Power distribution facility system

Abstract

To suppress the risk of coincidence of a failure in a distributed power source supplying electricity to an information processing section which processes information measured inside of a housing of a power distribution apparatus, in a case where the supply of electricity from a system power source to the information processing section is stopped, e.g., due to occurrence of a fire within the housing.SOLUTION: A power distribution facility system 1 comprises: a housing 11 of a power distribution facility 10; a measurement section 12 capable of outputting housing inside measurement information that is informed measured inside of the housing; an information processing section capable of processing and outputting the housing inside measurement information sent from the measurement section; a distributed power source positioned outside of the housing; and a distributed power source control section 15 positioned outside of the housing. The information processing section provided in the housing is connected to a system power source 8 and the distributed power source 21, the distributed power source control section is connected to the distributed power source and, a supply source of electricity to the information processing section is switchable from the system power source to the distributed power source in response to the occurrence of an abnormality inside of the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power distribution facility system. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to resolve the shortage of personnel for electrical safety work in power distribution facilities such as switchboards and cubicles, the use of communication devices is being considered. If this is promoted, it is conceivable that the power distribution facilities will be equipped with a measuring unit and an information processing unit that measure the internal state of the power distribution facilities. However, if the supply of electricity from the system power source to the power distribution facilities is stopped for some reason, the supply of electricity to the information processing unit will also be lost. In such a case, information cannot be transmitted from the information processing unit to the outside, and it becomes difficult for the user of the power distribution facilities to notice the situation. Meanwhile, Patent Document 1 describes a method of installing a battery inside the power distribution facilities and supplying electricity from the battery during a power outage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-362510 A

[0004] However, if a fire breaks out inside the power distribution equipment housing and the battery inside the housing burns out, the supply of electricity to the information processing unit will stop, and in this case, it is possible that the information processing unit will become unable to function even if it is not damaged. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventor of the present invention has made extensive research into this issue and attempted to solve it. The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to reduce the possibility of a simultaneous failure of the distributed power source that supplies electricity to the information processing unit, when a fire breaks out inside the housing of the power distribution device and electricity is no longer supplied from the system power source to the information processing unit that processes information measured inside the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a power distribution equipment system is provided which includes a power distribution equipment housing, a measurement unit capable of outputting in-housing measurement information which is information measured inside the housing, an information processing unit capable of processing and outputting the in-housing measurement information sent from the measurement unit, a distributed power source located outside the housing, and a distributed power source control unit located outside the housing, wherein the information processing unit provided in the housing is connected to a system power source and the distributed power source, and the distributed power source control unit is connected to the distributed power source, and wherein if an abnormality occurs inside the housing, the source of electricity supply to the information processing unit can be switched from the system power source to the distributed power source.

[0007] It is also preferable that the information processing section be configured to include an inner information processing section disposed inside the housing, and an outer information processing section disposed outside the housing.

[0008] It is also preferable that the internal information processing unit is capable of transmitting measurement information to the external information processing unit, and that the external information processing unit is capable of recording or transmitting to the outside the measurement information transmitted from the internal information processing unit.

[0009] It is also preferable that the inner information processing unit and the outer information processing unit are capable of communicating with each other, the inner information processing unit is capable of recording information sent from the outer information processing unit, and the outer information processing unit is capable of recording information sent from the inner information processing unit.

[0010] In addition, in the event of an abnormal state in which the measurement information within the first housing that is scheduled to be input to the internal information processing unit cannot be obtained, it is preferable to have a configuration that makes it possible to calculate an estimate of the measurement information within the first housing that was scheduled to be input to the internal information processing unit from the measurement information within the second housing that is input to the external information processing unit. Effect of the Invention

[0011] In the present invention, if a fire breaks out inside the housing of a power distribution device and electricity is no longer supplied from the system power source to the information processing unit that processes information measured inside the housing, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a concurrent failure of the distributed power source that supplies electricity to the information processing unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is an example of a power distribution equipment system that includes an inner information processing unit inside a housing of the power distribution equipment and an outer information processing unit outside the housing. [Diagram 2] This is an example of a power distribution equipment system having an inside information processing unit inside the housing of the power distribution equipment. Note that no outside information processing unit is provided outside the housing. [Diagram 3] This is an example of a power distribution equipment system having an outer information processing unit outside the housing of the power distribution equipment. Note that no inner information processing unit is provided inside the housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The following describes an embodiment of the invention. A power distribution equipment system 1 according to the embodiment includes a housing 11 of a power distribution equipment 10, a measuring unit 12 capable of outputting in-housing measurement information, which is information measured inside the housing 11, an information processing unit capable of processing and outputting the in-housing measurement information sent from the measuring unit 12, a distributed power source 21 located outside the housing 11, and a distributed power source control unit 15 located outside the housing 11. In addition, in this power distribution equipment system 1, the information processing unit provided in the housing 11 is connected to the system power source 8 and the distributed power source 21. In addition, the distributed power source control unit 15 is connected to the distributed power source 21. Then, due to an abnormality occurring inside the housing 11, the source of electricity supply to the information processing unit can be switched from the system power source 8 to the distributed power source 21. Therefore, when a fire occurs inside the housing 11 of the power distribution device and electricity is no longer supplied from the system power source 8 to the information processing unit that processes the information measured inside the housing 11, it is possible to suppress the possibility of a simultaneous failure of the distributed power source 21 that supplies electricity to the information processing unit.

