Power usage management system

Abstract

To provide a power usage management system that can manage power usage by a facility to manufacture a product and visualize greenhouse gas emission per product unit.SOLUTION: A power usage management system 1, which manages power usage of a facility 100 in association with a product name of a product, includes current detection means 10, imaging / transmission means 20, a processing unit 30, and a management unit 50. The current detection means 10 detects current flowing through a cable and transmits it to the processing unit 30 as power usage information. The imaging / transmission means photographs an identification label and transmits information including information related to usage time of the facility and product name information to the processing unit 30. The processing unit 30 generates product-specific power usage information by associating the power usage information, the information related to facility usage time, and the product name information, and transmits the information to the management unit 50. The management unit 50 receives and manages the product-specific power usage information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power consumption management system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a system for managing the amount of power used by a device has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a system that measures the amount of power used by each device (manufacturing device) measured by a power consumption measuring device, and inputs and manages information in which device identification information for identifying the device is associated with the amount of power used. In the invention of Patent Document 1, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions is calculated based on the amount of power used by each device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, efforts towards carbon neutrality have been accelerating for global environmental conservation. Carbon neutrality means making the emissions of greenhouse gases zero, including the balance with absorption. As a basis for this, a system that can visualize the emissions of greenhouse gases (carbon footprint; CFP) per product unit is required.

[0006] However, in the conventional system for managing power consumption, although the power consumption of each device (manufacturing device) is measured, there is a problem that the "power consumption used by the device to manufacture the target product" cannot be measured and managed. For this reason, it has been difficult to measure the greenhouse gas emissions per product unit and to make the greenhouse gas emissions per product unit (carbon footprint; CFP) visible, which has been a problem.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a power consumption management system that can manage the power consumption used by a device to manufacture a target product and can make visible the greenhouse gas emissions per product unit (carbon footprint; CFP).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The first power consumption management system of the present invention is a power consumption management system that manages the power consumption of a device used to manufacture a predetermined product in association with the product name of the product. The power consumption management system includes a current detection means, an imaging and transmission means, a processing unit, and a receiving unit. The current detection means is attached to a cable that supplies current to the device, detects the current flowing through the cable, and transmits it to the processing unit as power consumption information. The imaging and transmission means images an identification label and transmits information including information on the usage time of the device and the product name information to the processing unit. The processing unit generates product-specific power consumption information by associating at least the power consumption information, the information on the usage time of the manufacturing device, and the product name information, and transmits it to the receiving unit. The receiving unit receives and manages the product-specific power consumption information transmitted from the processing unit.

[0009] Note that the term "product" refers to something newly created by processing and assembling materials and parts. The term "device" is a concept that includes industrial equipment, facility equipment, industrial machinery, etc. It includes not only manufacturing devices but also heating and cooling devices (such as heaters), lighting devices, compressors, etc. Furthermore, the term "manufacturing device" refers to a device used to manufacture a predetermined product, which means a device that performs some kind of processing to manufacture a product, such as processing, heating, or moving materials.

[0010] The second power consumption management system of the present invention is a power consumption management system that manages the power consumption of a device used to manufacture a predetermined product in association with the product name of the product. The power consumption management system includes a current detection means, an imaging means, a transmission unit, and a management unit. The current detection means is attached to a cable that supplies current to the device, detects the current flowing through the cable, and transmits it as power consumption information to the transmission unit. The transmission unit transmits information including at least the power consumption information to the management unit. The imaging means can access the database of the management unit by imaging an identification label and transmits information including at least product name information and information regarding the usage time of the device to the database. The management unit has the database and a processing unit, manages the power consumption information, the information regarding the usage time of the device, the product name information, and the product-specific power consumption information obtained based on these information. The database stores at least the power consumption information, the information regarding the usage time of the device, the product name information, and the product-specific power consumption information. The processing unit is characterized by calculating the product-specific power consumption information based on at least the power consumption information, the information regarding the usage time of the device, and the product name information.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the first power consumption management system of the present invention, the imaging and transmitting means images the identification label and transmits information including information on the usage time of the device and product name information to the processing unit, so that among the power consumption used in the device, the "power consumption used in the device for manufacturing the target product" can be measured and managed. As a result, it is possible to measure the greenhouse gas emissions per product unit, and it becomes possible to visualize the greenhouse gas emissions per product unit (carbon footprint; CFP).

[0012] According to the second power consumption management system of the present invention, the imaging means can access the database of the management unit by imaging the identification label, transmits at least product name information and information on the usage time of the device to the database, the management unit has a database and a processing unit, manages power consumption information, information on the usage time of the device, product name information, and product-specific power consumption information obtained based on these information, and the processing unit calculates product-specific power consumption information based on at least power consumption information, information on the usage time of the device, and product name information. Also by this method, among the power consumption used in the device, the "power consumption used in the device for manufacturing the target product" can be measured and managed. As a result, it is possible to measure the greenhouse gas emissions per product unit, and it becomes possible to visualize the greenhouse gas emissions per product unit (carbon footprint; CFP).

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, the power consumption management system of the present invention will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all of the elements and their combinations described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the present invention.

