Blind device and control method

Abstract

To provide a blind device capable of appropriately controlling slats each having a solar battery cell function, and a control method.SOLUTION: A blind device includes two or more slats having a solar battery cell function, and a control unit controlling the two or more slats, the control unit being configured to execute specific control that restricts an operation of changing an angle of the two or more slats to an angle outside a predetermined range when a specific condition is satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a blind device and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a technique has been proposed for arranging solar cells (hereinafter, PV (Photovoltaic) cells) on the surfaces of slats in blind devices having slats. Also, a technique has been proposed for remotely controlling the slats of blind devices not having PV cells arranged on the slats (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 241131 Brochure Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a blind device in which PV cells are arranged on the slats, there are cases in which it is not desirable to arbitrarily change the slat angle because the PV cells generate electricity. For example, if the slat angle is arbitrarily changed while the PV cells are generating electricity, there is a possibility that the PV cells may break down unexpectedly.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a blind device and a control method that enable appropriate control of slats that function as solar cells. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the disclosure is a blind device comprising two or more slats that function as solar cells and a control unit that controls the two or more slats, the control unit performing specific control to restrict operations that change the angle of the two or more slats to angles outside a specified range when specific conditions are met.

[0007] One aspect of the disclosure is a control method comprising step A of controlling two or more slats having the function of solar cells, the step A including a step of performing specific control to restrict an operation of changing the angle of the two or more slats to an angle outside a specified range when a specific condition is satisfied. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a blind device and a control method that enable appropriate control of slats that function as solar cells. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a power management system 1 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a facility 100 according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a window shade device 140 according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the EMS 160 according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a slat group according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic.

[0011] [Embodiment] (Power Management System) A power management system according to an embodiment will be described below. The power management system may be simply referred to as a power system.

[0012] 1, the power management system 1 includes a facility 100. The power management system 1 may include a power management server 200.

[0013] Here, the facility 100 and the power management server 200 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network 11. The network 11 may include the Internet, a dedicated line such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN), or a mobile communication network.

[0014] The facility 100 is interconnected with the power grid 12, and may receive power from the power grid 12, or may supply power to the power grid 12. Power from the power grid 12 to the facility 100 may be referred to as forward flow power, purchased power, or demanded power. Power from the facility 100 to the power grid 12 may be referred to as reverse flow power or sold power. In FIG. 1, facilities 100A to 100C are illustrated as examples of the facility 100.

[0015] Although not particularly limited, the facility 100 may be a facility such as a residence, a facility such as a store, or a facility such as an office. The facility 100 may be an apartment building including two or more residences. The facility 100 may be a complex including at least two or more of the following facilities: a residence, a store, and an office. Details of the facility 100 will be described later (see FIG. 2).

[0016] The power management server 200 may be managed by a business operator such as a local power company. The local power company may be a power company operated by a local government or the like. The power management server 200 is a server managed by a business operator such as a power generation business operator, a power transmission and distribution business operator, a retail business operator, or a resource aggregator. The resource aggregator may be a power business operator that adjusts the power supply and demand balance of the power system 12 in a VPP (Virtual Power Plant). The adjustment of the power supply and demand balance may include a transaction (hereinafter, negawatt trading) in which reduced power of the demand power (flow power) of the facility 100 is exchanged for value. The adjustment of the power supply and demand balance may include a transaction in which increased power of reverse flow power is exchanged for value. The resource aggregator may be a power business operator that provides reverse flow power to a power generation business operator, a power transmission and distribution business operator, a retail business operator, or the like in a VPP.

[0017] (facility) A facility according to an embodiment will be described below. As shown in Fig. 2, the facility 100 includes a solar cell device 110, a power storage device 120, a fuel cell device 130, a blind device 140, a load device 150, and an EMS (Energy Management System) 160. The facility 100 may include a measuring device 190. Furthermore, the facility 100 may include a controller 170.

[0018] The solar cell device 110 is a distributed power source that generates power in response to light such as sunlight. For example, the solar cell device 110 is configured with a PCS (Power Conditioning System) and a solar panel. In the embodiment, the solar cell device 110 may be an example of a power generation device installed in the facility 100.

[0019] The power storage device 120 is a distributed power source that charges and discharges power. For example, the power storage device 120 is configured with a PCS and a power storage cell. In the embodiment, the power storage device 120 may be an example of a power storage device installed in the facility 100.