[0014] Here, the power distribution equipment 10 will be described. Representative examples of the power distribution equipment 10 include a switchboard and a cubicle. The power distribution equipment 10 is equipped with devices used for power distribution inside a housing 11. Electricity is supplied to this power distribution equipment 10 from a system power source 8, and the electricity sent from the system power source 8 to the power distribution equipment 10 is supplied to a plurality of loads located on the secondary side of the power distribution equipment 10.

[0015] 1, in order to convert electricity sent as AC from an AC power source into DC, a system power supply control unit 16 is provided in the housing 11. The system power supply control unit 16 does not necessarily have to be provided in the housing 11, but since many of the devices placed inside the housing 11 are operated by DC power, it is preferable to provide the system power supply control unit 16 in the housing 11 or on the primary side of the housing 11.

[0016] In an embodiment, a measurement unit 12 used to know the condition inside the housing 11 is disposed inside the housing 11 of the power distribution equipment 10. It is preferable that this measurement unit 12 is capable of measuring an object that can be used to infer the cause of an abnormality in the power distribution equipment 10. For example, the measurement unit 12 is capable of monitoring current, voltage, air temperature, circuit temperature, humidity, smoke, odor, insulation, etc. Furthermore, the measurement unit 12 may be capable of measuring any one of voltage, air temperature, circuit temperature, humidity, smoke, odor, and insulation, but it is preferable that the measurement unit 12 is capable of measuring two or more of these with one device.

[0017] The measurement unit 12 is connected to an information processing unit. The information processing unit of the embodiment has a function of calculating the measurement information input from the measurement unit 12, converting it into digital data, recording it, and communicating it via the Internet or the like.

[0018] 1 includes an inner information processing section 131 disposed inside the housing 11, and an outer information processing section 132 disposed outside the housing 11. This makes it possible to selectively use the inner information processing section 131 and the outer information processing section 132.

[0019] For example, the inside information processing unit 131 can be treated as being used only by those who have access to the inside of the housing 11, whereas the outside information processing unit 132 can be treated as being used by those who do not have access to the inside of the housing 11. In this case, the owners of the inside information processing unit 131 and the outside information processing unit 132 may be different.

[0020] A measuring unit 12 that measures relatively important information may be connected to the inside information processing unit 131, and a measuring unit 12 that measures less important information may be connected to the outside information processing unit 132. Furthermore, relatively important calculations may be performed in the inside information processing unit 131, while calculations that are less important may be performed in the outside information processing unit 132. Furthermore, the inside information processing unit 131 may be capable of processing a larger amount of measurement information than the outside information processing unit 132. Furthermore, it is preferable that only the inside information processing unit 131 is allowed to perform important tasks such as software updates, device replacement, and communication connection settings, and that the outside information processing unit 132 is allowed to perform tasks with lower security.

[0021] The inside information processing unit 131 and the outside information processing unit 132 can each perform calculations using the measurement information input from the measurement unit 12. Each of the inside information processing unit 131 and the outside information processing unit 132 may be provided with a recording unit 13a so that these calculation results can be recorded. For example, an estimated value obtained by the calculation may be recorded in the recording unit 13a. Each of the inside information processing unit 131 and the outside information processing unit 132 may be supplied with DC power from the system power supply control unit 16.

[0022] When power is supplied from the distributed power source 21 such as a storage battery (in the event of an abnormality), the functions used by the inside information processing unit 131 may be limited, for example, by processing only limited measurement information or by operating intermittently. In this way, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the distributed power source 21. The same thing may be done in the outside information processing unit 132. Note that the distributed power source 21 may be various forms such as a fuel cell, solar power generation, or geothermal power generation, in addition to a storage battery.

