Power supply device

Abstract

To provide a power supply device capable of taking measures against residual quantity reduction or depletion of a storage battery.SOLUTION: According to a power supply device as a power supply device comprising a storage battery for storing power generated by the power supply device, a voltage sensor for measuring a voltage of the storage battery, and a control device for electrically controlling an electrical apparatus to which power is supplied from the storage battery; a plurality of threshold values are set to the voltage of the storage battery or consumption power of the electrical apparatus, and the electrical apparatus has a function corresponding to a mode concerning the consumption power. The control device controls the function of the electrical apparatus by determining the mode concerning the consumption power, from a result obtained by comparing the measured voltage of the storage battery by the voltage sensor or actual consumption power of the electrical apparatus with the threshold values.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply device that stores electric power generated by a power generation device in a storage battery, supplies electric power from the storage battery to an electric device, and is equipped with a control device that controls the electric device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Power supply devices have been developed that include a power generation device such as a solar power generation device, which is a type of renewable energy power generation device, and a storage battery that stores the electricity generated by the power generation device, and that are capable of supplying power to electrical equipment such as heating and cooling equipment including vending machines.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional technology that includes a vending machine equipped with solar panels on the roof, which does not have a storage battery and supplies part of the electricity used, and improves the amount of power generated by making the solar panels a sun-tracking type. Patent Document 2 discloses a conventional technology that uses a solar panel and an emergency battery as a power source, and in an emergency such as a disaster, provides various information from the police, fire department, disaster countermeasure headquarters, etc. via wireless or wired communication from the vending machine. Patent Document 3 discloses a conventional technology in which a vending machine equipped with a storage battery and a solar power generation unit is attached to the outer door of the vending machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-89330 [Patent Document 2] JP 2011-39768 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2014-10813 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the event of a power outage due to a disaster or the like, electrical equipment such as vending machines that use a system power source (commercial power source) as a power source will stop. Therefore, electrical equipment equipped with a renewable energy power generation device such as the conventional technologies in the above patent documents is known. However, in the conventional technology in which a solar power generation device supplies part of the power used without a storage battery as in Patent Document 1, there is a high possibility that the vending machine will stop functioning because it cannot cover all the power consumption in the event of a power outage. On the other hand, even in the conventional technologies in Patent Documents 2 and 3 above that are equipped with an emergency battery and a storage battery, if the built-in emergency battery and storage battery run low or run out, the vending machine will not be able to perform its normal functions such as providing products. For example, the heating / cooling unit (especially the heating unit) in the vending machine consumes a lot of power, and these functions must be stopped, so it will not be possible to provide products at the original temperature. Furthermore, it will not be possible to perform even the minimum functions such as providing products. Therefore, measures are needed to deal with the low or exhausted battery charge. However, the above patent documents do not disclose or suggest any such measures.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT In order to solve the above problems of the conventional technology, an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device capable of taking measures against a decrease in the remaining capacity or depletion of a storage battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a power supply device according to the present invention comprises: A power supply device including a power generation device, a storage battery that stores electric power generated by the power generation device, a voltage sensor that measures a voltage of the storage battery, and a control device that electrically controls an electric device to which electric power is supplied from the storage battery, A plurality of threshold values ​​are set for the voltage of the storage battery, and the electrical device has a function corresponding to a mode related to power consumption, The control device determines a mode related to the power consumption based on a result of comparing the voltage measured by the voltage sensor of the storage battery with the threshold value, and controls the function of the electrical device.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the power supply device according to the present invention includes at least a power supply device including a renewable energy power supply device and a storage battery for storing the power generated by the power supply device, so that electrical equipment such as vending machines can be operated in mountainous areas or coastal areas without a system power supply, or at outdoor events, and furthermore, even if the system power supply is interrupted due to a disaster or the like, electrical equipment such as vending machines can be operated. Therefore, for example, the power supply device can be a mobile independent power supply device equipped with a vending machine or the like that can operate with renewable energy even in places without a system power supply, and can be a mobile independent power supply device equipped with a vending machine that can operate with renewable energy and perform normal functions even during a power outage due to a disaster or the like. Furthermore, for example, when using renewable energy as described above, it can contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions during the operation of vending machines, and can be an environmentally friendly mobile independent power supply device equipped with a vending machine. Note that the threshold value may be one, and determining the mode related to the power consumption and controlling the function of the electrical equipment based on the comparison result may include, for example, transmitting a control signal for determining the mode to the electrical equipment, or outputting power according to the mode to the electrical equipment.

