JP7219320B2 - housing - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to housing.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, techniques for detecting failures in equipment installed in houses have been known. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a failure diagnosis device that detects a problem leading to a stoppage of a gas water heater and creates warning information. Further, Patent Document 2 describes a gas water heater that detects failure of an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes a gas inflow passage.

JP-A-2001-235178 JP-A-9-42666

However, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 described above do not describe determining the degree of possibility of stoppage of equipment such as a gas water heater before it stops. For this reason, it may be difficult for the user to decide whether to immediately respond to the malfunction of the equipment. In addition, even if the user recognizes that the equipment has a problem, it may cause inconvenience because he or she does not know how to deal with the problem.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention, which has been made in view of this point, is to provide a house that improves convenience by presenting users with information on equipment failure risks as well as information necessary for dealing with such failures.

A house as one aspect of the present invention is a house comprising equipment, a gateway device, and an input/output device, wherein the equipment includes a main body that operates using energy of electricity, gas, or water; a detection unit that detects an operation characteristic value that changes with the operation of the unit; a determination unit that determines a failure risk leading to a failure of the main unit based on the operation characteristic value; and failure information including the failure risk. and a facility communication unit that transmits to a facility management server that manages the facility via the gateway device, and the determination unit selects a design value from among the plurality of operating characteristic values detected within a predetermined period. The higher the ratio of the difference is greater than or equal to the reference value, the higher the failure risk is determined, and the input/output device is based on information that enables application for maintenance of the equipment and the failure information. It is characterized by receiving failure display information including a predicted failure prediction time and a probability that the equipment will fail by the failure prediction time from the equipment management server, and outputting the failure display information.

A house as one aspect of the present invention is a house comprising equipment, a gateway device, and an input/output device, wherein the equipment includes a main body that operates using energy of electricity, gas, or water; and a facility communication section that transmits the operation characteristic value to the gateway device, wherein the gateway device receives the operation characteristic value from the facility communication section. Based on the operation characteristic value, information is transmitted to a facility management server including a determination unit that determines a failure risk leading to a failure of the main unit, and information that enables an application for maintenance of the facility from the facility management server; receiving failure indication information including a failure prediction time at which failure of the equipment is predicted and a probability that the equipment will fail by the failure prediction time , based on failure information including risk; It is determined that the higher the ratio of the difference from the design value to the reference value or more among the plurality of operating characteristic values detected within the operating characteristic value, the higher the failure risk, and the input/output device outputs the failure display information. characterized by

As one embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit determines that the failure risk is a first value, and if the ratio is less than the first ratio and is equal to or greater than a second ratio smaller than the first ratio, the failure risk is a second value lower than the first value and when the percentage is less than the second percentage, it is preferable to determine that the failure risk is a third value lower than the second value.

As one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the input/output device outputs the failure display information in a color corresponding to the failure risk.

As one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the information enabling application for maintenance is an operation button for applying for maintenance of the equipment.

As one embodiment of the present invention, when the input/output device is operated based on the information enabling the application for maintenance, the gateway device transmits information indicating the application for maintenance of the equipment to the equipment management server. Preferably send.

As one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the input/output device outputs a predetermined input form when an operation is performed based on the information enabling the maintenance application.

As one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the input/output device outputs information about a business operator who maintains the equipment when an operation is performed based on the information enabling the maintenance application.

As one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of facilities include at least a water heater and an air conditioner.

As one embodiment of the present invention, when the input/output device is operated based on the information enabling the maintenance application, dial-up is activated and the equipment maintenance business operator is called or is in a ready-to-call state. It is preferable to

As one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the facilities are provided, and the plurality of the facility communication units respectively possessed by the plurality of facilities transmit the failure information to the facility management server via one of the gateway devices. is preferred.

As one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the facility management server transmits information on maintenance to the input/output device upon receiving the information indicating the application for maintenance.

As one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the facility management server includes a server output unit, and the server output unit outputs information indicating the maintenance application upon receiving the information indicating the maintenance application.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a user can be shown the information required for correspondence with the information regarding the failure risk of equipment.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a facility management system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the input/output device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an input form output by the input/output device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the facility management system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the overall configuration of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a facility management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the facility management system 1 includes a residence 10 and a facility management server 20 managed by a service provider company. The facility management server 20 may be on the cloud through the Internet line. Also, the house 10 may be equipped with equipment corresponding to the equipment management server 20 . The service providing company is a company that directly or indirectly provides various services related to the house 10 , and may be the company that built the house 10 .

The house 10 includes a line concentrator 11, a gateway device 12, a distribution board 13, a distribution board measurement unit 14, a smart meter 15, a B route receivable device 16, one or more facilities 17, an input and an output device 18 . Also, the house 10 is equipped with a device having a router function inside the house 10 . An IP address is assigned to each of the concentrator 11, gateway device 12, distribution board measurement unit 14, B route receivable device 16, facility 17, and input/output device 18, and a LAN ( (Local Area Network). The house 10 may include equipment having a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) function that assigns IP (Internet Protocol) addresses to equipment connected to the LAN.

Concentrator 11 is a hub or wireless network base station. The concentrator 11 converges, for example, communication cables to which the equipment 17 is directly or indirectly connected for transmitting and receiving information. The concentrator 11 may be a wired hub. In an environment where the movement of information communication devices is limited to some extent, such as in a house 10, it is preferable to use a wired hub, which has the advantage of high communication stability, rather than a wireless hub, which has the advantage of mobility. Note that when the line concentrator 11 is a wired hub and communicates using a wired communication network, the communication network may be configured by Ethernet (registered trademark). In this case, at least part of the cables connected to the concentrator 11 may be routed inside the wall of the house 10 so as not to be visually recognized by the residents. As a result, it is possible to maintain the aesthetic appearance while maintaining the stability of communication. Also, the concentrator 11 may communicate via a wireless network such as WiFi (registered trademark) or Wi-SUN (registered trademark).