[0020] The fuel cell device 130 is a distributed power source that generates power using fuel. For example, the fuel cell device 130 is composed of a PCS and a fuel cell.

[0021] For example, the fuel cell device 130 may be a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC; Solid Oxide Fuel Cell), a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC; Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell), a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC; Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell), or a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC; Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell).

[0022] The blind device 140 is a device that is attached to a window in a predetermined space and has a solar cell (hereinafter, referred to as a PV (Photovoltaic) cell). The predetermined space may be a room in the facility 100 or a floor of the facility 100. The blind device 140 is a device that can block sunlight into the predetermined space in which it is installed. The blind device 140 may be attached inside the predetermined space from the window, or may be attached outside the predetermined space from the window. Specifically, the blind device 140 is a device that has a plurality of slats and operates the plurality of slats by a motor or the like.

[0023] The slats have a rectangular front surface and a rectangular back surface. The rectangular front surface may be a convex surface that is curved so as to protrude slightly (hereinafter referred to as a convex surface). The rectangular back surface may be a concave surface that is curved so as to be slightly recessed (hereinafter referred to as a concave surface). The control of the slats may include control of at least one of rolling up the slats, unrolling the slats, and adjusting the angle of the slats. The control of the slats may also include control of some of the multiple slats. In other words, the control of the slats may include control of a predetermined number of the multiple slats.

[0024] The blind device 140 may be a horizontal type in which slats extending along a horizontal direction relative to the ground or floor surface are arranged vertically relative to the ground or floor surface, or a vertical type in which slats extending along a vertical direction relative to the ground or floor surface are arranged horizontally relative to the ground or floor surface. The blind device 140 may be called an electric blind. The blind device 140 may be called an electric blind with PV.

[0025] In the embodiment, the blind device 140 has slats on which PV cells are arranged. The PV cells are arranged on the surfaces of the slats. Specifically, the PV cells are arranged on the convex surfaces of the slats. The PV cells may also be arranged on the concave surfaces of the slats, or on both the convex and concave surfaces of the slats. Therefore, the blind device 140 may be considered as an example of a distributed power source that generates power in response to light such as sunlight. The blind device 140 may or may not include a PCS. The PCS of the solar cell device 110 may be used as the PCS of the PV cells arranged on the slats. Details of the blind device 140 will be described later (see FIG. 3).

[0026] The load device 150 is a device that consumes power. For example, the load device 150 may include an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of a predetermined space, or may include a lighting device that adjusts the illuminance of the predetermined space. The air conditioner and the lighting device are examples of a predetermined device that adjusts the environment of the predetermined space. The air conditioner and the lighting device may be considered to be devices that are affected by the operation of the blind device 140. The load device 150 may include a video device, an audio device, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a personal computer, and the like.

[0027] The EMS 160 manages the power related to the facility 100. The EMS 160 may control the solar cell device 110, the power storage device 120, the fuel cell device 130, the window shade device 140, and the load device 150. In the embodiment, the EMS 160 is illustrated as an example of a device that receives a control command from the power management server 200, but such a device may be referred to as a Gateway or simply as a control unit. Details of the EMS 160 will be described later (see FIG. 4).

[0028] The controller 170 is a controller for controlling the blind device 140. The controller 170 may be a controller that directly communicates with the blind device 140 by short-range wireless communication such as infrared communication or Bluetooth (registered trademark), or may be a controller that indirectly communicates with the blind device 140 via the EMS 160 through a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. The controller 170 may be a controller dedicated to the blind device 140, or may be a communication device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0029] The measuring device 190 measures forward flow power from the power system 12 to the facility 100. The measuring device 190 may measure reverse flow power from the facility 100 to the power system 12. For example, the measuring device 190 may be a smart meter belonging to a power company. The measuring device 190 may transmit an information element indicating a measurement result (an integrated value of forward flow power or reverse flow power) in a first interval (e.g., 30 minutes) to the EMS 160 at the first interval. The measuring device 190 may transmit an information element indicating a measurement result in a second interval (e.g., 1 minute) shorter than the first interval to the EMS 160.

[0030] (Blind device) The following describes a blind device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG.