[0009] For example, the power supply device according to the present invention can take at least the following forms: It can be a mobile independent power supply device that has a renewable energy power generation device and a storage battery and can be easily moved and installed, and can supply power to electrical equipment such as vending machines by utilizing the power generated by the mobile independent power supply device. In order to operate electrical equipment such as vending machines even in a state where there is a long period of insufficient sunlight or low wind conditions, the power supply device can monitor the voltage of the storage battery mounted on the mobile independent power supply device as described below, and when the storage battery voltage drops, the operation mode of the electrical equipment is changed to reduce the power consumption of the electrical equipment according to a voltage value set arbitrarily, and similarly, when the amount of electricity stored in the storage battery improves and the storage battery voltage rises, the power supply device can change the operation of the vending machine according to a voltage value set arbitrarily.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the power supply device of the present invention has a function corresponding to the mode of the electric device related to power consumption, and the control device determines the mode related to power consumption based on the result of comparing the voltage measured by the voltage sensor of the storage battery (or the actual power consumption of the electric device) with the threshold value, and controls the function of the electric device. Therefore, when the power supply device of the present invention determines, for example, a voltage drop of the storage battery, i.e., a drop in the remaining capacity of the storage battery, based on the result of the comparison, it is possible to control the function of the electric device to suppress power consumption, and therefore it is possible to take measures against a drop in the remaining capacity or exhaustion of the storage battery. For example, as a measure, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the electric device when the remaining capacity of the storage battery is low.

[0011] When the measured voltage of the storage battery falls below a threshold value to be compared, the control device may transmit a control signal to the electric device to switch the electric device to the mode in which the electric device consumes less power. With this configuration, for example, a voltage drop in the storage battery, i.e., a drop in the remaining capacity of the storage battery, can be detected, and the function of the electric device can be controlled in response to this as described above to reduce power consumption. Furthermore, when the measured voltage of the storage battery is equal to or greater than a threshold value to be compared, the control device may transmit a control signal to the electric device to set the electric device to the mode in which the electric device increases the power consumed by the electric device. With this configuration, for example, recovery from a voltage drop in the storage battery, i.e., recovery from a drop in the remaining capacity of the storage battery, can be grasped, so that the function of the electric device can be restored to a previous function, or even to a normal function. For example, when power generation by a renewable energy power generation device such as a solar power generation device or a wind power generation device is resumed due to recovery of sunlight or wind power, the remaining capacity (capacity) of the storage battery increases and exceeds a set threshold, the operation of an electric device such as a vending machine can be restored from a low power consumption operation mode to a normal operation operation mode. Note that instead of transmitting the control signal to set the mode to the electric device, for example, power according to the mode may be output to the electric device.

[0012] The power generation device may be at least one of a solar power generation device, a wind power generation device, and a hydroelectric power generation device, and the electrical device may be a vending machine. With this configuration, the power generation device may be at least one of a solar power generation device, a wind power generation device, and a hydroelectric power generation device, which are renewable energy power generation devices, and the power consumption of the electrical device, the vending machine, may be suppressed, and the function of the electrical device, the vending machine, may be restored. More specifically, even in a state where the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device or the wind power generation device is reduced due to a long period of insufficient sunlight, low wind conditions, or low water volume, and the charge amount (or remaining capacity) of the storage battery is reduced, the voltage of the storage battery is monitored, and the power consumption of the vending machine is reduced. In order to reduce the power consumption of the vending machine, a function of determining an operation (function) mode of the vending machine related to the power consumption based on the comparison result and controlling the function of the vending machine (typically, limiting the number of vending machines in operation and the functions) can be realized. Here, the limit on the number of operating units is, for example, to reduce the number of electrical devices (vending machines) connected to one control panel from two to one in response to a drop in the voltage of the storage battery (a drop in the amount of charge), and if the voltage continues to drop even after the number of units is reduced, the function of one electrical device may be limited as described above.Similarly, when the amount of power generated by a solar power generation device or a wind power generation device recovers, the amount of power stored in the storage battery improves, and the storage battery voltage rises, the operation and function of the vending machine can be returned to its previous function, or even to normal function, and if the number of operating units was further limited, the number of operating units can be restored to the original state.