The gateway device 12 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), tablet, or smart phone. Also, the gateway device 12 may be a speaker terminal such as an AI (Artificial Intelligence) speaker, or a robot terminal. Also, the gateway device 12 may be included in a modem, an ONU (Optical Network Unit), a home gateway, or the like installed by a network operator.

The gateway device 12 communicates with the distribution board measurement unit 14 , the B route receivable device 16 , the facility 17 , and the input/output device 18 via the line concentrator 11 . The gateway device 12 transmits information received from the distribution board measurement unit 14, the B route receivable device 16, the facility 17, and the input/output device 18 to the facility management server 20 via a communication network such as the Internet. The gateway device 12 may store a house ID (Identification) for uniquely identifying the house 10 provided with the gateway device 12. In this case, the information transmitted and received by the gateway device 12 may include the house ID. good. The gateway device 12 also transmits the information received from the facility management server 20 to the distribution board measurement unit 14 , the B route receivable device 16 , the facility 17 and the input/output device 18 . The gateway device 12 may receive information from the facility management server 20 by a pull method or may receive information by a push method. Specifically, the gateway device 12 may be configured to implement NAT traversal (NAT traversal) so as to enable real-time communication with the facility management server 20 . Any of polling, Comet, and WebSocket may be used as a technique for realizing NAT traversal. However, if high real-time communication with the facility management server 20 is required, it is preferable to use either Comet or WebSocket.

Gateway device 12 may have a television tuner for receiving video and audio from television broadcasts. As a result, the house 10 does not need to be separately equipped with dedicated equipment for receiving video and audio from television broadcasts, and residents can view television broadcasts at a reduced cost. Similarly, gateway device 12 may have a radio tuner. Also, the gateway device 12 may be integrated with the distribution board 13 . Specifically, the gateway device 12 may be a high-performance distribution board having a simple home energy management system (HEMS) function. As a result, compared to the case where the house 10 is provided with the gateway device 12 and the distribution board 13 as separate bodies, power distribution and communication with the outside by each facility 17 installed in the house 10 are realized at a reduced cost. can be

Gateway device 12 may be a HEMS. In this case, the HEMS may store the usage status data indicating the usage status of the facility 17 transmitted from the facility 17 via the line concentrator 11 or cause the input/output device 18 to output the usage status data. The HEMS may also communicate with the distribution board measurement unit 14 and the B route receivable device 16 provided in the house 10 via the line concentrator 11 . In this case, the HEMS stores the B route power data transmitted from the B route receivable device 16 and the distribution board power data transmitted from the distribution board measurement unit 14, or causes the input/output device 18 to output the data. You may In addition, the HEMS may transmit the B route power data, the distribution board power data, and the usage data to the server of the service provider via an external communication line such as the Internet.

The HEMS has router functionality so that it can be a router for a LAN. Therefore, when a router is not included in a device or the like connected by a communication cable, the HEMS activates the router function and functions as a router (parent of LAN). Moreover, when a router is included in the equipment connected by a communication cable, the HEMS disables the router function and functions as a node (a child of the LAN).

The HEMS may also have a web server function and generate display information for causing the input/output device 18 to output various types of information. The HEMS may also provide the generated display information to, for example, another server on the cloud and a web server for display. Also, the HEMS may output various information received from another web server via the input/output device 18 . When the gateway device 12 is HEMS, the input/output device 18 may be a display terminal dedicated to HEMS. In addition, the HEMS includes a television broadcast receiving unit for receiving television broadcasts, a radio broadcast receiving unit for receiving radio broadcasts, and a recording unit for recording video and audio received from television and radio broadcasts. It may be output to the input/output device 18 . The HEMS may also include an earthquake early warning receiver that receives an earthquake early warning and an emergency weather warning receiver that receives an emergency weather warning.

The distribution board 13 receives main power supplied from an electric utility and distributes the received power to branch circuits. Each branch circuit is connected to an outlet, a lighting fixture, etc. installed in the house 10, and the power branched by the branch circuit is supplied to these outlets, lighting fixtures, and the like. In addition, the distribution board 13 includes an ampere breaker, an earth leakage breaker, a wiring breaker, and the like.

The distribution board measurement unit 14 measures the amount of power supplied by each facility 17 via the distribution board 13 . The distribution board measurement unit 14 includes a CT (Current Transformer) sensor that measures current based on changes in the magnetic force of electric wires associated with respective branch circuits in the distribution board 13, and measures power based on the current measured by the CT sensor. Measure quantity.

In addition, the distribution board measurement unit 14 transmits distribution board power data representing the measured power amount to the HEMS. The distribution board measurement unit 14 may be arranged inside the distribution board 13 or may be arranged near the distribution board 13 . Note that when the distribution board measurement unit 14 is arranged inside the distribution board 13 , it is usually invisible to people in the house 10 , which is excellent in terms of appearance. Therefore, when building a new house 10, the distribution board 13 is provided so that the distribution board measurement unit 14 is arranged inside in consideration of this point.

The smart meter 15 is installed outside the house 10 and within the site where the house 10 is built. The smart meter 15 measures the amount of power supplied by the electric utility and generates power data including the amount of power, billing information, and the like. In addition, the smart meter 15 uses the A-route communication network to transmit power data to a remote electric power company server. The communication network used to transmit power data to the utility server may use a wired communication system or a wireless communication system. Note that the smart meter 15 may become the property of a power transmission and distribution company in the future due to the power generation and transmission separation policy that is part of the liberalization of the electricity retail market.

In addition, the smart meter 15 transmits the power data to the B route receivable device 16 in the house 10 using the B route communication network. The communication network used to transmit the power data to the B-route receivable device 16 may use wired or wireless communication methods.

The B route receivable device 16 receives information from the smart meter 15 and transmits the received information to the gateway device 12 via the concentrator 11 . Also, the B route receivable device 16 transmits the information output from the gateway device 12 to the smart meter 15 . Note that when the gateway device 12 is a HEMS as described above, the B route receivable device 16 may be built in the HEMS or may be a device separate from the HEMS. If the B route receivable device 16 is a device separate from the HEMS, it is inserted into the HEMS as a dongle.