[0023] As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable that the information processing section is configured to include an inner information processing section 131 disposed inside the housing 11 and an outer information processing section 132 disposed outside the housing 11.

[0024] 1, the measurement unit 12 connected to the inside information processing unit 131 and the measurement unit 12 connected to the outside information processing unit 132 are different. However, it is not necessary that the measurement unit 12 is connected to only one of them. In other words, one measurement unit 12 may be connected to both the inside information processing unit 131 and the outside information processing unit 132.

[0025] In the example shown in Fig. 1, information can be transmitted between the inside information processing unit 131 and the outside information processing unit 132. In this example, the outside information processing unit 132 includes an external transmission unit 33, and can output information to a management server 91 used by an administrator using the Internet or the like. Due to this configuration, the measurement information inside the enclosure input from the inside information processing unit 131 to the outside information processing unit 132 can be transmitted from the outside information processing unit 132 to the management server 91 that can be used by users of the power distribution equipment 10, etc. Note that the outside information processing unit 132 may only record the information sent from the inside information processing unit 131. For example, this may be the case when the information is recorded in advance.

[0026] As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable that the inner information processing unit 131 is capable of transmitting measurement information to the outer information processing unit 132, and that the outer information processing unit 132 is configured to be capable of recording or transmitting the measurement information transmitted from the inner information processing unit 131 to the outside.

[0027] Communication may be performed from the inner information processing unit 131 to the management server 91, but in this case, it is necessary to make the housing 11 suitable for communication, for example by making part or all of the housing 11 out of resin. On the other hand, if communication can be performed from the outer information processing unit 132 located outside the housing 11, it becomes possible to use metal for all of the materials constituting the housing 11 that cover the inner information processing unit 131.

[0028] The inside information processing unit 131 and the outside information processing unit 132 may be configured to be able to communicate with each other, the inside information processing unit 131 may be capable of recording information sent from the outside information processing unit 132, and the outside information processing unit 132 may be capable of recording information sent from the inside information processing unit 131. In this way, it is also possible to record each piece of information in advance.

[0029] In order to reduce the possibility of damage to a distributed power source 21, such as a storage battery, due to a problem occurring inside the housing 11, the distributed power source 21 is configured to be located outside the housing 11, and the distributed power source control unit 15 capable of controlling the distributed power source 21 is also configured to be located outside the housing 11.

[0030] A distributed power source 21 such as a storage battery is connected to the distributed power source control unit 15. The distributed power source control unit 15 can control how electricity is sent from the distributed power source 21 to the supply destination. For example, when the detection unit 31 detects an abnormality such as a power outage, a voltage drop, or the generation of smoke or odor and notifies the detection unit 31 of information that an abnormality exists inside the housing 11, the distributed power source control unit 15 controls the distributed power source 21 to supply power to the inside information processing unit 131 and the outside information processing unit 132.

[0031] In this embodiment, since the information processing unit operates on a DC power source, the distributed power source control unit 15 may be configured to convert input AC power to DC and output it.

[0032] Here, an example in which an estimated value is calculated by the information processing unit will be described. For example, data cannot always be obtained from the measurement unit 12. For some reason, the measurement unit 12 may be temporarily unable to perform measurements. Also, the information processing unit may be temporarily unable to obtain data. If the information processing unit is unable to obtain data even if there is no problem with the measurement unit 12, there may be a problem with the information processing unit, or there may be a problem with the communication line between the measurement unit 12 and the information processing unit.

[0033] In the event that a measurement unit 12 is temporarily unable to perform a measurement, if the measurement unit 12 performs measurements at multiple locations or of multiple types, the results obtained by other measurement units 12 may be used to estimate the results of the measurements that were scheduled to be performed by the measurement unit 12 that was temporarily unable to perform the measurement.

[0034] In addition, for example, when an information processing unit has multiple processing units, such as an inner information processing unit 131 and an outer information processing unit 132, if some processing units are temporarily unable to acquire data, calculations may be performed in other processing units to obtain estimates for the content that one processing unit was unable to process.

[0035] More specifically, for example, an estimate of the measurement information in the second housing to be input from the measurement unit 12 to the outer information processing unit 132 can be calculated from the measurement information in the first housing input from the measurement unit 12 to the inner information processing unit 131. Similarly, an estimate of the measurement information in the first housing to be input from the measurement unit 12 to the inner information processing unit 131 can be calculated from the measurement information in the second housing input from the measurement unit 12 to the outer information processing unit 132. In this way, when one of the inner information processing unit 131 and the outer information processing unit 132 cannot obtain measurement information from the measurement unit 12, it is possible to calculate an estimate. The estimate may be stored in the processing unit that calculated it, or may be transmitted to another processing unit or to the outside.