[0013] The threshold value may relate to at least one of the following for the vending machine: (i) selection of a storage room for products, (ii) power supply to an electric heater or a heating compressor, (iii) power supply to a cooling compressor, (iv) power supply to lighting, and (v) power supply to a product vending function, and (vi) the number of operating vending machines. The product vending function includes a function for discharging products from a storage room, settling the product price, and the like. With this configuration, the functions of the vending machine as an electric device can be specifically controlled in stages, for example as in (i) to (v) above, to suppress the power consumption and restore the functions in the vending machine as an electric device.

[0014] The threshold may be changed according to at least one of the measurement value or degree of change of the voltage sensor, the measurement value or degree of change of the sensor related to illuminance, the measurement value or degree of change of the sensor related to wind speed, the measurement value or degree of change of the sensor related to temperature and / or humidity, the measurement value or degree of change of the sensor related to air pressure, the value or degree of change of time, weather information, and past data. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid problems caused by fixing the threshold, such as a control signal for reducing the power consumed by the electrical device being transmitted to the electrical device based on a comparison with the threshold, but when it is estimated from wind speed, illuminance, temperature, humidity, degree of change of air pressure, time, weather information, or past learning data that the effect of not transmitting the control signal on the future decrease in the charge level of the storage battery is small, a uniform transmission of the control signal can be performed to avoid problems such as a restriction of the functions of the electrical device or a control of the decrease in the functions that makes it impossible to provide normal products or services, and thus it is possible to flexibly realize the suppression of power consumption and the restoration of the functions.

[0015] The storage battery may be connected to a commercial power grid and charged from the power grid. This configuration allows for concurrent use of power grids, and in places where power can be supplied from the power grid, the storage battery can also be charged from the power grid. This avoids cases where the storage battery is charged only from a generator, for example, where the charge of the storage battery decreases depending on the decrease in the amount of power generated by the generator. When the power grid is interrupted by a disaster or other reason, the storage battery performs the above-mentioned functions using the power from the storage battery. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The power supply device according to the present invention can take measures against a decrease in remaining capacity or exhaustion of the storage battery. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a power supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is a mobile independent power supply device in which a renewable energy power generation device is installed on the frame, walls, and ceiling of a housing. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the inside of the mobile independent power supply device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile independent power supply device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the operation of the power supply device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram of the operation of the power supply device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] A power supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an electrical device using the power supply device will be described with reference to the drawings. The power supply device of this embodiment will be described using a mobile independent power supply device as an example, and the electrical device will be described using a vending machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a vending machine) as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. FIG. 1 shows a mobile independent power supply device (hereinafter simply referred to as a power supply device) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a renewable energy power generation device is installed on the frame, wall, or ceiling of a housing. The power supply device 1 may be equipped with a housing 200, which is a container or the like, for example, from the viewpoint of portability, and at least one of a solar panel (photovoltaic power generation device) 110 and a windmill (wind power generation device) 130 (both as shown in FIG. 1 in this embodiment) is installed on the frame, wall, ceiling, or the like of the container 200. The solar power generation device 110 and the wind power generation device 130 are examples of a power generation device 100, and are, for example, renewable energy power generation devices. Note that the renewable energy power generation device is not limited to these, and a hydroelectric power generation device, a gas power generation device, or the like may be used. The wind turbine 130 is preferably a vertical axis wind turbine, which is highly silent.