Also, the B route receivable device 16 is directly or indirectly connected to the concentrator 11 via a wired or wireless communication network, and transmits and receives information to and from the HEMS via the concentrator 11 .

The facility 17 is an appliance or device that operates with electric, gas, or water energy. The facility 17 includes, for example, a gas water heater, an electric water heater, and an air conditioner. The facilities 17 may include toilets, gas stoves, electric stoves, power generation/storage devices, and water supply and drainage facilities. Note that the service life of such equipment 17 is often shorter than the service life of the house 10 .

The equipment 17 includes a main unit 171 , an identifier storage unit 172 , a detection unit 173 , a characteristic value information storage unit 174 , a determination unit 175 and an equipment communication unit 176 .

The main body 171 operates using electricity, gas, or water energy. An example of the body portion 171 will be described later.

The identifier storage unit 172 stores an equipment ID for identifying the equipment 17 . The identifier storage unit 172 may store house IDs.

The detection unit 173 detects a characteristic value (hereinafter referred to as an “operation characteristic value”) of the main body 171 that changes with movement. Examples of operating characteristic values will be described later.

The characteristic value information storage unit 174 stores the operation characteristic value detected by the detection unit 173 together with the time when the operation characteristic value was detected.

The determination unit 175 determines whether or not the main unit 171 is out of order by a known method. Also, the determination unit 175 determines a failure risk leading to a failure based on the operation characteristic value and the time stored in the characteristic value information storage unit 174 .

In this embodiment, "failure" is a state in which the main unit 171 is disabled. Specifically, the main unit 171 is “broken” when it cannot realize the state set by the user or the state set at the time of manufacture. For example, if the facility 17 is a water heater, the main body 171 can be used if it can heat water to the temperature set by the user, and cannot be used if it cannot heat water to that temperature. is. For example, if the facility 17 is an air conditioner, the main unit 171 can be used if the room temperature can be adjusted to the temperature set by the user, and cannot be used if the room temperature cannot be adjusted to that temperature. be.

Even if the main body 171 can be used, there are cases where more energy than the design value is consumed due to deterioration, malfunction, etc. of the parts constituting the main body 171 . In such cases, the user may not be aware of the need to replace or repair the deteriorated part. Therefore, the determination unit 175 determines a failure risk that is difficult for the user to recognize.

Here, the process of determining the failure risk by the determination unit 175 will be described in detail. The determination unit 175 determines the failure risk based on the extent to which the operating characteristic value deviates from the ideal value expected at the time of design (hereinafter referred to as “design value”). Specifically, the determining unit 175 determines that, among a plurality of operating characteristic values detected within a predetermined period (for example, one month) from the present, the ratio of the operating characteristic values whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value is It is determined that the higher the value, the higher the failure risk. The failure risk is represented by a numerical value between 0 and 100%, for example. The failure risk may be represented by words such as "high possibility of failure" and "low possibility of failure", for example. Further, the failure risk may be represented by a color such as a background color or a character color when information indicating the failure risk is displayed on the input/output device 18, for example.

In another example, the determining unit 175 sets the failure risk to the first value ( For example, 70%). If the ratio of operating characteristic values whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value among the plurality of operating characteristic values is less than the first ratio and equal to or higher than the second ratio smaller than the first ratio, The failure risk is determined to be a second value (eg, 50%) lower than the first value. Furthermore, when the ratio of the operating characteristic values whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value among the plurality of operating characteristic values is less than the second ratio, the determining unit 175 determines that the failure risk is lower than the second value. value (eg, 30%).

The determination unit 175 may estimate the failure prediction timing based on the failure risk. For example, the determining unit 175 may determine that the higher the failure risk is, the closer the failure prediction time is, based on the statistically predetermined relationship between the failure risk and the failure prediction time. The failure prediction time is expressed using years, months, weeks, days, etc., such as "within 1 year" or "within 6 months". Further, the determination unit 175 may determine the failure prediction time and the risk of failure by the failure prediction time based on a relationship predetermined by statistics or the like.

The equipment communication unit 176 is compatible with communication standards such as ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), and communicates with the gateway device 12 via the line concentrator 11 . The equipment communication unit 176 transmits the failure information to the gateway device 12 via the line concentrator 11 . The failure information includes the failure risk determined by the determination unit 175 and the equipment ID stored in the identifier storage unit 172 . When a house ID is stored in the identifier storage unit 172, the failure information includes the house ID in addition to the failure risk and equipment ID.

Upon receiving the failure information, the gateway device 12 transmits the failure information to the equipment management server 20 . When the failure information includes only the failure risk and the facility ID, the gateway device 12 further includes the house ID in the failure information and transmits the failure information to the facility management server 20 . The gateway device 12 transmits the failure information received from the facility 17 to the facility management server 20 as it is when the failure information includes the failure risk, the facility ID, and the house ID. Therefore, the facility management server 20 can link the plurality of facilities 17 provided in the house 10 . This provides a great advantage when managing a wide variety of facilities 17 in an integrated manner.

In the above description, the house 10 includes one or more facilities 17. However, if the house 10 includes a plurality of facilities 17, the plurality of facility communication units 176 included in each of the plurality of facilities 17 each transmit the failure information to one unit. It transmits to the facility management server 20 via one gateway device 12 .

Hereinafter, the main unit 171, the detection unit 173, the characteristic value information storage unit 174, and the determination unit 175 will be described in detail for each type of equipment 17. FIG. As for the determination unit 175, the process of determining the failure risk will be described in detail.

(If the facility is a gas water heater or gas stove)
If the facility 17 is a gas water heater or a gas stove, the main body 171 ignites the burner and rotates the combustion fan when a combustion command is input. In this example, the operating characteristic value is the number of ignitions before the burner begins to combust. Alternatively, the operating characteristic value may be the rotation speed of the combustion fan.

