Verification system

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of verifying power consumption saving effect by introduction of a power conversion device.SOLUTION: In a verification system including a verification device 600 connected to a system 800, a cloud server 200, and a calculation server 100, the verification device 600 includes: a power conversion unit that converts power and outputs it to the system 800; a current detection unit that detects a current value flowing through the power conversion unit; an output command unit that outputs output information including a current value, output power, an output voltage and output time; and an input / output unit that outputs sensor information of the system. The cloud server 200 stores data including the output information and the sensor information. The calculation server 100 includes a data optimization calculation unit that adjusts an output pattern of the power conversion unit based on the data stored in the cloud server 200 and transmits it to the verification device 600, and a data display calculation unit that graphs and displays the data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for verifying an existing power situation from an actual output situation and verifying to what extent energy savings can be specifically achieved by a verification system.

Background Art

[0002] For example, an inverter is introduced into a system such as a pump system for driving a pump to save power consumption. When determining whether to introduce an inverter, there is a problem that the power consumption reduction effect when the inverter is introduced is unknown.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a method for obtaining the power consumption reduction when an inverter is introduced. Based on the operating power consumption and frequency of the inverter, the inverter input power is calculated by converting it to the commercial frequency, the motor input power to the AC motor is calculated by multiplying the inverter input power by the efficiency of the inverter device, the reference power before the introduction of the inverter is calculated by multiplying the motor input power by the shaft power reduction rate during device control corresponding to the frequency, and the power consumption reduction is obtained by subtracting the operating power consumption from the reference power.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The technique of Patent Document 1 obtains the power consumption reduction amount due to the introduction of an inverter by calculation. However, since the power consumption varies depending on the operating conditions, installation environment, wiring, etc. of the customer's system, there is a problem that when the power consumption reduction amount is obtained by the method of Patent Document 1, there is a deviation from the power consumption reduction amount when an inverter is actually introduced into the customer's system.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a verification system capable of verifying the power consumption reduction effect by introducing a power conversion device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, one of the representative information processing devices of the present invention is a verification system including a verification device connected to a system, a cloud server, and a calculation server. The verification device includes a power conversion unit that converts power and outputs it to the system, a current detection unit that detects a current value flowing through the power conversion unit, an output command unit that outputs output information including the current value, output power, output voltage, and output time, and an input / output unit that outputs sensor information of the system. The cloud server stores data including the output information and the sensor information, and the calculation server includes a data optimization calculation unit that adjusts the output pattern of the power conversion unit based on the data stored in the cloud server and transmits it to the verification device, and a data display calculation unit that graphs and displays the data.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the power consumption reduction effect by introducing a power conversion device can be verified.

[0009] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the description of the following embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In the present embodiment, through the initial verification process of acquiring and visualizing the power consumption data before the introduction of the power conversion device and the introduction verification process of acquiring and visualizing the power consumption data after the introduction of the power conversion device, the power saving effect of the power conversion device along the actual situation is calculated, and a method for shifting to the introduction of the power conversion device is explained.

[0013] FIG. 1 is an example showing an example of the configuration of the verification system of the present embodiment.

[0014] The verification system of this embodiment includes an arithmetic server 100, a cloud server 200, a contract data server 300, a communication terminal 400, an external network 500, a verification device 600, and a user terminal 700.

[0015] The verification device 600 is connected to an existing system 800 that uses the power owned by the user. The verification device 600 is a power conversion device that converts the AC voltage from the power supply and outputs it to the system 800. Further, the verification device 600 detects the current value output to the system 800 and transmits it to the arithmetic server 100 via the communication terminal 400.

[0016] The arithmetic server 100 calculates the rate at which the frequency and output voltage are reduced by the verification device 600 from the information of the existing system 800 stored in the cloud server 200, and transmits it to the verification device 600. The information of the system 800 includes information for identifying the system 800, information for identifying the connected verification device 600, and sensor information such as a flow sensor if the system 800 is a pump system.

[0017] The cloud server 200 stores various data for optimally performing verification, such as information on the existing system 800, the contract status of the verification system, the type of the verification system, and information on similar systems stored before the time when verification is to be performed.

[0018] The contract data server 300 stores contract information indicating the contract status for each user. The contract is, for example, a contract for verifying the energy-saving effect with the verification device 600, a contract for continuously using the verification device 600 after verification, and the like.

[0019] The communication terminal 400 communicates between the verification device 600 and the external network 500.