[0036] In any case, even if an abnormality occurs in one information processing unit and the measurement information cannot be calculated, the information can be complemented by deriving an estimated value using the information input from the measurement unit 12 to the other information processing unit.

[0037] As can be understood from these descriptions, in the case of an abnormal state in which the measurement information inside the first housing that is to be input to the inner information processing unit 131 cannot be obtained, it is preferable to have a configuration in which an estimated value regarding the measurement information inside the first housing that was to be input to the inner information processing unit 131 can be calculated from the measurement information inside the second housing that is input to the outer information processing unit 132. Also, in the case of an abnormal state in which the measurement information inside the second housing that is to be input to the outer information processing unit 132 cannot be obtained, it is also preferable to have a configuration in which an estimated value regarding the measurement information inside the second housing that was to be input to the outer information processing unit 132 can be calculated from the measurement information inside the first housing that is input to the inner information processing unit 131.

[0038] Here, an example of deriving an estimated value will be described. For example, assume that the measurement information in the first housing is a current, and the measurement information in the second housing is a temperature of an electric circuit. Since the temperature of the electric circuit tends to rise as the current increases, even if it becomes impossible to measure the current midway, an estimated value of the current may be derived and output from the tendency of the temperature rise of the electric circuit while it is impossible to measure the current. Of course, if it becomes impossible to measure the temperature of the electric circuit midway, the measured value of the current may be used to derive an estimated value of the temperature of the electric circuit.

[0039] It is also possible to use the temperature around the circuit instead of the temperature of the circuit. In this case, data on the relationship between the current and the temperature around the circuit can be collected and used to obtain an estimated value.

[0040] In the example shown in Fig. 1, the information processing unit includes an inner information processing unit 131 and an outer information processing unit 132, but it is not necessary that the information processing unit includes both the inner information processing unit 131 and the outer information processing unit 132. For example, as can be seen from Fig. 2, the information processing unit may include the inner information processing unit 131 but not the outer information processing unit 132. In this example, the distributed power source control unit 15 includes an external transmission unit 33 that transmits measurement information sent from the inner information processing unit 131 to the outside, and a recording unit 13a that records the measurement information.

[0041] 3, the system may include the outside information processing unit 132 but not include the inside information processing unit 131. In this example, the outside information processing unit 132 includes an external transmission unit 33 that transmits measurement information to the outside and a recording unit 13a that records the measurement information. However, the external transmission unit 33 and the recording unit 13a may be included in the distributed power source control unit 15.

[0042] Although the present invention has been described above by taking the embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be embodied in various forms. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1. Power distribution equipment system 8 Grid power supply 10 Power distribution equipment 11. Cabinet 12 Measurement section 15 Distributed power supply control section 21 Distributed power supply 131 Inside Information Processing Unit 132 External information processing unit

Claims

1. A power distribution equipment enclosure; A measurement unit capable of outputting in-casing measurement information, which is information measured inside the casing; an information processing unit capable of processing and outputting the in-case measurement information sent from the measurement unit; a distributed power source located outside the enclosure; A distributed power supply control unit located outside the housing; Equipped with The information processing unit provided in the housing is connected to the system power supply and the distributed power supply, A distributed power supply control unit is connected to the distributed power supplies, A power distribution equipment system that can switch the source of electricity supplied to the information processing unit from a grid power source to a distributed power source if an abnormality occurs inside the housing.

2. The power distribution facility system according to claim 1 , wherein the information processing section comprises an inner information processing section disposed inside the housing, and an outer information processing section disposed outside the housing.

3. The inner information processing unit is capable of transmitting the measurement information to the outer information processing unit, The power distribution facility system according to claim 2 , wherein the outside information processing unit is capable of recording or transmitting to the outside the measurement information transmitted from the inside information processing unit.

4. A power distribution equipment system as described in claim 3, wherein the internal information processing unit and the external information processing unit are capable of communicating with each other, the internal information processing unit is capable of recording information sent from the external information processing unit, and the external information processing unit is capable of recording information sent from the internal information processing unit.

5. A power distribution equipment system as described in claim 3 or 4, wherein in the event of an abnormal state in which measurement information within the first housing that is scheduled to be input to the internal information processing unit cannot be obtained, an estimate of the measurement information within the first housing that was scheduled to be input to the internal information processing unit can be calculated from the measurement information within the second housing that is input to the external information processing unit.

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