The detector 173 detects the number of ignitions until the burner in the main body 171 starts combustion. Further, the detection portion 173 detects the rotation speed of the combustion fan in the main body portion 171 .

The characteristic value information storage unit 174 stores the number of times of ignition detected by the detection unit 173 together with the detection time. The detection time is the time when the number of ignitions until the burner starts combustion is detected in the main body 171, that is, the time when the burner starts combustion. The characteristic value information storage unit 174 also stores the rotation speed of the combustion fan detected by the detection unit 173 together with the detection time. The detection time is the time when the rotation speed of the combustion fan is detected.

The determination unit 175 determines the failure risk based on the number of times of ignition and detection time detected by the detection unit 173 . Specifically, the determination unit 175 extracts the number of ignitions within a predetermined period (for example, one month) from the current detection time stored in the characteristic value information storage unit 174 . Then, for example, the determination unit 175 determines that the higher the ratio of the number of times of ignition detected by the detection unit 173 that the number of times of ignition is greater than or equal to the reference value, the higher the risk of failure.

In another example, the determination unit 175 determines that the failure risk is the first value when the ratio of the difference from the design value to the reference value or more among the plurality of ignition frequencies is a first ratio or more. Determination unit 175 determines that when the ratio of the number of times of ignition that the difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value is less than the first ratio and equal to or greater than the second ratio smaller than the first ratio, the failure risk is the second. It is determined to be the second value lower than the 1 value. Furthermore, when the ratio of the number of times of ignition that differs from the design value to the reference value or more is less than the second ratio, the determination unit 175 determines that the failure risk is a third value lower than the second value. do.

Also, the determination unit 175 determines the failure risk based on the rotational speed of the combustion fan detected by the detection unit 173 . Specifically, the determination unit 175 extracts the number of revolutions within a predetermined period (for example, one month) from the current detection time stored in the characteristic value information storage unit 174 . Then, for example, it is determined that the higher the ratio of the number of revolutions detected by the detection unit 173 that the difference from the design value of the number of revolutions is equal to or greater than the reference value, the higher the failure risk. In this case, the failure risk is represented by a numerical value between 0% and 100%.

In another example, the determination unit 175 determines that the failure risk is the first value when the ratio of the difference from the design value to the reference value or more among the plurality of rotation speeds is a first ratio or more. Determination unit 175 determines that when the ratio of the difference from the design value to the reference value or more among the plurality of rotation speeds is less than the first ratio and is equal to or more than the second ratio smaller than the first ratio, the failure risk is the first. is determined to be a second value lower than the value. Further, when the ratio of the plurality of rotation speeds whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value is less than the second ratio, the determination unit 175 determines that the failure risk is a third value lower than the second value. judge. Here, the first ratio, second ratio, first value, second value, and third value are respectively the first ratio, second ratio, first value, second value, and the third value may not be the same.

(If the facility is an electric water heater, air conditioner, electric stove, or toilet)
If the facility 17 is an electric water heater, an air conditioner, an electric stove, or a toilet, the main body 171 changes the temperature of the controlled object to a desired temperature. If the facility 17 is, for example, an electric water heater such as EcoCute (registered trademark), the controlled object is water. If the facility 17 is an air conditioner, the controlled object is the air in the room where the air conditioner is installed. If the facility 17 is an electric stove, the object to be controlled is a heating member of the electric stove. If the facility 17 is a toilet, the controlled object is the toilet seat of the toilet. If the facility 17 is a toilet, the controlled object may be the flushing water supplied by the toilet.

For example, if the facility 17 is an electric water heater, the main body 171 heats water by a known method. Specifically, the main body 171 uses electrical energy to heat water to a set temperature set by the user.

For example, if the equipment 17 is an air conditioner, the main unit 171 changes the room temperature in the room where the air conditioner is installed by a known method. Specifically, the main body 171 uses electric energy to adjust the indoor temperature to the set temperature set by the user.

For example, if the facility 17 is an electric stove, the main body 171 adjusts the temperature of the heating section of the main body 171 by a known method. Specifically, the main unit 171 uses electrical energy to adjust the heating unit to the set temperature set by the user.

For example, if the facility 17 is a toilet, the main body 171 adjusts the temperature of the valve seat and the water supply temperature of the main body 171 by a known method. Specifically, the main body 171 uses electrical energy to adjust the valve seat and the water supply to the set temperature set by the user.

The detection unit 173 detects the power efficiency, which is the amount of power consumption required for the equipment 17 to change the temperature of the non-controlled object to the unit temperature, as the operation characteristic value. Specifically, the detection unit 173 detects the power consumption until the temperature of the controlled object reaches the set temperature when the main unit 171 starts operating. Then, the detection unit 173 detects the power efficiency by dividing the power consumption by the difference between the set temperature and the temperature of the object to be controlled.

The characteristic value information storage unit 174 stores the power efficiency detected by the detection unit 173 together with the detection time. The detection time is the time when the power consumption for calculating the power efficiency is detected by the main unit 171 .

The determination unit 175 determines the failure risk based on the power efficiency detected by the detection unit 173 and the detection time. Specifically, the determination unit 175 extracts the power efficiency within a predetermined period (for example, one month) from the current detection time stored in the characteristic value information storage unit 174 . Then, for example, the determining unit 175 determines that the failure risk is higher as the ratio of power efficiencies whose difference from the design value is greater than or equal to the reference value among the plurality of power efficiencies detected by the detecting unit 173 is higher. In this case, the failure risk is represented by a numerical value between 0% and 100%.