[0019] Here, the mobile independent power supply device is, for example, a device that can supply power to electrical equipment without being supplied with power from a system power source (commercial power source) by being equipped with a renewable energy power generation device, can supply stable power by being equipped with a storage battery described below, and is compact and portable by packaging the renewable energy power generation device, storage battery, etc. in the above-mentioned housing. Note that, for example, by connecting the power supply device 1 to a system power source, it is not excluded that the storage battery is charged from the system power source and electrical equipment, etc. are supplied with power. This is beneficial as it acts as a backup when the remaining battery level is low due to insufficient wind power or insufficient sunlight. Note that in this embodiment, the power supply device 1 can be connected to a system power source 710 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply device 1 of the present invention includes at least the power generation device 100, a storage battery 700 that stores the power generated by the power generation device 100, a voltage sensor 511 (described later) that measures the voltage of the storage battery 700, and a control device 300 that electrically controls the electrical device 900 to which power is supplied from the storage battery 700. The control device 300 is, for example, a power conversion device such as a power conditioner, and includes a ROM having a control program therein and a processor that executes the control program. For example, the control device 300 and the power storage device 700 are mounted in a container 200. A vending machine 910, which is an example of the electrical device 900, is disposed in the container 200 or near the outside of the container 200, but is disposed in the container 200 in this embodiment. Note that the operating power of the vending machine 910 is supplied from the storage battery 700 mounted in the container 200 regardless of the placement position. Note that the electrical device 900 may be supplied with power from a system power source 710. The power stored in the storage battery 700 is converted to AC by an inverter (not shown) and supplied to a vending machine 910 and the like. Lighting 250 and furniture 270 such as chairs and desks may also be provided inside the container 200. The wall 210 to which the generator 100 is not attached may be removed.

[0021] In the power supply device 1 having the housing 200 such as the container, the power generation device 100 is attached to the roof or wall of the housing 200, for example, so that the structure can withstand typhoons and earthquakes. The vending machine 910 inside or outside the housing is fixed using the floor, pillars, walls, etc. of the housing 200, so that the risk of the housing 200 falling over during a typhoon or earthquake can be reduced. Furthermore, in the power supply device 1, a rest space that allows people to enter and exit can be provided inside the housing 200, and the housing 200 can be installed not only permanently but also temporarily at an event venue such as a concert or festival, and moved (removed) after the event is over. In this embodiment, the control device 300 and the power storage device 700 are separated inside the container 200 by the partition 220, so that the transmission of heat and sound to a rest space provided with furniture 270 or the like can be reduced.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the power generation device 100, the electric device 900, the storage battery 700, the system power supply 710, each sensor 540, and the communication device 310 are connected to the control device 300 by power lines via, for example, a voltage sensor 511. In this embodiment, the control device 300 receives state data such as power consumption, in-fridge information (for example, information on the number of storage compartments and whether the storage compartment is a hot compartment, a cold compartment, or a room temperature compartment) from a vending machine 910, which is the electric device 900, and outputs a (control) signal to the vending machine 910, which will be described later. The control device 300 receives inputs of the storage battery voltage from the voltage sensor 511 and various detection data from each sensor 540. Furthermore, the control device 300 receives inputs of communication data, which are various data on the Internet 521 and wireless data 530, via the communication device 310 (bidirectional communication). The input and output of such data may be either wired communication using an RS232C serial line or wireless communication using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or the like. The control device 300 processes external information such as the various detection data and communication data described above, determines the operation mode of the vending machine described below, monitors the status of the vending machine, and performs remote monitoring and remote control (changing the operation mode of the vending machine, monitoring the power generation device / storage battery, locking the container 200, etc.) The control device 300 also electrically controls the power generation device 100 and the power storage device 700 (not shown).

[0023] The sensors 540 include, for example, a GPS sensor 541, a temperature and humidity sensor 542, an illuminance sensor 543, an anemometer 544, a seismic intensity sensor 545, and a motion detection sensor 546. The wireless data, etc. 530 include, for example, weather forecast data 531, emergency earthquake alerts 532, J-Alert and L-Alert 533, etc. The various two-way data on the Internet 521 include, for example, remote monitoring / control data for the vending machine, the power generation device, the storage battery, and the container 200, and data from communication spots. In this embodiment, the sensor data values ​​from the sensors 540, the wireless data, etc. 530, and the various data on the Internet 521 are positioned as options used to determine whether to switch the operation mode of the vending machine.

