JP7713401B2 - Power measuring equipment and distribution boards - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power measuring device and a distribution board.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power meter that outputs circuit information related to multiple branch circuits and power information of each branch circuit measured by the power meter to an external device, and a distribution board using the same.

JP 2015-211570 A

Conventionally, power meters are equipped with an external battery and an internal power source, and these power sources function as backup power sources in the event of a power outage. However, when the time of the clock circuit that keeps time on the power meter is initialized when the battery is replaced or the internal power source fails, the power consumption data stored in the memory unit that is after the initialized time, i.e., the power consumption data with a future time is erased.

The present invention provides a power measurement device and a distribution board that can prevent the power consumption data stored in the memory unit from being erased when the time in the clock circuit is initialized.

The power measurement device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a measurement circuit that measures the power consumption in a branch circuit installed in a facility, a clock circuit that keeps time, a memory unit that stores power consumption data in which the power consumption measured by the measurement circuit is linked to the time kept by the clock circuit, and a control unit that determines whether to erase the power consumption data stored in the memory unit based on the current time set in the clock circuit after the power supply to the clock circuit is turned off and the time kept by the clock circuit is initialized.

A distribution board according to one aspect of the present invention is equipped with the above-mentioned power meter.

The present invention provides a power measurement device and a distribution board that can prevent the power consumption data stored in the memory unit from being erased when the time of the clock circuit is initialized.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distribution board including a power measuring device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of the operation of the power measuring device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of the operation of the power measuring device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the position of the display unit on the distribution board and a setting screen displayed on the display unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a notification to the user in setting the current time.

The following describes the embodiments with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in an independent claim that indicates a superordinate concept are described as optional components.

Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configurations, and duplicate explanations may be omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment)
[1. Configuration]
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power measurement device and a distribution board according to an embodiment. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, a power measurement device 10 and a distribution board 20 according to the embodiment may be a power measurement system 100 communicably connected to an external device 60. The external device 60 is a device that includes a clock circuit that measures time and is capable of communicating with the power measurement device 10, and is not particularly limited thereto, but may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer.

[Distribution board]
1 , the distribution board 20 includes a main breaker 21, a plurality of branch breakers 22, and a power measuring device 10. The distribution board 20 is provided in a facility 50 and is disposed within the facility 50. The facility 50 is, for example, a detached house. The facility 50 includes a plurality of rooms separated by walls, doors, or the like.

The distribution board 20 has a main breaker 21 for turning on and off the power supply from the system power source 30. The main breaker 21 is a breaker that stops the supply of power from the system power source 30 when a current that exceeds a predetermined current (for example, a current based on the power specified in a contract with the power company) flows from the system power source 30.

The distribution board 20 also has multiple branch breakers 22 for each of the multiple branch circuits 32 branching off from the main circuit 31. In other words, the distribution board 20 has a branch breaker 22 for each branch circuit 32. The branch breaker 22 is a breaker that stops the supply of power to the branch circuit 32 when an overcurrent flows through the branch circuit 32 connected to the branch breaker 22. Each branch circuit 32 supplies power to multiple devices (e.g., load 40a) or specific devices (e.g., load 40b, load 40c) installed in a specific room in the facility 50.

[Power Measuring Device]
The power measurement device 10 measures the power consumption in each of a plurality of branch circuits 32 provided in the facility 50. In other words, the power measurement device 10 is a multi-circuit power meter.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the power measurement device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, a memory unit 13, a time memory unit 14, a measurement circuit 15, a clock circuit 16, a backup power supply 17, a display unit 18, and a reception unit 19.

The communication unit 11 is a communication module (communication circuit) that allows the power measurement device 10 to communicate with the external device 60. The communication performed by the communication unit 11 is, for example, wireless communication, but may also be wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard used for the communication.

The control unit 12 performs various information processing related to the control of the power measurement device 10. Specifically, the control unit 12 is realized by a processor, a microcomputer, or a dedicated circuit. The specific operation of the control unit 12 will be described later.

The memory unit 13 is a storage device that stores the programs executed by the control unit 12, collected data, and the like. The collected data is, for example, power consumption data in which the power consumption of each branch circuit 32 measured by the measurement circuit 15 is linked to the time measured by the clock circuit 16. The memory unit 13 is realized, for example, by a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor memory.

The time memory unit 14 is a storage device that periodically stores the time measured by the clock circuit 16. The time memory unit 14 is realized, for example, by a HDD or a semiconductor memory.

