example, as follows. <Setting example of control rate> Control rate of 20% from January to February, March to 6
Monthly control rate 15%, July control rate 20%, August control rate 2
5%, September control rate 20%, October-November control rate 15%,
20% control rate in December

FIG. 7 shows an example of a setting screen of a personal computer connected to the power control apparatus. A button 71 for setting whether or not to perform control and a data input window 72 for setting a control rate are shown.
A button 73 for setting the number of times of control, a data input window 74 for setting the protection time, a data input window 75 for setting the control time, and a button 7 for setting the output signal of the relay contact.
6 and a display window 77 for displaying the compressor operation schedule.

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 times of control: Number of stops by control of one day 4) Stop time: Time of stop by control of one day 5) Saving : Saving of power consumption by daily control

It should be noted that the description of the terminal block 14 in FIG. 3 is supplemented. The input terminals R and T of the AC voltage, the output terminal Rout to the relay Re, and the input terminals Sin from the current detector and the voltage detector are provided. , Are connected to external wiring.

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

Referring to FIG. 5, a description will be given from the time of turning on the power of the power control apparatus 1. For the first time after the power is turned on, when the time limit becomes 0 minutes or 30 minutes every hour, the variable T for the timer is reset to zero (ST3), and then 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 (S).
T10). Here, the protection time that should elapse from the restart is
The value is set by the feedback time setting unit 8, and is typically 3 minutes. Thus, typically, S
In the process of T10, it is determined whether three minutes or more have elapsed since the restart of the compressor, and if not, the process waits for three minutes from the restart. Since such a process (ST1O) is provided, the compressor is stopped even immediately after the restart, so that 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.

When it is confirmed that three minutes or more of the protection time has elapsed since the restart of the compressor, it is next determined whether or not the compressor is operating based on the output of the current detector Se (see FIG. 4). ST11). If the compressor is in the operating state, the time determined according to the control rate set by the control rate setting unit 9 (30 minutes × control rate / 1)
00), the relay contact is opened, and the compressor is forcibly stopped (ST12). The compressor is stopped for 3 minutes at the time of 10% control and 4.5 minutes at the time of 15% control, and the air is blown, and then the relay contact is returned to the ON state. That is, the relay contact is opened only when the time until the next set time is longer than the protection time + (30 minutes × control rate / 100). When the number of times of control is two, the protection time + (30 minutes × control rate / 100/2).

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step ST11 is that the compressor is in a non-operating state (self-stop state), it waits for the compressor to be restarted, and after a further three minutes have passed since the restart, a fixed Turn relay contact ON for time T
PEN and forcibly stop the compressor (ST
12). In the process of step ST11 described above,
Although it is determined only "whether N minutes or more have elapsed since the restart of the compressor", it is determined whether "after N minutes has elapsed and before M minutes have elapsed". If there is, 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 achieved for the above-mentioned fixed time T. Also, regardless of whether or not the compressor is operating when entering the control mode, wait for the compressor to be restarted again, and after N minutes from the restart, open the relay contact.
It may be EN.

When the operation of the control mode is completed as described above, the relay contact is turned on to shift to the non-control mode (ST5), and a determination is made based on a comparison between the calendar timer and the set time. If it is, 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. When an abnormality occurs in the timer function, the control is not performed and the abnormality indicator does not blink, so that the abnormality can be notified to the outside.

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 remote control means is realized by the central processing unit 11 and the compressor operation state monitoring unit 4. Has been realized. Note that, in this embodiment, an example of three-phase 200 V has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly implemented with a single-phase or 100 volt.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An external computer connected via communication means while achieving a predetermined power saving without significantly affecting the temperature control mechanism of the refrigerator or the air conditioner.
Monitoring the operating status of each device and saving power consumption
Management data such as weight loss can be displayed on the screen.
In addition, control of the non-voltage contact for controlling the compressor,
Import various setting values including the control rate and set the control rate
As possible, effective remote control can be performed.
is there.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 illustrates a connection relationship between a power control device and a target device to be subjected to 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 demand control according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating demand control according to the embodiment.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

 MC Applicable device to be forcibly shut down Se Operation monitoring unit (current detector) Re Interruption unit (relay) 12 Communication means

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-3-195335 (JP, A) JP-A-11-287496 (JP, A) JP-A-11-231977 (JP, A) JP-A-7-83489 (JP, A) JP-A-2001-186658 (JP, A) Patent 3037939 (JP, B2) Patent 3037950 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H02J 3/00-5 / 00 H02J 13/00-13/00 311 F24F 11/02 G05F 1/66

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] An operation monitoring unit that monitors an operation state of a power device to be controlled including a compressor; and a power control unit that forcibly changes 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 the power consumption of the power device, comprising: a timing control unit that controls an operation timing of the power control unit, wherein the timing control unit performs control every predetermined control cycle. First means for entering the mode, and in the control mode, second means for waiting until a predetermined time has elapsed after the power equipment has shifted from the low power consumption operation state to the normal operation state, and If it is in the normal operation state, it operates the power control unit, and if it is in the low power consumption state, it waits for the power equipment to be in the operation state, And a third means for operating the power control unit. The communication means for performing power control and performing data communication with the outside, and the operation monitoring based on control data received from the outside via the communication means. Remote control means for controlling the operation of the control section, the power control section, and the timing control section; and data transmission means for transmitting the operation status of the operation monitoring section, the power control section, and the timing control section to the outside via the communication means. And an external computer connected via the communication means.
Such as monitoring the operating status of each device, including reducing power consumption, etc.
Control data can be displayed on the screen , control of the non-voltage contact that controls the compressor, and control
Various setting values including rate can be imported and control rate can be set.
A power control device configured to perform remote control . 2. The power control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication means is a wireless communication means. 3. The power supply according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of power devices are provided with simultaneous transition prevention means for preventing a transition from a low power consumption operation state to a normal operation state at the same time. Control device. 4. A simultaneous transition preventing means for preventing a simultaneous transition from a low power consumption operation state to a normal operation state, and a plurality of power devices simultaneously transitioning from a normal operation state to a low power consumption operation state. The power control device according to claim 1, further comprising a function of preventing the power control. 5. A schedule control means for shifting to a low power consumption operation state at a preset time of day or date set in advance. The power control device according to claim 1. 6. The timing control unit according to claim 1, wherein the timing control unit is configured to change a control cycle of the first means according to a preset annual schedule. Power control device.