[0020] The user terminal 700 includes a display unit 701 that presents information such as the verification result of the verification system to the user.

[0021] Note that, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of verification devices 600 may be respectively connected to a plurality of systems 800.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the arithmetic server 100 of the present embodiment.

[0023] The arithmetic server 100 includes a data acquisition unit 101, a data optimization arithmetic unit 102, a data display arithmetic unit 103, and a data management unit 104.

[0024] The data acquisition unit 101 acquires various data stored in the cloud server 200.

[0025] The data optimization arithmetic unit 102 uses the data acquired by the data acquisition unit 101 to obtain the output frequency and output voltage according to the output power of the verification device 600, and transmits them to the verification device 600. When a plurality of verification devices 600 are online at the same time, the data optimization arithmetic unit 102 performs separate calculations for each verification device 600.

[0026] The data display arithmetic unit 103 converts the input data into data for graphing. The converted data is transmitted to the user terminal 700 and displayed on the display unit 701.

[0027] The data management unit 104 refers to the information of the system 800 acquired by the data acquisition unit 101, and transmits data to the verification device 600 connected to the system 800.

[0028] FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the connection of the verification device 600 of the present embodiment to an existing system 800.

[0029] In FIG. 3A, an existing system 800 owned by a user is connected to a three-phase AC power supply 900.

[0030] When verifying the power consumption reduction effect of a power conversion device using the verification device 600 in the system 800, as shown in FIG. 3B, the verification device 600 is connected between the three-phase AC power supply 900 and the system 800.

[0031] The verification device 600 may use used products for diagnosis in order to verify the power consumption reduction effect in the user's system 800 free of charge or at low cost. In this case, the verification device 600 has a software update function, and it is possible to perform a trial by modifying the used verification device 600 by software update.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the verification device 600.

[0033] The verification device 600 includes a DC conversion unit 612, a smoothing capacitor 613, an AC conversion unit 614, a current detector 616, a current detection unit 617, an output command unit 619, a communication unit 618, and an input / output unit 620.

[0034] The three-phase AC power supply 900 is, for example, a three-phase AC voltage supplied from an electric power company or an AC voltage supplied from a generator, and outputs it to the DC conversion unit 612.

[0035] The DC conversion unit 612 is composed of, for example, a DC conversion circuit composed of diodes or a DC conversion circuit using an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) and a flywheel diode, and converts the AC voltage input from the three-phase AC power supply 900 into a DC voltage and outputs it to the smoothing capacitor 613.

[0036] The smoothing capacitor 613 smooths the DC voltage input from the DC conversion unit 612 and outputs the DC voltage to the AC conversion unit 614. For example, when the output of the generator is a DC voltage, the smoothing capacitor 613 may directly input the DC voltage from the generator without passing through the DC conversion unit 612.

[0037] The AC conversion unit 614 is composed of, for example, an AC conversion circuit using an IGBT and a flywheel diode. Taking the DC voltage of the smoothing capacitor 613 as input, it converts the DC voltage into an AC voltage according to the PWM output waveform input from the output command unit 619 and outputs it to the system 800 to which the verification device 600 is connected.

[0038] The current detector 616 is composed of, for example, a hall CT or a shunt resistor. By being arranged at the output part of the power conversion device, it detects the output current flowing through it and outputs it to the current detection unit 617 as a current detection value. The current detection unit 617 converts the current detection value input from the current detector 616 into a current value and outputs it to the output command unit 619.

[0039] The communication unit 618 outputs the data of the output current, output frequency, output voltage, and output time output by the output command unit 619 to the arithmetic server 100 via the communication terminal 400. Also, the communication unit 618 outputs various sensor input information input from the input / output unit 620 to the arithmetic server 100 via the communication terminal 400 together with the ID information of the verification device 600.

[0040] Based on the command value input from the communication unit 618, the output command unit 619 calculates the output voltage and outputs it to the AC conversion unit 614. Also, the output command unit 619 outputs the output current input from the current detection unit 617 to the communication unit 618 together with the output frequency, output voltage, and output time.

[0041] The input / output unit 620 is an interface with the outside, and can receive sensor inputs of the external environment such as a temperature sensor or a flow sensor of the system 800. Also, the input / output unit 620 does not have to be on the verification device 600. If the sensor itself has a communication function, the data may be directly sent from the sensor to the arithmetic server 100.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the verification system of this embodiment.