For example, the determination unit 175 determines that the failure risk is the first value when the ratio of the power efficiencies whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value among the plurality of power efficiencies is equal to or greater than the first ratio. If the ratio of the power efficiencies whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value among the plurality of power efficiencies is less than the first ratio and equal to or greater than a second ratio smaller than the first ratio, the failure A risk is determined to be a second value lower than the first value. Further, when the ratio of the power efficiencies whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value among the plurality of power efficiencies is less than the second ratio, the determination unit 175 determines that the failure risk is a third value lower than the second value. It is determined that Here, the first percentage, second percentage, first value, second value, and third value are the first percentage, second percentage, The first value, second value, and third value may not be the same.

(If the facility is power generation/storage equipment)
The main body 171 generates electric power from sunlight (PV: Photovoltaics) or a fuel cell such as Ene-Farm (registered trademark). Also, the main body 171 accumulates the generated power. The main unit 171 controls the generated power amount based on the generated power amount and the power generation/storage data representing the accumulated power amount. The main unit 171 may measure the amount of power using a power conditioner. By doing so, it is possible to measure the electric energy without using the CT sensor, and to control the power generation by the PV and the fuel cell.

The detection unit 173 detects the maximum value of the charge amount accumulated in the main unit 171 as an operating characteristic value.

The characteristic value information storage unit 174 stores the maximum value of the charge amount detected by the detection unit 173 together with the detection time when the maximum value was detected.

The determination unit 175 determines the failure risk based on the amount of charge detected by the detection unit 173 and the detection time. Specifically, the determination unit 175 extracts the maximum value of the charge amount within a predetermined period (for example, one month) from the current detection time stored in the characteristic value information storage unit 174 . Then, for example, the determination unit 175 determines that the higher the ratio of the difference from the design value to the reference value or more among the plurality of maximum values detected by the detection unit 173, the higher the failure risk. In this case, the failure risk is represented by a numerical value between 0% and 100%.

For example, the determining unit 175 determines that the failure risk is the first value when the ratio of the maximum values whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value among the plurality of maximum values is equal to or greater than the first value. The determining unit 175 determines that if the ratio of the maximum value whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value, among the plurality of maximum values, is less than the first value and equal to or greater than a second value smaller than the first value, a failure occurs. A risk is determined to be a second value lower than the first value. Furthermore, when the ratio of the maximum values whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value among the plurality of maximum values is less than the second ratio, the determination unit 175 determines that the failure risk is a third value lower than the second value. Determine that there is. Here, the first ratio, second ratio, first value, second value, and third value are respectively used in the determination when the above equipment 17 is a gas water heater, a gas stove, an air conditioner, an electric stove, and a toilet. The first percentage, second percentage, first value, second value, and third value may not be the same.

(If the facility is a water supply facility)
When the equipment 17 is a water supply equipment, the body part 171 draws in water from a water main installed outside the house 10 by a known method and supplies the water to a predetermined location inside the house 10 . Specifically, the main unit 171 has a water pipe, and supplies water to the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, etc. in the house 10 through the water pipe using the water supply pressure generated by the user's operation. do.

The detection unit 173 detects the flow rate per unit pressure as the operation characteristic value by detecting the flow rate of water flowing through the water pipe according to the water supply pressure.

The characteristic value information storage unit 174 stores the flow efficiency detected by the detection unit 173 together with the detection time when the flow efficiency is detected.

The determination unit 175 determines the failure risk based on the flow rate efficiency detected by the detection unit 173 and the detection time. Specifically, the determination unit 175 extracts flow efficiencies whose detection times stored in the characteristic value information storage unit 174 are within a predetermined period (for example, one month) from the present. Then, for example, the determination unit 175 determines that the higher the ratio of flow efficiencies whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value among the plurality of flow efficiencies detected by the detection unit 173, the higher the failure risk. In this case, the failure risk is represented by a numerical value between 0% and 100%.

In another example, the determination unit 175 determines that the failure risk is the first value when the ratio of the flow efficiencies whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value among the plurality of flow efficiencies is equal to or greater than the first ratio. judge. If the ratio of the flow efficiencies whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value among the plurality of flow efficiencies is less than the first ratio and equal to or greater than a second ratio smaller than the first ratio, the failure A risk is determined to be a second value lower than the first value. Furthermore, when the ratio of the flow efficiencies whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value among the plurality of flow efficiencies is less than the second ratio, the determination unit 175 determines that the failure risk is a third value lower than the second value. It is determined that Here, each of the first ratio, second ratio, first value, second value, and third value indicates that when the equipment 17 is a gas water heater and a gas stove, the equipment 17 is an air conditioner, an electric stove, and a toilet. , and the first percentage, second percentage, first value, second value, and third value in the determination when the facility 17 is a power generation/storage device may not be the same.

The input/output device 18 receives failure display information from the facility management server 20 via the gateway device 12 and outputs the received failure display information to the display 18A. Also, the input/output device 18 inputs various kinds of information by the operation of a user or the like. The input/output device 18 may be a television, a dedicated tablet, a general-purpose tablet, a smart phone, a PC (Personal Computer), or an indoor monitor for a door phone. Moreover, as described above, when the gateway device 12 is a HEMS, the input/output device 18 may be a dedicated input/output device (HEMS monitor) for HEMS.

The failure display information is information to be output to the display 18A of the input/output device 18, which is generated based on the failure information, and includes information indicating the facility 17 and information related to failure information. The information indicating the facility 17 includes, for example, the name of the facility 17 identified by the facility ID (for example, "water heater"). Information related to failure information includes failure risks or descriptions of the failure risks, as well as colors corresponding to failure risks. For example, when the facility 17 is a water heater and the failure risk is equal to or higher than the second value, as shown in FIG. There is a 50% chance of stopping due to a failure" may be included. When the equipment 17 is a water heater and the failure risk is the first value, for example, as shown in FIG. There is a 70% chance of stopping due to the cause" may be included. Further, for example, if the facility 17 is a water heater and the failure risk is the third value, the failure display information is displayed in a blue background color and reads, "At present, there is a low possibility that the water heater will stop due to a failure." May contain a description. In addition to the background color, the color corresponding to the failure risk includes the color of the characters displayed on the input/output device 18, the color of the screen itself, the color of the maintenance application button to be described later in detail, and the colors installed around the input/output device 18. It may be the color of the light emitted by the LED light source, or the like.