[0031] The communication unit 141 is configured by a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module conforming to a standard such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, LTE, 5G, or 6G, or may be a wired communication module conforming to a standard such as IEEE802.3.

[0032] For example, the communication unit 141 controls communication between the blind device 140 and the EMS 160. In other words, the communication unit 141 communicates with the EMS 160. Such communication is performed using a protocol that complies with the second protocol. In the following, ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) is mainly exemplified as the second protocol.

[0033] First, the information element included in the message used in the communication may include an information element for specifying the operation mode of the blind device 140.

[0034] Such a message may include a message (e.g., a SET command) instructing to control the blind device 140 in an operation mode, and may include a message (e.g., a GET command) requesting an operation mode applied to the blind device 140. Such a message may include a message (e.g., a GET response command, an INF command) informing the blind device 140 of an operation mode applied to the blind device 140. The GET response command is a command transmitted in response to a GET command, and the INF command is a message transmitted autonomously by the blind device 140.

[0035] The SET command includes an information element for the blind device 140 to specify the operation mode of the blind device 140. The GET response command and the INF command include an information element for the EMS 160 to specify the operation mode of the blind device 140.

[0036] The slats 142 are members that adjust the amount of sunlight in the space in which the blind device 140 is installed. PV cells may be arranged on the surfaces of the slats 142.

[0037] The control unit 143 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured by a single integrated circuit (IC), or may be configured by a plurality of circuits (such as integrated circuits and / or discrete circuits) communicatively connected to each other.

[0038] Specifically, the control unit 143 controls the blind device 140. For example, the control unit 143 may execute at least one control of winding up the slats 142, unwinding the slats 142, and adjusting the angle of the slats 142. The control unit 143 may also control some of the multiple slats 142. In other words, the control unit 143 may control a predetermined number of slats out of the multiple slats.

[0039] The operation modes of the blind device 140 may include at least any of the operation modes (first to fifth operation modes) shown below.

[0040] The first operation mode is an operation mode in which the angle of the slats 142 is adjusted to maximize the power generated by the PV cells. That is, in the first operation mode, the power generated by the PV cells is prioritized over the sunlight to a given space. The first operation mode may be referred to as a power generation priority mode.

[0041] The second operation mode is an operation mode for searching for the angle of the slat 142 that maximizes the power generation of the PV cell. Specifically, in the second operation mode, the angle of the slat 142 that maximizes the power generation of the PV cell is searched for by measuring the power generation of the PV cell while gradually changing the angle of the slat 142. The slat 142 whose angle is changed in the second operation mode may be a part of the multiple slats 142 provided in the blind device 140.

[0042] The third operation mode is an operation mode in which the angle of the slats 142 is adjusted based on at least one of the illuminance and the temperature of a predetermined space. Specifically, in the third operation mode, the angle of the slats 142 may be adjusted so that the illuminance of the predetermined space becomes a target illuminance. The sensor that detects the illuminance may be provided in the blind device 140, or may be configured to be able to communicate with the blind device 140. The target illuminance may be set by a user. In the third operation mode, the angle of the slats 142 may be adjusted so that the temperature of the predetermined space becomes a target temperature. The sensor that detects the temperature may be provided in the blind device 140, or may be configured to be able to communicate with the blind device 140. The target temperature may be set by a user. The third operation mode related to the temperature of the predetermined space may be referred to as a room temperature priority mode.

[0043] The fourth operating mode is an operating mode in which the angle of the slats 142 is adjusted to maximize the illuminance in a given space. That is, in the fourth operating mode, the sunlight to the given space is prioritized over the power generated by the PV cells. The fourth operating mode may be called a daylight priority mode.

[0044] The fifth operation mode is an operation mode in which the angle of the slats 142 is adjusted based on the power consumption of a specified device and the power generated by the PV cells. In other words, the fifth operation mode is an operation mode in which the power obtained by subtracting the power generated by the PV cells from the power consumption of the specified device is minimized. The fifth operation mode may be considered as an operation mode in which the power obtained by subtracting the power consumption of the specified device from the power generated by the PV cells is maximized. The fifth operation mode may be referred to as a power consumption priority mode.

[0045] (EMS) The EMS according to the embodiment will be described below. As shown in FIG.

[0046] The first communication unit 161 is configured by a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module conforming to a standard such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, LTE, 5G, or 6G, or may be a wired communication module conforming to a standard such as IEEE802.3.