The measurement circuit 15 measures the power consumption in the branch circuits 32 installed in the facility 50. The measurement circuit 15 includes a current transformer (CT) installed in multiple branch circuits 32, and measures the power consumption for each branch circuit 32 using the CT.

The clock circuit 16 keeps track of the time.

The backup power supply 17 is used by the clock circuit 16 when the facility 50 experiences a power outage.

The display unit 18 displays an image. For example, the display unit 18 displays a setting screen for setting the current time, including the latest time stored in the time memory unit 14. The display unit 18 is realized by a display panel, such as a liquid crystal (LC) panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel.

The reception unit 19 receives setting operations from the user. The reception unit 19 is realized, for example, by a touch panel or a hardware button.

[2. Operation]
Next, the operation of the power measuring device 10 according to the embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[First Example]
First, a first example of the operation will be described. In the first example, when a power outage occurs in the facility 50 and the power supply from the backup power source 17 to the clock circuit 16 is turned off, the time kept by the clock circuit 16 is initialized, and the initialized time is set as the current time. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing a first example of the operation of the power measuring device 10 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the measurement circuit 15 of the power measurement device 10 measures the power consumption in each of the multiple branch circuits 32 (S01). The clock circuit 16 keeps time (S02). The processes of steps S01 and S02 may be performed in any order, or may be performed simultaneously.

Next, the control unit 12 links the power consumption measured by the measurement circuit 15 in step S01 to the time measured by the clock circuit 16 in step S02 and stores them in the memory unit 13 (S03).

If the facility 50 does not experience a power outage (No in S04), the power metering device 10 repeats the process of steps S01 to S03. On the other hand, if the facility 50 experiences a power outage (Yes in S04), the backup power source 17 starts supplying power to the clock circuit 16 (S05), and the clock circuit 16 starts measuring the time (S06).

If the power supply from the backup power source 17 to the clock circuit 16 is not turned off (No in S07), the clock circuit 16 keeps track of the time (S06). On the other hand, if the power supply from the backup power source 17 to the clock circuit 16 is turned off (Yes in S07), the time kept by the clock circuit 16 is initialized (S08). If the power outage in the facility 50 is not resolved (No in S09), the power metering device 10 stops operating.

On the other hand, when the power outage in the facility 50 is resolved (Yes in S09), the control unit 12 sets the current time (S10). For example, the control unit 12 may set the current time based on time information entered into the setting screen, or may receive time information held by the external device 60 from the external device 60 and set the current time based on the received time information.

Next, the control unit 12 determines whether or not to erase the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 based on the current time set in the clock circuit 16 in step S10 (S11). For example, in step S11, if the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 indicates power consumption linked to a time earlier than the current time set in the clock circuit 16, the control unit 12 determines not to erase the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 (No in S11). Then, the control unit 12 does not erase the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 (not shown).

On the other hand, in step S11, for example, the control unit 12 determines to erase the power consumption data indicating the power consumption linked to a time later than the current time set in the clock circuit 16 from the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13, and determines not to erase the power consumption data indicating the power consumption linked to a time earlier than the current time set in the clock circuit 16 from the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 (Yes in S11). Then, the control unit 12 erases the power consumption data for a time later than the current time from the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13, and does not erase the power consumption data for a time earlier than the current time (S12).

[Second Example]
Next, a second example of the operation will be described. In the first example, an example was described in which the current time is set based on the time information input by the user to the setting screen or the time information received from the external device 60 after the time is initialized. In the second example, the time memory unit 14 periodically stores the time measured by the clock circuit 16, and displays the latest time among the stored times on the setting screen. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a second example of the operation of the power measuring device according to the embodiment. In FIG. 3, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as in FIG. 2. Below, the differences from the first example will be mainly described, and the description of the overlapping contents will be omitted or simplified.

As shown in FIG. 3, the measurement circuit 15 of the power measurement device 10 measures the power consumption in each of the multiple branch circuits 32 (S01), and the clock circuit 16 keeps time (S02). The processes of steps S01 and S02 may be performed in any order, or may be performed simultaneously.

Next, the control unit 12 periodically stores the time measured by the clock circuit 16 in step S02 in the time memory unit 14 (S21). For example, the control unit 12 may store the time measured by the clock circuit 16 in the time memory unit 14 every minute.

Next, the control unit 12 links the power consumption measured by the measurement circuit 15 in step S01 to the time measured by the clock circuit 16 in step S02 and stores them in the memory unit 13 (S03).