The failure display information includes information indicating the equipment 17 and information related to failure information, as well as information that enables application for maintenance of the equipment 17 . The information that enables maintenance application is, for example, information for outputting an operation button labeled "maintenance application" (maintenance application button). In this case, the input/output device 18 may output information enabling maintenance application in a pop-up window. The input/output device 18 may output the information enabling maintenance application and the failure information in one pop-up window, or may output them in separate pop-up windows.

For example, when a maintenance application button is clicked, the input/output device 18 transmits maintenance application information to the facility management server 20 via the gateway device 12 as an operation based on information enabling maintenance application. The maintenance application information is information including information indicating that maintenance is applied for, the equipment ID, and the house ID.

Further, for example, the input/output device 18 may receive a predetermined input form as shown in FIG. 3 from the equipment management server 20 when the maintenance application button is clicked. In this case, the input/output device 18 outputs a predetermined input form to the display 18A. In the prescribed input form, the name of the user of the facility 17, phonetic syllabary of the name, contact information, time zone in which the service provider can be contacted, whether or not a visit is desired, desired visit date and visit desired day of the week, and other maintenance application details. It contains fields for entering information. The predetermined input form may include terms of use and check boxes that are entered when agreeing to the terms of use. Then, when the user inputs the above items in a predetermined input form, the input/output device 18 transmits the maintenance application detailed information input by the user to the facility management server 20 via the gateway device 12. . Note that maintenance application information or maintenance application detailed information is hereinafter referred to as "information indicating maintenance application".

In another example, the input/output device 18 may receive and output information on the maintenance business from the facility management server 20 when the maintenance application button is clicked. The information on the maintenance company is, for example, the telephone number of the maintenance company.

In another example, when the input/output device 18 is a smartphone or the like having a telephone function, when the maintenance application button is clicked, the input/output device 18 sends information including the telephone number of the facility management server 20 or the maintenance company. A calling screen may be output for receiving and making a call to the telephone number. When the maintenance application button is clicked, the input/output device 18 may activate dial-up and make a call to the maintenance company of the equipment 17 or prepare for making a call.

The input/output device 18 may also include an LED (Light Emitting Diode). When the failure risk included in the failure indication information is higher than the threshold, or when the failure indication information indicates that the failure risk is higher than the threshold, the input/output device 18 blinks or lights the LED. good too.

Also, the input/output device 18 may have a mail transmission/reception function. For example, when the maintenance application button is clicked, the input/output device 18 may output to the display 18A an email creation screen in which the email address of the maintenance company is entered as the email destination. For example, when the maintenance application button is clicked, the input/output device 18 may send an e-mail stating that maintenance is requested in advance to the maintenance company as the maintenance application information.

The input/output device 18 may also have hard keys. In this case, the above-described information enabling application for maintenance may include information indicating that a hard key should be pressed in order to apply for maintenance of the equipment 17 .

Also, the input/output device 18 may include a speaker. In this case, the input/output device 18 may output the information indicating the equipment 17 and the information indicating the possibility of the equipment 17 breaking down by voice using a speaker.

The facility management server 20 manages one or more facilities 17 provided in each of one or more houses 10 . The facility management server 20 is composed of one server or a group of servers. The facility management server 20 transmits and receives information to and from the gateway device 12 inside the house 10 via an external communication network such as the Internet. The facility management server 20 includes a server communication section 21 , a failure information storage section 24 , a display information generation section 25 and a server output section 26 .

The server communication unit 21 receives failure information transmitted from the house 10 . The server communication unit 21 also receives maintenance application information and detailed maintenance application information transmitted from the house 10 . Also, the server communication unit 21 transmits the failure display information generated by the display information generation unit 25 . The server communication unit 21 can also transmit proposal information for proposing maintenance of the equipment 17 to the house 10 based on the failure information stored in the failure information storage unit 24 . The proposal information may be sent by e-mail, or may be sent as a file in a format that can be output to the input/output device 18 .

The failure information storage unit 24 stores failure information transmitted from the house 10 and received by the server communication unit 21 .

The display information generation unit 25 generates failure display information based on failure information transmitted from the house 10 and received by the server communication unit 21 . If the input/output device 18 is a web browser, the display information generator 25 is a web server. In this case, the display information generation unit 25 generates the failure display information as, for example, an HTML file or an XML file that can be displayed on a web browser.

The server output unit 26 outputs the maintenance application information and maintenance application detailed information transmitted from the house 10 and received by the server communication unit 21 to the display device. The server output unit 26 also outputs the failure information stored in the failure information storage unit 24 to the display. The display may be a display that displays failure information, or a speaker that outputs failure information by voice.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the input/output device 18 outputs failure display information relating to failure information and information that enables an application for maintenance of the equipment 17 . Therefore, the resident of the house 10 can recognize that the facility 17 has failed and the possibility that the facility 17 will fail, and can apply for maintenance of the facility 17 quickly and easily. As in the past, if the resident only recognized the failure of the equipment 17 but did not know how to apply for maintenance, it took time and effort to find out where to apply. In addition, even if the resident recognizes that the risk of failure of the facility 17 is high, if the resident feels troublesome to check the application destination and does not respond, the facility 17 is not maintained and breaks down, causing inconvenience to the resident. . In the first embodiment, since the input/output device 18 outputs the information that enables application for maintenance of the equipment 17 together with the risk of failure, the above-described troubles and inconveniences can be eliminated.

Further, in the first embodiment, the determination unit 175 determines that the failure risk is higher as the ratio of the operating characteristic values whose difference from the design value is greater than or equal to the reference value among the plurality of operating characteristic values is higher. Further, the failure risk is determined by comparing the ratio of the operating characteristic value with a plurality of ratios (first ratio, second ratio, etc.). Therefore, the resident can recognize the degree of possibility that the equipment 17 will fail. Thus, for example, the resident can decide whether to apply for maintenance immediately or later, depending on the degree of possibility that the equipment 17 will fail, in consideration of his own convenience. Therefore, convenience for the residents regarding maintenance of the facility 17 is improved.