[0024] In this embodiment, a plurality of thresholds are set for the voltage of the storage battery 700 or the power consumption of the electrical device 900. Moreover, the electrical device 900 has a function corresponding to the mode related to the power consumption. The control device 300 determines the mode related to the power consumption based on the result of comparing the measured voltage of the storage battery 700 by the voltage sensor 511 or the actual power consumption of the electrical device 900 with the threshold, and controls the function of the electrical device 900. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a plurality of thresholds are set for the voltage of the storage battery 700, and the mode related to the power consumption is determined based on the result of comparing the measured voltage of the storage battery 700 by the voltage sensor 511 with the threshold. Here, the mode related to the power consumption indicates that the mode of the operation of the electrical device is determined according to the magnitude of the power consumption, and the above-mentioned mode change includes, for example, stopping one of the rooms in a vending machine, for example, the hot room, which consumes the most power, lowering the hot temperature, raising the cold temperature, etc., when three rooms, a hot room, a cold room, and a room temperature room, can be assigned to the storage room in the storehouse.

[0025] In the power supply device 1 of this embodiment, when the measured voltage of the storage battery 700 (or the actual power consumption of the electrical device 900) falls below the threshold value to be compared, the control device 300 transmits to the electrical device 900 a control signal to switch the electrical device 900 to the mode in which the electrical power consumed by the electrical device 900 is reduced. Furthermore, in the power supply device 1 of this embodiment, when the measured voltage of the storage battery 700 (or the actual power consumption of the electrical device 900) is equal to or higher than the threshold value to be compared, the control device 300 transmits to the electrical device 900 a control signal to switch the electrical device 900 to the mode in which the electrical power consumed by the electrical device 900 is increased. For example, in the case of vending machine 910, which is an example of electrical equipment 900, the threshold value relates to at least one of the following: selection of a storage compartment for products such as canned drinks and PET bottle drinks (selection of whether to stop the warming operation from the hot compartment, cold compartment, or normal temperature compartment), power supply to an electric heater or heating compressor for hot drinks, power supply to a cooling compressor for cold drinks, power supply to lighting on the main surface of the vending machine, and power supply to a vending function for the above products (such as automatic sales of products after payment is inserted and product selection).The threshold value may relate to a limit on the number of operating vending machines out of a plurality of vending machines.

[0026] In light of the above, an example of the operation of the power supply device 1 used in the vending machine 910 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4, which is an example of an operation flow diagram. When the power supply device 1 and the vending machine 910 are started, the voltage V of the storage battery 700 is measured by the voltage sensor 511 in step S1. Next, this measured voltage V is compared with each of the threshold values ​​Vthk (k=1, 2, ..., N) to be compared (steps S2, S4, S6, and S8 in the figure). Here, for example, the threshold value Vth1 is a threshold value for whether or not to continue normal operation, the threshold value Vth2 is a threshold value for whether or not to stop one of the heating units of multiple hot rooms (stopping the supply of power to the electric heater or heating compressor), the threshold value Vth3 is a threshold value for whether or not to stop the heating units of all hot rooms, and the threshold value VthN is a threshold value for whether or not to stop the cooling unit (stopping the cooling compressor) (lighting and the product provision system are stopped below the threshold value VthN). In addition, in Figures 4 and 5, the comparison of the measured voltage V with the threshold value may be replaced with a comparison of the actual power consumption Q of the electrical equipment with the power threshold value when multiple power threshold values ​​are set for the power consumption of an electrical equipment such as a vending machine.

[0027] In step S2, if the measured voltage V is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vth1 to be compared, a signal for operating condition (1), which is normal operation, is sent to the vending machine 910, and the vending machine 910 continues to operate under operating condition (1), and the flow returns to step S1 (step S3), and if it is less than threshold value Vth1, a comparison is made with each threshold value less than threshold value Vth2 (transition to step S4). Next, in step S4, if the measured voltage V is equal to or greater than threshold value Vth2 to be compared, a signal for operating condition (2), which is power consumption reduction mode A, is sent to the vending machine 910, and the vending machine 910 operates under operating condition (2), and the flow returns to step S1 (step S5), and if it is less than threshold value Vth2, transition is made to step S6.