If the facility 50 does not experience a power outage (No in S04), the power metering device 10 repeats the processes of steps S01, S02, S21, and S03. On the other hand, if the facility 50 experiences a power outage (Yes in S04), power supply from the backup power source 17 to the clock circuit 16 begins (S05), and the clock circuit 16 keeps track of the time (S06). The control unit 12 periodically stores the time kept by the clock circuit 16 in step S06 in the time memory unit 14 (S22).

If the power supply from the backup power source 17 to the clock circuit 16 is not turned off (No in S07), the clock circuit 16 keeps time (S06), and the control unit 12 periodically stores the kept time in the time memory unit 14 (S22). On the other hand, if the power supply from the backup power source 17 to the clock circuit 16 is turned off (Yes in S07), the time kept by the clock circuit 16 is initialized (S08). If the power outage in the facility 50 is not resolved (No in S09), the power measurement device 10 stops operating.

On the other hand, when the power outage in the facility 50 is resolved (Yes in S09), the control unit 12 causes the display unit 18 to display a setting screen for setting the current time, including the latest time stored in the time memory unit 14 (S23). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the position of the display unit 18 in the distribution board 20 and an example of a setting screen displayed on the display unit 18. As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 18 displays a setting screen including the latest time stored in the time memory unit 14 as the current time of the device, for example. For example, the latest time may also be displayed in "Time adjustment (manual input)" in FIG. 4.

Next, the control unit 12 causes the display unit 18 to indicate that the latest time displayed on the setting screen is not the correct current time (S24). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 18 may display "This is not the correct current time" along with the latest time.

Next, the control unit 12 sets the current time (S10). For example, the control unit 12 may set the current time based on the time information input to the setting screen, or may receive time information held by the external device 60 from the external device 60 and set the current time based on the received time information. For example, when the user touches the "Manual Input" button, the latest time is displayed in "Time Setting (Manual Input)" in FIG. 4, and the user manually inputs the current time and touches the "Set" button. As a result, the reception unit 19 accepts the input for setting the current time, and the control unit 12 sets the current time according to the accepted input. Also, for example, when the user touches the "Receive" button next to the "Manual Input" button, time information held by the external device 60 such as the user's smartphone is received from the external device 60, and the received time information is displayed in "Time Setting (Receive)" instead of "Time Setting (Manual Input)". Then, when the user touches the "Set" button, the reception unit 19 accepts the input for setting the current time, and the control unit 12 sets the current time according to the accepted input.

Next, the control unit 12 determines whether or not to erase the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 based on the current time set in the clock circuit 16 in step S10 (S11). For example, in step S11, if the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 indicates power consumption linked to a time earlier than the current time set in the clock circuit 16, the control unit 12 determines not to erase the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 (No in S11). Then, the control unit 12 does not erase the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 (not shown).

In the first and second examples, a notification prompting the user to confirm the setting of the current time (S10) may be presented. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a notification to the user when setting the current time. For example, as shown in FIG. 5(a), when the user tries to set the current time to a time earlier than the latest time stored in the time storage unit 14, the control unit 12 may present a notification prompting the user to confirm the setting as shown in FIG. 5(b). For example, the display unit 18 may display a notification notifying the user that power consumption data for a time later than the set time will be deleted, and a notification to confirm whether or not to execute the deletion. Also, for example, when the user tries to set the current time to a time later than the latest time stored in the time storage unit 14, the display unit 18 may display a notification notifying the user that the set time will be set to the current time, and a notification to confirm whether or not to execute the setting.

[3. Effects, etc.]
As described above, the power measuring device 10 of the embodiment comprises a measurement circuit 15 that measures the power consumption in a branch circuit 32 provided in a facility 50, a clock circuit 16 that keeps time, a memory unit 13 that stores power consumption data in which the power consumption measured by the measurement circuit 15 is linked to the time kept by the clock circuit 16, and a control unit 12 that determines whether to erase the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 based on the current time set in the clock circuit 16 after the power supply to the clock circuit 16 is turned off and the time kept by the clock circuit 16 is initialized.

When the time of the clock circuit 16 is initialized, such a power measurement device 10 determines whether or not to erase the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 based on the current time set after the initialization. Therefore, the power measurement device 10 does not erase the power consumption data linked to a time in the future than the initialized time when the time is initialized. Therefore, the power measurement device 10 can prevent the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 from being erased when the time of the clock circuit 16 is initialized.

For example, the power measurement device 10 according to the embodiment further includes a backup power source 17 that is used by the clock circuit 16 when the facility 50 experiences a power outage, and power is supplied to the clock circuit 16 from the backup power source 17.