Further, in the first embodiment, the input/output device 18 outputs failure display information in colors corresponding to failure risks. Therefore, for example, when the failure risk is high, the failure risk can be output with a red background color or red text color, and when the failure risk is low, the failure risk can be output with a blue background color or blue text color. Therefore, the resident can intuitively recognize the degree of failure by the color.

Further, in the first embodiment, the input/output device 18 transmits maintenance application information for the equipment 17 to the equipment management server 20 when an operation is performed based on information enabling maintenance application. Then, the server output unit 26 of the facility management server 20 outputs based on the maintenance application information. Therefore, the operator of the service providing company having the equipment management server 20 recognizes that the resident of the house 10 has applied for the maintenance of the equipment 17 . Then, the operator or the like can coordinate the date and time of the maintenance visit with the resident of the house 10 by telephone or the like. In addition, the operator or the like can provide the residents of the house 10 with information on maintenance by telephone or the like, or send direct mail.

Further, in the first embodiment, the server output unit 26 outputs failure information stored in the failure information storage unit 24 . Therefore, the operator of the service providing company having the equipment management server 20 recognizes the failure risk of the equipment 17 of the house 10 . Therefore, the operator or the like can propose maintenance of the facilities 17 to residents of the house 10 by telephone. In addition, the operator or the like can use the failure of the equipment 17 as a trigger to ask about the residents' lifestyles and propose appropriate services. The services are, for example, services related to insurance and renovation. Especially when the facility 17 is a water heater, a toilet, and a water supply/drainage facility, it may be possible to propose renovation of plumbing.

Moreover, in the first embodiment, the residence 10 includes a plurality of facilities 17 . A plurality of facility communication units 176 of the plurality of facilities 17 respectively transmit failure information to the facility management server 20 via one gateway device 12 . Therefore, the house 10 does not need to equip each facility 17 with a device for transmitting failure information transmitted from each facility 17 via an external communication network. That is, the house 10 can be realized with a low-cost and simple configuration.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The overall configuration of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the facility management system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the facility management system 2 includes a line concentrator 11, a gateway device 12, a distribution board 13, and a distribution board measurement unit 14, as in the facility management system 1 of the first embodiment. , a smart meter 15 , a B route receivable device 16 , one or more installations 17 and an input/output device 18 . Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration blocks as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In the second embodiment, the equipment 17 includes a main unit 171 , an identifier storage unit 172 , a detection unit 173 and an equipment communication unit 176 . The equipment 17 of the second embodiment differs from the equipment 17 of the first embodiment in that it does not include the characteristic value information storage unit 174 and the determination unit 175 .

The equipment communication unit 176 transmits the characteristic value information to the gateway device 12 via the line concentrator 11 . The characteristic value information includes an operation characteristic value, detection time, and equipment ID. The characteristic value information may include the house ID in addition to the operation characteristic value, the detection time, and the equipment ID.

The gateway device 12 transmits the characteristic value information received from the facility 17 to the facility management server 20 . If the characteristic value information does not include the house ID, the gateway device 12 further includes the house ID in the characteristic value information and transmits the characteristic value information to the equipment management server 20 . When the characteristic value information includes the house ID, the gateway device 12 transmits the characteristic value information including the house ID received from the facility 17 to the facility management server 20 .

The facility management server 20 includes a server communication section 21, a failure information storage section 24, a display information generation section 25, and a server output section 26, as in the first embodiment. The facility management server 20 further includes a characteristic value information storage unit 22 and a determination unit 23, and differs from the facility management server 20 of the first embodiment in this respect.

The server communication unit 21 receives characteristic value information transmitted from the house 10 . In addition, the server communication unit 21 transmits to the house 10 failure display information regarding information that enables application for maintenance of the equipment 17 and failure information including the presence or absence of a failure of the equipment 17 or failure risk. The server communication unit 21 also receives maintenance application information or maintenance application detailed information from the house 10 .

The characteristic value information storage unit 22 stores characteristic value information transmitted from the house 10 .

The determination unit 23 determines failure risk based on the characteristic value information stored in the characteristic value information storage unit 22 . A detailed method for determining the failure risk by the determining unit 23 is the same as the method for determining the failure risk by the determining unit 175 of the equipment 17 in the first embodiment.

The failure information storage unit 24 stores the failure risk determined by the determination unit 23 together with the detection time, house ID, and facility ID included in the characteristic value information used for the determination.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the input/output device 18 outputs failure display information including information about failure risk and information enabling maintenance application for the equipment 17 . Therefore, the resident of the house 10 can recognize that the facility 17 has failed or the possibility that the facility 17 will fail, and can apply for maintenance of the facility 17 quickly and easily. Even if only the information about the failure risk is recognized as in the past, if it is not known how to apply for maintenance, it may take time to find out where to apply. In addition, if the residents recognize the high failure risk but do not respond because they find it troublesome to check the application destination, the facilities 17 may break down without being maintained, causing inconvenience to the residents. In the second embodiment, since the input/output device 18 outputs information that enables application for maintenance of the equipment 17 together with the presence or absence of failure or failure risk, the above-described trouble and inconvenience can be eliminated. There exists an effect similar to 1st Embodiment called this.

In the second embodiment, the determination unit 23 may determine the failure risk based on failure information about the facilities 17 of multiple houses 10 . Specifically, the determination unit 23 statistically analyzes failure information regarding the same type of equipment 17 installed in a plurality of houses 10, and determines the failure risk using the analysis results. For example, the determination unit 23 determines a statistical value (e.g., average value, median value, etc.). Then, when the determination unit 23 determines that the failure risk is the first value based on the characteristic value information newly received from the one house 10, the statistical value calculated until the equipment 17 fails do. The determination unit 23 is not limited to this, and may determine the failure risk using an arbitrary algorithm based on a plurality of pieces of failure information.