[0043] The verification device 600 installed in the system 800 confirms that it is connected to the contract data server 300 via the communication terminal 400 (S601).

[0044] The contract data server 300 confirms that a verification contract has been made for the connected verification device 600 (S301). When the verification contract is confirmed, the contract data server 300 transmits confirmation information indicating that the verification contract has been confirmed to the arithmetic server 100. The verification contract is a contract for verifying the power saving effect by the power conversion device using the verification device 600.

[0045] When the arithmetic server 100 receives the confirmation information from the contract data server 300, the arithmetic server 100 transmits a start command for the initial verification process to the verification device 600 (S101).

[0046] When the verification device 600 receives the start command for the initial verification process, the verification device 600 starts outputting data for the initial verification process and stores it in the cloud server 200 (S602).

[0047] Here, the verification device 600 sets, for example, a period of about one month, outputs it to the system 800 according to the existing driving conditions of the system 800, and transmits the output frequency, output voltage, output time, output current, and various sensor information of the system 800 to the cloud server 200 as data for the initial verification process through the communication terminal 400, and stores it in the cloud server 200 as the initial verification process acquisition information shown in FIG. 6A.

[0048] FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of the initial verification process acquisition information stored in the cloud server 200 of the present embodiment.

[0049] The initial verification process acquisition information includes a data ID for identifying data, the time when the data was acquired, information such as output frequency and output power, and is accumulated in time series.

[0050] At this time, the sensor information included in the data for the initial verification process transmitted by the verification device 600 includes a key basic index and a command index synchronized with the basic index, as shown in FIG. 7A.

[0051] FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of the sensor information included in the initial verification process acquisition information of this embodiment.

[0052] Here, the case where the system 800 is a pump system that drives a pump will be described as an example. In the system 800, the flow rate is controlled according to an analog voltage command 0 to 10V damper control signal. Further, the system 800 includes a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate.

[0053] Taking the flow rate or water pressure acquired by the sensor of the system 800 as the basic index for the data related to the flow rate, and the damper control signal for controlling the flow rate as the command index for the support data.

[0054] When the output power is reduced by the verification device 600, it is preferable that the relationship between the basic index and the command index does not change. Therefore, by including the information indicating the relationship between the basic index and the command index of the system 800 in the initial verification process acquisition information, the output frequency or output voltage of the verification device 600, or the output power itself is adjusted as a control index, and the output power is reduced so that the relationship between the basic index and the command index does not change.

[0055] Next, in the arithmetic server 100, the data acquisition unit 101 acquires the initial verification process acquisition information stored in the cloud server 200, and the data display arithmetic unit 103 visualizes the data for the initial verification process after plotting as shown in FIG. 8A, graphs the energy consumption situation in time series, and outputs the first report shown in FIG. 9A to the user terminal 700 (S102).

[0056] FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of the visualization of the initial verification process acquisition information of this embodiment.

[0057] In Fig. 8A, the flow rate is controlled by the damper control signal. Since the motor rotation speed does not change even when the flow rate is low, the output power does not decrease much.

[0058] Fig. 9A is a diagram showing an example of the first report output to the user terminal 700 of this embodiment.

[0059] In the first report, the power consumption in the initial verification process is graphed over time.

[0060] Next, based on the information obtained in the initial verification process, the computing server 100 calculates an output pattern in which the output frequency, output voltage, or the output power itself of the verification device 600 is adjusted as a control index so that the output power is minimized without changing the relationship between the above-described basic index and the command index, and stores it in the cloud server 200 (S103).

[0061] For example, when the system 800 is a pump system, based on the information of the flow rate sensor, it detects a situation where the current value is excessively high with respect to the flow rate from the situation of the flow rate and the current value, and reduces the output.

[0062] Next, the computing server 100 sends a start command for the introduction verification process to the verification device 600 (S104).

[0063] When receiving the start command for the introduction verification process, the verification device 600 starts outputting data for the introduction verification process and stores it in the cloud server 200 (S603).

[0064] Here, the verification device 600 sets, for example, a period of about one month, outputs to the system 800 according to the output pattern stored in the cloud server 200 in S103, and transmits, through the communication terminal 400, the output frequency, output voltage, output time, output current, and various sensor information of the system 800 to the cloud server 200 as data for the introduction verification process, and stores it in the cloud server 200 as the information obtained in the introduction verification process shown in Fig. 6B.

[0065] FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of the introduction verification process acquisition information stored in the cloud server 200 of this embodiment.