[0028] Next, in step S6, if the measured voltage V is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vth3 to be compared, a signal for the operating condition (3) of the power consumption reduction mode B is sent to the vending machine 910, the vending machine 910 operates under the operating condition (3), and the flow returns to step S1 (step S7), and if it is less than the threshold value Vth2, a comparison is made with each of the next threshold values. The above is repeated in the same manner, and finally, in step S8, if the measured voltage V is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vthn to be compared, a signal for the operating condition (N) of the power consumption reduction mode X is sent to the vending machine 910, the vending machine 910 operates under the operating condition (N), and the flow returns to step S1 (step S9), and if it is less than the threshold value Vthn, in step S10, a signal for the operating condition (N+1) to stop operation is sent to the vending machine 910, the vending machine 910 operates under the operating condition (N+1) (stops operation), and the flow returns to step S1.

[0029] In the above, for example, power consumption reduction mode A is a mode in which the heating unit of one of multiple hot chambers is stopped (power supply to the electric heater or heating compressor is stopped), power consumption reduction mode B is a mode in which the heating units of all hot chambers are stopped, and power consumption reduction mode X is a mode in which the cooling unit is stopped (the cooling compressor is stopped).

[0030] Another example of the operation of the power supply device 1 used in the vending machine 910 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5, which is an example of a state transition diagram of the operation. When the power supply device 1 and the vending machine 910 are started, first in state ST1, a signal of the operating condition (1), which is the normal operation, is sent to the vending machine 910, and the vending machine 910 continues to operate under the operating condition (1). Then, the voltage V of the storage battery 700 is measured by the voltage sensor 511, and this measured voltage V is compared with the threshold value Vth1, which is the comparison target. If the measured voltage V is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vth1, the state remains in state ST1, and if it is less than the threshold value Vth1, the state transitions to state ST2. Next, in state ST2, a signal of the operating condition (2), which is the power consumption reduction mode A, is sent to the vending machine 910 to operate the vending machine 910 under the operating condition (2). Then, the voltage V of the storage battery 700 is measured by the voltage sensor 511, and this measured voltage V is compared with the threshold values ​​Vth1 and Vth2, which are the comparison targets. If the measured voltage V is equal to or greater than the threshold Vth1, the state returns to state ST1; if it is less than threshold Vth1 and equal to or greater than threshold Vth2, the state remains in state ST2; if it is less than threshold Vth2, the state transitions to state ST3.

[0031] Next, in state ST3, a signal of operating condition (3), which is the power consumption reduction mode B, is sent to the vending machine 910 to operate the vending machine 910 under operating condition (2). After that, the voltage V of the storage battery 700 is measured by the voltage sensor 511, and this measured voltage V is compared with the threshold values ​​Vth2 and Vth3 described above as comparison targets. If the measured voltage V is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vth2, the state returns to state ST2, if it is less than the threshold value Vth2 and equal to or greater than the threshold value Vth3, the state remains in state ST3, and if it is less than the threshold value Vth3, the state transitions to the next state. The above is repeated in the same manner, and finally, in state ST(N+1) where the measured voltage V is less than threshold value Vthn, a signal for operating condition (N+1) which stops operation is sent to the vending machine 910, and the vending machine 910 operates under operating condition (N+1) (stops operation), the voltage V of the storage battery 700 is measured by the voltage sensor 511, and the measured voltage V is compared with threshold value Vth(n-1) and threshold value Vthn, and a state transition or state maintenance is performed.

[0032] As can be seen from the figure, the example of the flow diagram in FIG. 4 is an example in which a transition is made to a specified operating condition (operation content, function) absolutely by comparing the measured voltage with a threshold value, and the example of the state transition diagram in FIG. 5 is an example in which a transition is made relatively one step forward or backward by comparing the measured voltage with a threshold value. For example, the absolute transition in the example of FIG. 4 is suitable when it is necessary to transition to a specified operating condition quickly according to the measured voltage, and the relative transition in the example of FIG. 5 is suitable when it is necessary to avoid a sudden change in the operating condition. Here, the operation of the power supply device 1 may be a mixture of absolute transition and relative transition, and for example, when the transition is made from operating condition (1) ⇒ operating condition (2) ⇒ operating condition (3) ⇒ ... ⇒ operating condition (N+1), it may be an absolute transition, and when the transition is made from operating condition (N+1) ⇒ ... ⇒ operating condition (3) ⇒ operating condition (2) ⇒ operating condition (1), it may be a relative transition. In this embodiment, energy is saved in order to make the stored power of the storage battery 700 last longer than in the past in accordance with the remaining capacity of the storage battery 700. However, since it is preferable to select a vending service that is closer to normal operation, a mixture of absolute transitions and relative transitions as described above is appropriate. For example, when transitioning from operating condition (1) ⇒ operating condition (2) ⇒ operating condition (3) ⇒ ... ⇒ operating condition (N+1), it is preferable to use relative transitions to gradually reduce power consumption, and when transitioning back from operating condition (N+1) ⇒ ... ⇒ operating condition (3) ⇒ operating condition (2) ⇒ operating condition (1), it is preferable to use absolute transitions in order to quickly select a service that is closer to normal operation.