Although the above-described embodiments and examples have been described as representative examples, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and substitutions may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as limited by the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, it is possible to combine a plurality of configuration blocks described in the embodiments and examples into one, or divide one configuration block.

In the above-described embodiment, the facilities 17 include, for example, water heaters, air conditioners, toilets, stoves, power generation/storage devices, and water supply and drainage facilities, but are not limited to these. The equipment 17 may include, for example, a dishwasher, an electric shutter, an electric lock, an electric vehicle charging device, a floor heating device, and the like. Further, the water heater may be a water heater with a reheating function or a high-efficiency exhaust heat recovery type water heater. Also, the equipment 17 may be a neutralizer that the water heater has. In these cases, the determination unit 175 and the determination unit 23 use the energy consumption efficiency required for the desired operation in each facility 17, the voltage value required for the desired current value to flow, and the like as operation characteristic values, in the same manner as described above. judge.

In the above-described embodiment, the determining unit 175 determines the ratio of operating characteristic values whose difference from the design value is equal to or greater than the reference value, among the plurality of operating characteristic values detected within a predetermined period (for example, one month) from the present. Although the failure risk was determined based on, it is not limited to this. For example, the determination unit 175 may determine the failure risk based on the number of consecutive times that the operating characteristic value of the main body 171 detected by the detection unit 173 is equal to or greater than the reference value. Also, the determination unit 175 may determine the failure risk by any algorithm based on the operation characteristic value.

In the above-described embodiment, the determination unit 175 determines the failure risk by comparing the ratio of the operating characteristic values equal to or greater than the reference value among the plurality of operating characteristic values with the first ratio and the second ratio. do not have. The determining unit 175 may determine the failure risk by comparing the ratio of operating characteristic values equal to or greater than the reference value among the plurality of operating characteristic values with three or more ratios.

1, 2 facility management system 10 house 11 concentrator 12 gateway device 13 distribution board 14 distribution board measurement unit 15 smart meter 16 B route receivable device 17 facility 18 input/output device 18A display 20 facility management server 21 server communication unit 22 Characteristic value information storage unit 23, 175 Judgment unit 24 Failure information storage unit 25 Display information generation unit 26 Server output unit 171 Main unit 172 Identifier storage unit 173 Detection unit 174 Characteristic value information storage unit 176 Equipment communication unit

Claims (13)

A house equipped with facilities, gateway devices, and input/output devices,
The equipment includes:
a body that operates using electricity, gas, or water energy;
a detection unit that detects an operation characteristic value that changes with the operation of the main body;
a determination unit that determines a failure risk leading to a failure of the main body based on the operating characteristic value;
a facility communication unit that transmits failure information including the failure risk to a facility management server that manages the facility via the gateway device;
with
The determining unit determines that the failure risk is higher as a ratio of a plurality of operating characteristic values detected within a predetermined period of time, in which a difference from a design value is equal to or greater than a reference value, is higher,
The input/output device includes information that enables application for maintenance of the equipment, a failure prediction time at which failure of the equipment is predicted based on the failure information, and a probability that the equipment will fail before the failure prediction time. from the facility management server, and outputs the failure display information. A house equipped with facilities, gateway devices, and input/output devices,
The equipment includes:
a body that operates using electricity, gas, or water energy;
a detection unit that detects an operation characteristic value that changes with the operation of the main body;
a facility communication unit that transmits the operating characteristic value to the gateway device;
with
Based on the operation characteristic value received from the facility communication unit, the gateway device transmits to a facility management server including a determination unit that determines a failure risk leading to a failure of the main unit, and the facility management server transmits and a failure prediction time when failure of the equipment is predicted based on the failure information including the failure risk, and a probability that the equipment will fail by the failure prediction time. receive information,
The determining unit determines that the failure risk is higher as a ratio of a plurality of operating characteristic values detected within a predetermined period of time, in which a difference from a design value is equal to or greater than a reference value, is higher,
The house, wherein the input/output device outputs the failure indication information. The determination unit determines that the failure risk is a first value when a ratio of the operating characteristic values having a difference from the design value equal to or larger than a reference value among the plurality of operating characteristic values is equal to or larger than a first ratio. , when the ratio is less than the first ratio and equal to or greater than a second ratio smaller than the first ratio, it is determined that the failure risk is a second value lower than the first value, and the ratio is the second 3. The house according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein if the ratio is less than 2, it is determined that the failure risk is a third value lower than the second value. 4. The house according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the input/output device outputs the failure display information in a color corresponding to the failure risk. 5. The house according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the information enabling the application for maintenance is an operation button for applying for maintenance of the equipment. 3. The gateway device transmits information indicating an application for maintenance of the facility to the facility management server when the input/output device is operated based on the information enabling the maintenance application. 6. The house according to any one of 1 to 5 . 6. The house according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the input/output device outputs a predetermined input form when an operation based on the information enabling the maintenance application is performed. 6. The input/output device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein when an operation based on the information enabling the maintenance application is performed, the input/output device outputs information about a business operator who maintains the equipment. The listed residence. 9. The house according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein at least a water heater is included in the plurality of facilities. 4. The input/output device is characterized in that, when an operation based on the information enabling the maintenance application is performed, dial-up is activated and a call is made to the maintenance company of the equipment or a call preparation state is established. 10. The house according to any one of 1 to 9 . comprising a plurality of said facilities,
11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the plurality of equipment communication units respectively possessed by the plurality of equipment transmit the failure information to the equipment management server via one gateway device. The listed residence. 7. The house according to claim 6 , wherein the facility management server, upon receiving the information indicating the application for maintenance, transmits information on maintenance to the input/output device. The equipment management server includes a server output unit,
7. The house according to claim 6 , wherein the server output unit outputs the information indicating the maintenance application when receiving the information indicating the maintenance application.

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