[0066] The introduction verification process acquisition information includes information such as a data ID for identifying data, the time when the data was acquired, the output frequency, and the output power, and is accumulated in time series.

[0067] At this time, the sensor information included in the data for the introduction verification process transmitted by the verification device 600 includes a key basic index and a command index synchronized with the basic index as shown in FIG. 7B.

[0068] FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of the sensor information included in the introduction verification process acquisition information of this embodiment.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 7B, the relationship between the basic index and the command index is controlled so as not to change from before the adjustment of the output pattern shown in FIG. 7A.

[0070] Next, in the arithmetic server 100, the data acquisition unit 101 acquires the introduction verification process acquisition information stored in the cloud server 200, and the data display arithmetic unit 103 visualizes the data for the introduction verification process after plotting as shown in FIG. 8B, graphs the energy consumption situation in time series, and outputs the second report shown in FIG. 9B to the user terminal 700 (S105).

[0071] FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of the visualization of the introduction verification process acquisition information of this embodiment.

[0072] In FIG. 8B, it can be confirmed that the output power is reduced when the flow rate is low as compared with the initial verification process acquisition information in FIG. 8A.

[0073] FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an example of the second report output to the user terminal 700 of this embodiment.

[0074] In the second report, the power consumption during the introduction verification process is graphed over time. By comparing the first report in FIG. 9A and the second report in FIG. 9B displayed on the display unit 701 of the user terminal 700, the user can confirm the power consumption reduction effect due to the introduction of the power conversion device.

[0075] Next, the data display calculation unit 103 of the arithmetic server 100 calculates the actual power charge based on the initial verification process information and the introduction verification process information, graphs the comparison results, and outputs a comparison result report shown in FIG. 10 to the user terminal 700 (S106).

[0076] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the comparison result report output to the user terminal 700 of the present embodiment.

[0077] In the comparison result report, the power consumption before and after the adjustment of the output pattern is graphed and displayed. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the energy saving effect after 10 years when the power conversion device is introduced and the output pattern is adjusted may be predicted and calculated and displayed. The energy saving effect may be indicated by the power charge or the amount of electric power.

[0078] In addition, when constructing the comparison result report, the data display calculation unit 103 reads various data from the cloud server 200, such as output power, output frequency, acquisition time, etc., and compares and displays the arithmetic operation results such as the average and total of each data.

[0079] After that, when the user renews the contract and the continuous contract is confirmed by the contract data server 300, the contract information stored in the contract data server 300 is updated to "valid" (S302).

[0080] Next, the verification device 600 records the data of the output pattern obtained in the introduction verification process, and periodically transmits data such as output power, output frequency, output voltage, output time, and sensor information to the contract data server 300 (S604). Thereby, the contract data server 300 confirms that the verification device 600 is being used as per the contract.

[0081] Note that in this embodiment, a single verification device 600 executes the introduction verification process after executing the initial verification process, and compares the output power in the initial verification process and the introduction verification process. However, when the introduction verification process is executed, the output power when the output pattern is not adjusted may be obtained by prediction from the initial verification process and compared. Thereby, it is possible to compare the output power before and after adjusting the output pattern under the same driving conditions.

[0082] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, when the verification device 600 is connected to a plurality of systems 800 respectively, in the introduction verification process, one verification device 600 outputs with an adjusted output pattern, and the other verification device 600 outputs under the existing driving conditions, and the output power may be compared. In this case, the other verification device 600 does not need to be a power conversion device, and may be a single sensor that detects a current value. Thereby, it is possible to compare the output power before and after adjusting the output pattern under the same driving conditions.

[0083] When the user makes a continuous contract, the user selects a contract type such as a subscription contract for performing maintenance by regular diagnosis using the verification device 600 used for verification as it is, or a new purchase contract for replacing the verification device 600 with a new one, and updates the contract information stored in the contract data server 300 to "valid".

[0084] When the user does not make a continuous contract, the verification device 600 is removed. The removed verification device 600 can be overhauled and used for another project.

[0085] Also, when the contract period is exceeded without contract renewal and the verification device 600 has not been removed, the contract information stored in the contract data server 300 is updated to "invalid", and the output of the verification device 600 is stopped.

[0086] When the user selects a subscription contract, the computing server 100 creates a report that visualizes the operating status, such as issuing a monthly report on the difference in output power from the operation without using the verification device 600, and outputs it to the user terminal 700.