[0047] For example, the first communication unit 161 communicates with the power management server 200 via the network 11. As described above, the first communication unit 161 communicates according to the first protocol. For example, the first communication unit 161 receives a first message from the power management server 200 according to the first protocol. The first communication unit 161 transmits a first message response to the power management server 200 according to the first protocol.

[0048] The second communication unit 162 is configured by a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module conforming to a standard such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, LTE, 5G, or 6G, or may be a wired communication module conforming to a standard such as IEEE802.3.

[0049] For example, the second communication unit 162 communicates with devices included in the facility 100 (the solar cell device 110, the power storage device 120, the fuel cell device 130, or the blind device 140). As described above, the second communication unit 162 communicates according to the second protocol. For example, the second communication unit 162 transmits a second message to the distributed power source according to the second protocol. The second communication unit 162 receives a second message response from the distributed power source according to the second protocol. As described above, the second message may be a message including an information element for identifying the operation mode of the blind device 140.

[0050] The control unit 163 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured by a single integrated circuit (IC), or may be configured by a plurality of circuits (such as integrated circuits and / or discrete circuits) communicatively connected.

[0051] Specifically, the control unit 163 controls each component installed in the EMS 160. For example, the control unit 163 instructs the blind device 140 to set the operation mode by transmitting a second message.

[0052] (Slat group) The slat group according to the embodiment will be described below. In Fig. 5, two or more slats 142 included in the blind device 140 are shown in schematic form.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, the two or more slats are classified into one of two or more first slat groups 142A, and also into one of two or more second slat groups 142B.

[0054] Each of the two or more first slat groups 142A is a group of slats having PV cells electrically connected in series. Specifically, the PV cells of the slats 142 constituting the first slat group 142A are electrically connected in series by a power line 145. The PV cells of the slats 142 constituting one end of the first slat group 142A are connected to an extraction electrode 146. The PV cells of the slats 142 constituting the other end of the first slat group 142A are also connected to an extraction electrode, but for simplicity of explanation, such a configuration is omitted in FIG. 5.

[0055] 5 illustrates an example in which one first slat group 142A includes five slats 142, but the number of slats 142 included in one first slat group 142A may be two or more. Therefore, the number of slats 142 included in one first slat group 142A may be four or less, or six or more. The number of slats 142 included in each first slat group 142A may be different for each first slat group 142A.

[0056] 5 illustrates an example in which the blind device 140 has three first slat groups 142A (i.e., first slat groups 142A-1 to 142A-3), but the number of first slat groups 142A in the blind device 140 may be two or more. Therefore, the number of first slat groups 142A may be two, or may be four or more.

[0057] Each of the two or more second slat groups 142B is a group of slats that can be controlled by the EMS 160. Each of the two or more second slat groups 142B may be considered to be a group of slats that can be driven by one motor 148. Specifically, the slats 142 constituting the second slat group 142B are connected to the motor 148 by a power line 147.

[0058] 5, second slat group 142B-1 and second slat group 142B-2 are illustrated as second slat group 142B. A case is illustrated in which second slat group 142B-1 includes five slats 142, and second slat group 142B-2 includes ten slats 142. The slats 142 constituting second slat group 142B-1 are connected to motor 148X, and the slats 142 constituting second slat group 142B-2 are connected to motor 148Y.

[0059] 5 illustrates a case where one second slat group 142B includes five or ten slats 142, but the number of slats 142 included in one second slat group 142B may be two or more. Therefore, the number of slats 142 included in one second slat group 142B may be four or less, six or more, nine or less, or eleven or more. The number of slats 142 included in each second slat group 142B may be different for each second slat group 142B.

[0060] 5 illustrates an example in which the blind device 140 has two second slat groups 142B (i.e., second slat group 142B-1 to second slat group 142B-2), but the number of second slat groups 142B in the blind device 140 may be two or more. Therefore, the number of second slat groups 142B may be three or more.

[0061] As described above, the first slat group 142A and the second slat group 142B are groups of slats that are grouped from different perspectives. Therefore, all of the two or more slats 142 in the blind device 140 are classified into one of the two or more first slat groups 142A. Similarly, all of the two or more slats 142 in the blind device 140 are classified into one of the two or more second slat groups 142B.