In this type of power measurement device 10, even if the facility 50 experiences a power outage, power is supplied from the backup power source 17 to the clock circuit 16, and when the power supply is turned off, the time in the clock circuit 16 is initialized. Therefore, even after a power outage in the facility 50, the power measurement device 10 can keep time using the clock circuit 16 while power is being supplied from the backup power source 17. Therefore, the power measurement device 10 can reduce the possibility of the time in the clock circuit 16 being initialized due to a power outage in the facility 50.

Furthermore, for example, in the power measuring device 10 according to the embodiment, the control unit 12 determines to erase the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 that indicates power consumption linked to a time later than the current time set in the clock circuit 16, and determines not to erase the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 that indicates power consumption linked to a time earlier than the current time set in the clock circuit 16.

Such a power measurement device 10 can hold power consumption data linked to a time earlier than the current time, and therefore can prevent all power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 from being erased due to time initialization.

For example, the power measuring device 10 according to the embodiment further includes a time memory unit 14 that periodically stores the time measured by the clock circuit 16, and a display unit 18 that displays a setting screen for setting the current time, including the most recent time stored in the time memory unit 14, and the control unit 12 sets the current time based on the time information input to the setting screen.

Since such a power metering device 10 periodically (e.g., every minute) stores the time measured by the clock circuit 16 in the time memory unit 14, even if the facility 50 experiences a power outage, the time can be periodically stored until the power supply to the clock circuit 16 is turned off. Therefore, the latest time stored in the time memory unit 14 is closest to the current time. Therefore, the power metering device 10 can present a time close to the current time on the setting screen, reducing errors in setting the current time by the user.

Also, for example, in the power measurement device 10 according to the embodiment, the control unit 12 indicates that the latest time displayed on the setting screen is not the correct current time.

Such a power measuring device 10 informs the user that the latest time displayed on the setting screen is not the accurate current time, allowing the user to set the current time more reliably.

For example, the power measurement device 10 according to the embodiment further includes a communication unit 11 that receives time information held by the external device 60 from the external device 60, and the control unit 12 sets the current time based on the received time information.

Such a power measurement device 10 uses the time information held by the external device 60 to set the current time, making it possible to set the current time more accurately and easily.

For example, the distribution board 20 according to the embodiment includes any one of the power measurement devices 10 described above.

When the time of the clock circuit 16 is initialized, the distribution board 20 determines whether or not to erase the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 based on the current time set by the power measurement device 10 after initialization. Therefore, the distribution board 20 does not erase the power consumption data linked to a time in the future than the initialized time when the time is initialized. Therefore, the distribution board 20 can prevent the power consumption data stored in the memory unit 13 from being erased when the time of the clock circuit 16 is initialized.

Other Embodiments
Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, in the above embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

In the above embodiment, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

In addition, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. In addition, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

The general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The present invention may also be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

The order of the multiple processes in the operation of the power measurement device described in the above embodiment is an example. The order of the multiple processes may be changed, and the multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art may conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Power measurement device 11 Communication unit 12 Control unit 13 Memory unit 14 Time memory unit 15 Measurement circuit 16 Clock circuit 17 Backup power supply 18 Display unit 19 Reception unit 20 Distribution board 32 Branch circuit 50 Facility 60 External device

Claims (8)

A measurement circuit that measures power consumption in a branch circuit installed in the facility;
A clock circuit for measuring time;
a storage unit for storing power consumption data in which the power consumption measured by the measurement circuit is associated with a time measured by the clock circuit;
a control unit that determines whether or not to erase the power consumption data stored in the storage unit based on a current time that is set in the clock circuit after power supply to the clock circuit is turned off and the time measured by the clock circuit is initialized;
A power measuring device comprising: a backup power source for use by the clock circuit when the facility experiences a power outage;
The power measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply to the clock circuit is power supply from the backup power source to the clock circuit. The control unit is
determining that power consumption data indicating power consumption associated with a time in the future than the current time set in the clock circuit should be erased from the power consumption data stored in the storage unit;
The power measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: determining not to erase power consumption data indicating power consumption linked to a time earlier than the current time set in the clock circuit, among the power consumption data stored in the memory unit. moreover,
a time storage unit that periodically stores the time kept by the clock circuit;
a display unit that displays a setting screen for setting the current time, the setting screen including the latest time stored in the time storage unit;
4. The power measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the current time based on time information inputted into the setting screen. The power measurement device according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit indicates that the latest time displayed on the setting screen is not the correct current time. Further, a communication unit is provided for receiving time information held by an external device from the external device,
4. The power measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the current time based on the received time information. The power measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit presents a notification to a user to prompt confirmation of setting the current time. A power measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Distribution board.