[0033] Here, the threshold value may be increased, decreased or changed according to at least one of the measurement value or degree of change of the voltage sensor, the measurement value or degree of change of a sensor related to illuminance, or the hours of sunshine or degree of change, the measurement value or degree of change of a sensor related to wind speed (wind force), the measurement value or degree of change of a sensor related to temperature such as outside air temperature or a sensor related to humidity, the measurement value or degree of change of a sensor related to air pressure (not shown in FIG. 3), a value or degree of change related to time such as date, time, etc., weather information, and past data. With this configuration, the disadvantages of setting a fixed threshold, i.e., the disadvantages of comparing with the above-mentioned determined threshold, for example, a control signal for reducing the power consumed by the electrical device must be transmitted to the electrical device based on the comparison with the above-mentioned threshold, but if it can be estimated from the degree of change in wind speed or illuminance, the time, weather information, etc., or from past learning data, etc., that not transmitting the above-mentioned transmission will have little impact on the future decrease in the charge level of the storage battery, it is possible to avoid the disadvantages of transmitting the above-mentioned transmission uniformly, such as restricting the functions of the electrical device or controlling the degradation of their functions, which makes it impossible to provide normal products and services, and therefore it is possible to flexibly reduce the power consumption and restore the above-mentioned functions.

[0034] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Power supply 100 Power generation equipment 110 Solar panels (photovoltaic power generation equipment) 130 Windmill (wind power generation equipment) 300 Control device 511 Voltage Sensor 700 Battery 900 Electrical Equipment 910 Vending Machine

Claims

1. A power supply device including a power generation device, a storage battery that stores electric power generated by the power generation device, a voltage sensor that measures a voltage of the storage battery, and a control device that electrically controls an electric device to which electric power is supplied from the storage battery, A plurality of threshold values ​​are set for the voltage of the storage battery, and the electrical device has a function corresponding to a mode related to power consumption, the control device determines a mode related to the power consumption based on a result of comparing the voltage measured by the voltage sensor of the storage battery with the threshold value, and controls a function of the electrical device. power supply.

2. 2. The power supply device according to claim 1, When the measured voltage of the storage battery falls below a threshold value to be compared, the control device transmits a control signal to the electrical equipment to switch the electrical equipment to a mode in which the electrical equipment consumes less power. power supply.

3. 2. The power supply device according to claim 1, When the measured voltage of the storage battery is equal to or higher than a threshold value to be compared, the control device transmits a control signal to the electrical appliance to switch the electrical appliance to the mode in which the electrical appliance consumes more power. power supply.

4. 4. The power supply device according to claim 2, The power generation device is at least one of a solar power generation device, a wind power generation device, and a hydroelectric power generation device, and the electrical equipment is a vending machine. power supply.

5. 5. The power supply device according to claim 4, The threshold value is related to at least one of the following: selection of a storage room for products, power supply to an electric heater or a heating compressor, power supply to a cooling compressor, power supply to lighting, power supply to a product vending function, and the number of operating machines for the vending machine. power supply.

6. 6. The power supply device according to claim 5, changing the threshold value according to at least one of the measurement value or degree of change of the voltage sensor, the measurement value or degree of change of the sensor related to illuminance, the measurement value or degree of change of the sensor related to wind speed, the measurement value or degree of change of the sensor related to temperature and / or humidity, the measurement value or degree of change of the sensor related to air pressure, a value or degree of change related to time, weather information, and past data; power supply.

7. 2. The power supply device according to claim 1, The battery is connected to a commercial power system and is charged from the power system. power supply.

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