[0062] Under such a premise, each of the two or more first slat groups 142A is included in one of the two or more second slat groups 142B without straddling the boundary between the two or more second slat groups 142B. At least one of the two or more second slat groups 142B may include a plurality of the first slat groups 142A.

[0063] For example, in the case shown in FIG. 5, the first slat group 142A-1 is included in the second slat group 142B-1 without crossing the boundary between the second slat group 142B-1 and the second slat group 142B-2. The first slat group 142A-2 is included in the second slat group 142B-2 without crossing the boundary between the second slat group 142B-1 and the second slat group 142B-2. The first slat group 142A-3 is included in the second slat group 142B-2 without crossing the boundary between the second slat group 142B-1 and the second slat group 142B-2. The second slat group 142B-2 includes two first slat groups 142A (the first slat group 142A-2 and the first slat group 142A-3).

[0064] Since the second group of slats 142B is a group of slats controllable by the EMS 160, similar control may be applied simultaneously to two or more of the second group of slats 142B. The controllable group of slats 142 may be managed by the EMS 160 as a setting (e.g., operation restriction) of the EMS 160. Thus, the controllable group of slats may be driven by two or more motors 148. For example, a different motor 148 may be connected to each of all the slats 142 of the blind device 140.

[0065] (Example of operation) An example of operation according to the embodiment will be described below. In the embodiment, when a specific condition is satisfied, the control unit 143 executes specific control to restrict an operation of changing the angle of two or more slats 142 to an angle outside a predetermined range. The specific control may be considered to be control to restrict an operation using the controller 170 (hereinafter, manual operation). The control unit 143 may execute specific control for each of two or more second slat groups. In other words, the specific condition may be considered to be a condition that should be satisfied with priority over control of changing the angle of two or more slats 142 to an angle outside a predetermined range.

[0066] Specifically, when the control unit 143 receives an operation to change the angles of two or more slats 142 from a first angle within a predetermined range to a second angle within the predetermined range when a specific condition is satisfied, the control unit 143 does not execute the specific control, but executes the specific control when an operation to change the angles of two or more slats 142 from a third angle within the predetermined range to a fourth angle outside the predetermined range is received. In other words, when the control unit 143 receives an operation to change the angles of two or more slats 142 from a third angle within the predetermined range when a specific condition is satisfied, the control unit 143 executes the specific control to permit the operation to change the angles of two or more slats 142 when the angles of two or more slats 142 vary within a predetermined range, and executes the specific control to restrict the operation to change the angles of two or more slats 142 when the angles of two or more slats 142 change from an angle within the predetermined range to an angle outside the predetermined range. Also, when the first angle and the second angle are the same angle, the control unit 143 may not accept the operation to change the angles of two or more slats 142.

[0067] First, the specific condition may include a condition (hereinafter, a first condition) under which a specific operation mode set by a control device (e.g., the EMS 160) capable of communicating with the blind device 140 is applied. The operation based on the specific operation mode may be referred to as an automatic operation to distinguish it from a manual operation.

[0068] The specific operation mode may include a first operation mode (power generation priority mode) in which the angle of the slats 142 is adjusted to maximize the power generation of the PV cells. The specific operation mode may include a fifth operation mode (power consumption priority mode) in which the angle of the slats 142 is adjusted based on the power consumption of a predetermined device and the power generation of the PV cells. Although not particularly limited, the specific operation mode may include at least one of the second to fourth operation modes described above.

[0069] Secondly, the specific condition may include a condition that the power generated by the PV cell is being extracted (hereinafter, the second condition). Specifically, the second condition may be a condition that the PV cell is generating power and the power line 145 is not disconnected from the extraction electrode 146. In other words, when the PV cell is not generating power, it may be considered that the second condition is not satisfied, and when the power line 145 is disconnected from the extraction electrode 146, it may be considered that the second condition is not satisfied. In such a case, the blind device 140 may have a switch capable of switching whether or not to disconnect the power line 145 from the extraction electrode 146.

[0070] Third, the specific condition may include a condition that the power generated by the PV cell is equal to or less than a threshold (hereinafter, the third condition). The threshold may include zero.