[0087] In addition, the verification device 600 notifies the user of the timing of regular maintenance via the user terminal 700. Thereby, a separate fee is received from the user, and regular maintenance of the verification device 600 is performed.

[0088] In addition, if other parameter settings are required during actual operation, a separate fee is received as a temporary support fee.

[0089] In addition, the data output from the verification device 600 is constantly monitored, and when an abnormal situation is reported, the customer and the service are notified. When reporting an abnormal situation or when the user obtains details of the abnormal situation, a contract may be made to charge an additional +α.

[0090] These contract contents are stored as contract information in the contract data server 300, and the verification device 600 continues to operate while monitoring the contract information in the contract data server 300.

[0091] According to this embodiment, since the verification device 600 is connected to the existing system 800 used by the user and the power consumption is graphed and displayed, the actual power saving effect when a power conversion device is introduced into the system 800 can be verified.

[0092] In addition, since the power consumption during the initial verification process and the introduction verification process is graphed and displayed, the user can visually confirm the power saving effect of the power conversion device.

[0093] In addition, the verification device 600 used for verification is used after the continuous contract, and the verification device 600 operates with reference to the contract information stored in the contract data server 300, so that the cost can be reduced when the power conversion device is introduced.

[0094] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are included. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Also, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, for a part of the configuration of each embodiment, addition, deletion, or replacement with other configurations is possible.

[0095] In addition, each of the above configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be realized in hardware by designing a part or all of them, for example, by means of an integrated circuit. Also, each of the above configurations, functions, etc. may be realized in software by a processor interpreting and executing a program for realizing each function. Information such as a program, table, file, etc. for realizing each function can be placed in a memory, a recording device such as a hard disk, SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC card, SD card, DVD.

[0096] Also, control lines and information lines are shown as those considered necessary for explanation, and not all control lines and information lines are necessarily shown on the product. In fact, it may be considered that almost all configurations are interconnected.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0097] 100... arithmetic server, 200... cloud server, 300... contract data server, 400... communication terminal, 500... external network, 600... verification device, 800... system, 700... user terminal, 101... data acquisition unit, 102... data optimization arithmetic unit, 103... data display arithmetic unit, 104... data management unit, 900... three-phase AC power supply, 612... DC conversion unit, 613... smoothing capacitor, 614... AC conversion unit, 616... current detector, 617... current detection unit, 618... communication unit, 619... output command unit, 620... input / output unit

Claims

1. In a verification system comprising a verification device connected to a system, a cloud server, and a computing server, the verification device comprises: a power conversion unit that converts power and outputs it to the system; a current detection unit that detects the current value flowing through the power conversion unit; an output command unit that outputs output information including the current value, output power, output voltage, and output time; an input / output unit that outputs sensor information of the system, and the cloud server stores data including the output information and the sensor information; the computing server comprises: a data optimization computing unit that adjusts the output pattern of the power conversion unit based on the data stored in the cloud server and transmits it to the verification device; a data display computing unit that graphs and displays the data.

2. In the verification system according to Claim 1, the data comprises: first data output when the power conversion unit outputs the power to the system under existing driving conditions; and second data output when the power conversion unit outputs the power to the system with the adjusted output pattern.

3. In the verification system according to Claim 2, the data display computing unit graphs and displays the first data and the second data in time series respectively.

4. In the verification system according to Claim 2, the data display computing unit: compares the first data and the second data and displays the comparison result.

5. In the verification system according to Claim 2, the power conversion unit outputs the power to the system under the existing driving conditions for a preset period, and then outputs the power to the system with the adjusted output pattern for a preset period.

6. In the verification system according to Claim 2, the verification system comprises a plurality of the verification devices respectively connected to a plurality of the systems, the power conversion unit of one of the verification devices outputs the power to the system with the adjusted output pattern for a preset period, and the power conversion unit of another verification device outputs the power to the system under the existing driving conditions during that period.

7. In the verification system according to Claim 2, the verification system comprises a contract data server that stores contract information indicating whether the contract is valid. The power conversion unit refers to the contract information stored in the contract data server, and when the contract information is updated effectively, outputs the power to the system in the adjusted output pattern, and when the contract information is updated invalidly, stops the output of the power, a verification system.

8. In the verification system according to claim 7, the contract information includes information on the contract content, the verification device refers to the contract information stored in the contract data server, and when the contract information is updated effectively, operates according to the contract content, a verification system.

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