[0071] Fourth, the specific condition may include a condition that the temperature of the PV cell is equal to or lower than a threshold value (hereinafter, the fourth condition). The temperature of the PV cell may be measured by a temperature sensor provided on the surface of the PV cell. The temperature sensor may be provided in a PV cell arranged on at least one slat 142 included in the second slat group.

[0072] Fifth, the specific condition may include two or more conditions selected from the first to fourth conditions described above.

[0073] Here, the specific control is a control that restricts an operation of changing the angle of two or more slats 142 to an angle outside a predetermined range. The predetermined range may be determined based on the current angle of the slats 142. The predetermined range may be an angle range in which the change of the angle of the slats 142 is permitted. Although not particularly limited, the predetermined range may be an angle range in which the fluctuation of the power generation of the PV cell is equal to or less than a threshold. The predetermined range may be a range in which the speed of changing the angle of the slats 142 is equal to or less than a threshold. The predetermined range may be set in advance in the blind device 140. Although not particularly limited, the predetermined range may be 0. In such a case, the operation itself of changing the angle of the slats 142 from the current angle is restricted. For example, the predetermined range may be a range of the angle of the slats 142 that should be satisfied to realize the maximization of the power generation of the PV cell by the first operation mode.

[0074] Furthermore, the specific control may include control to notify the user that an operation to change the angle of two or more slats 142 to an angle outside a predetermined range is restricted when the operation is received, or to notify a predetermined terminal managed by the user that such an operation is restricted. For example, when the first condition is satisfied, the user may be notified that the specific operation mode is applied, or the predetermined terminal managed by the user may be notified that the specific operation mode is applied. According to such a configuration, for example, in a situation where the power generated by the PV cells should be prioritized over the sunlight to a predetermined space, the user can understand that the specific operation mode such as the first operation mode (power generation priority mode) should be applied and that the angle of two or more slats 142 should not be changed to an angle outside the predetermined range.

[0075] (Action and Effects) In the embodiment, when a specific condition is satisfied, the blind device 140 executes specific control to restrict an operation of changing the angles of two or more slats 142 to angles outside a predetermined range. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress unexpected failure of PV cells caused by arbitrarily changing the angles of the slats 142 by manual operation or the like.

[0076] In the embodiment, the specific condition may include a first condition for applying a specific operation mode set by a control device (e.g., EMS 160) capable of communicating with the blind device 140. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress unexpected fluctuations in the power generation power of the PV cell expected in the specific operation mode.

[0077] In an embodiment, the blind device 140 may execute specific control for each of the two or more second slat groups 142 B. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress unexpected failure of the PV cells for each second slat group 142 B.

[0078] In the embodiment, each of the two or more first slat groups 142A may be included in one of the two or more second slat groups 142B without straddling the boundary between the two or more second slat groups 142B. With this configuration, even if separate control is applied to each of the two or more second slat groups 142B, the behavior of the slats 142 constituting the first slat group 142A is unified, so that damage to the power line 145 connecting the PV cells in series can be suppressed. In other words, the first slat group 142A including two or more slats 142 can be individually controlled while improving the extraction efficiency of the power generated by the PV cells.

[0079] [Other embodiments] Although the present invention has been described by the above-mentioned embodiment, the description and drawings forming a part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0080] In the above disclosure, the slats 142 in which PV cells are arranged are exemplified. However, the above disclosure is not limited thereto. The blind device 140 only needs to have the slats 142 that have the function of a PV solar cell. For example, the slats 142 themselves may be composed of PV cells.

[0081] Although not specifically mentioned in the above disclosure, the specific control may include a control that limits the rolling up of the slats 142, and may include a control that limits the extension of the slats 142.

[0082] In the above disclosure, a case where the specific control is executed when the angle of two or more slats 142 is changed from an angle within a predetermined range to an angle outside the predetermined range has been exemplified. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this, and the predetermined range may be read as outside the predetermined range, and the outside the predetermined range may be read as within the predetermined range.

[0083] In the above disclosure, the controller 170 is separate from the blind device 140. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. The controller 170 may be integrated with the blind device 140 or may be connected to the blind device 140 by wire.

[0084] In the above disclosure, the case where each of the two or more second slat groups 142B is a group of slats that can be driven by one motor 148 has been exemplified. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this.

[0085] For example, each of the two or more second slat groups 142B may be considered to be a group of slats whose angles can be controlled by the EMS 160. In such a case, the group of slats whose angles can be controlled may be managed by the EMS 160 as a setting (e.g., operation restriction) of the EMS 160. Therefore, the group of slats whose angles can be controlled may be driven by two or more motors 148. For example, a different motor 148 may be connected to each of all the slats 142 of the blind device 140. Since the second slat group 142B is a group of slats whose angles can be controlled, the angles of the slats 142 constituting the two or more second slat groups 142B may be simultaneously controlled to a predetermined angle.

[0086] For example, each of the two or more second slat groups 142B may be considered as a group of slats to which an operation mode (for example, the first to fifth operation modes) can be applied by the EMS 160. In such a case, the group of slats to which the operation mode can be applied may be managed by the EMS 160 as a setting (for example, operation restriction) of the EMS 160. Therefore, the group of slats to which the operation mode can be applied may be driven by two or more motors 148. For example, different motors 148 may be connected to each of all the slats 142 of the blind device 140. Since the second slat group 142B is a group of slats to which an operation mode can be applied, one operation mode may be applied simultaneously to two or more second slat groups 142B. In addition, in the second slat group 142B to which one operation mode is applied, control in which the angles of the adjacent slats 142 are different from each other may be allowed as long as the difference in the angles of the adjacent slats 142 does not exceed a threshold value.

[0087] In the above disclosure, the second slat group 142B may be considered to be a group of slats constituting the smallest unit controllable by the EMS 160. For example, in a case where the blind device 140 has a total of eight slats 142, the smallest controllable unit may be two slats 142 (a group of slats). In such a case, four slats 142 (two smallest units) may be controlled simultaneously, or eight slats 142 (four smallest units) may be controlled simultaneously. In other words, the EMS 160 does not necessarily need to apply different controls to each smallest unit, and may apply the same control to two or more smallest units.

[0088] In the above disclosure, the first slat group 142A is a group of slats having PV cells electrically connected in series. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. The first slat group 142A may be a group of slats having PV cells electrically connected in parallel.

[0089] Although not particularly limited, the operation mode may be read as an operation state.

[0090] In the above disclosure, ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) has been mainly described. However, the above disclosure is not limited thereto. The above disclosure is also applicable to other protocols such as SEP2.0 and KNX.

[0091] Although not specifically mentioned in the above disclosure, at least a part of the functions of the EMS 160 may be executed by a server located on the network 11. In other words, the EMS 160 may be provided by a cloud service. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1...power management system, 11...network, 12...power system, 100...facility, 110...solar cell device, 120...energy storage device, 130...fuel cell device, 140...blind device, 141...communication unit, 142...slat, 142A...first slat group, 142B...second slat group, 143...control unit, 145...power line, 146...extraction electrode, 147...power line, 148...motor, 150...load device, 160...EMS, 161...first communication unit, 162...second communication unit, 163...control unit, 170...controller, 190...measuring device, 200...power management server

Claims

1. Two or more slats each having a function of a solar cell; A control unit for controlling the two or more slats, The control unit executes specific control to restrict an operation of changing the angles of the two or more slats to angles outside a predetermined range when a specific condition is satisfied.

2. The blind device according to claim 1 , wherein the specific condition includes a condition under which a specific operation mode set by a control device capable of communicating with the blind device is applied.

3. 3. The blind device according to claim 2, wherein the specific operation mode includes an operation mode in which angles of two or more slats are adjusted to maximize power generation by the solar cell.

4. 4. The blind device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the specific operation mode includes an operation mode in which an angle of the two or more slats is adjusted based on the power consumption of a specified device that adjusts the environment of a specified space having a window in which the two or more slats are arranged and the power generated by the solar cell.

5. The two or more slats are The solar cell is electrically connected in series or in parallel to one of two or more first slat groups, and The specific operation mode is applied to a group of slats, which are classified into two or more second slat groups, A blind device as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each of the two or more first slat groups is included in one of the two or more second slat groups without straddling the boundary between the two or more second slat groups.

6. The blind device according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit executes the specific control for each of the two or more second slat groups.

7. A step A of controlling two or more slats having a function of a solar cell, The control method, wherein step A includes a step of executing specific control to restrict an operation of changing the angles of the two or more slats to angles outside a predetermined range when a specific condition is satisfied.

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