[0015] [Embodiment 1] The power consumption management system 1 according to Embodiment 1 is a system that manages the power consumption of the devices used to manufacture a predetermined product in association with the product name of the product.

[0016] The device 100 is a device used to manufacture a predetermined product. In Embodiment 1, a manufacturing device is used as the device 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the device 100 is supplied with power from an external power source 140 via a cable 150, and a current detection means 10 is attached to the cable 150. Also, an identification label 112 including the product name information A2 of the product manufactured by the device 100 is disposed in the vicinity of the device 100. The identification label 112 is attached, for example, to a delivery note 110 associated with the material when the material to be input into the manufacturing device is delivered, or to an appropriate place such as a container in which the material is stored. As the identification label 112, a two-dimensional barcode (QR code (registered trademark)) is used, but an appropriate identification label such as a one-dimensional barcode may also be used.

[0017] In Embodiment 1, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the present invention is described by focusing on one device 100, but the power consumption management system 1 according to the embodiment may be applied to a plurality of devices. In this case, the current detection means 10 is attached to each of the cables 150 that supply power to the respective devices 100.

[0018] In addition to the current detection means 10, various measuring instruments, PLC (Programable Logic Controller) controllers, tank capacity sensors, etc. may be attached to the apparatus 100. Various information A6, which is these detection results and information input by the user (information on the quantity of products and materials manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus, information on fuel and materials, information on the environment such as temperature and humidity, etc.), may be sent to the processing unit 30 using ModBus130 (see FIG. 4 described later). Thereby, information other than the electricity charge can be linked to the apparatus and the products to be manufactured, and more efficient operation of the apparatus can be aimed for.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the power consumption management system 1 according to Embodiment 1 includes a current detection means 10, an imaging / sending means 20, a processing unit 30, and a management unit 50 having a receiving unit 40.

[0020] The current detection means 10 is attached to a cable 150 that supplies current to the apparatus 100, detects the current flowing through the cable 150, and transmits it to the processing unit 30 as power consumption information A1. The attachment position of the current detection means 10 on the cable 150 may be near the apparatus 100, or may be inside the distribution board as long as the cable can be identified. Examples of the current detection means 10 include clamp-type current detectors (e.g., current transformers), which are attached by clamping the cable 150 or the like to detect the current flowing through the cable 150. As the current detection means 10, in addition to the current transformer, appropriate detection means such as Rogowski coils and Hall elements can be used. As the means for transmitting from the current detection means 10 to the processing unit 30, for example, wired communication can be used, but wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) can also be used.

[0021] The imaging and transmitting means 20 captures the identification label 112 and transmits information including at least the product name information A2 and the information A4 regarding the usage time of the manufacturing apparatus among the information A3 regarding the identification label to the processing unit 30. In Embodiment 1, the product name information A2 is included in the identification label 112. As the imaging and transmitting means 20, for example, a mobile terminal with a camera (terminal device 120, for example, a smartphone, a barcode reader, etc.) can be used. Note that an application or a program may be incorporated into a mobile terminal or the like to be used as the imaging and transmitting means, or general camera and transmitting means such as mail may be used. As the means for transmitting from the imaging and transmitting means 20 to the processing unit 30, for example, wireless communication such as Wi-Fi is used, but other wireless communication may be used, or wired communication may be used.

[0022] Examples of the information A4 regarding the usage time of the apparatus include the operation start time and the operation end time of the apparatus 100. As a method for determining the operation start time and the operation end time, for example, the time captured using the imaging and transmitting means 20 when the apparatus 100 is operated can be set as the operation start time, and the time captured again using the imaging and transmitting means 20 when the operation of the apparatus 100 ends can be set as the operation start time. That is, when the apparatus 100 is operated, information including the product name information A2 using the imaging and transmitting means 20 and the operation start time of the apparatus 100 are transmitted to the processing unit 30, and when the operation of the apparatus 100 ends, information including the product name information A2 using the imaging and transmitting means 20 again and the operation end time of the apparatus 100 are transmitted to the processing unit 30. Thereby, the information A4 regarding the usage time of the apparatus can be transmitted to the processing unit 30.

[0023] The processing unit 30 generates product-specific power consumption information A5 by associating the power consumption information A1, product name information A2, and information A4 regarding the usage time of the manufacturing apparatus, and transmits it to the receiving unit 40. The configuration of the processing unit 30 includes a power meter analog circuit unit 31, a Wi-Fi module 32, a microcomputer 33, a power supply unit 34, and a LoRa transmission module 35 (see FIG. 2). Note that there may be other components, or some of these components may be absent. Also, although the processing unit 30 transmits the product-specific power consumption information A5 to the receiving unit 40 by LoRa communication, the product-specific power consumption information A5 may be transmitted by other appropriate means.

[0024] The power meter analog circuit unit 31 receives the power consumption information A1 (current information) from the current detection means 10 and calculates the power. When there is communication by ModBus130, a ModBus communication unit is also provided in the power meter analog circuit unit 31. The Wi-Fi module 32 receives the product name information A2 and the information A4 regarding the usage time of the apparatus from the imaging / transmission means 20. The microcomputer 33 generates the product-specific power consumption information A5 by associating the power consumption information A1, the product name information A2, and the information A4 regarding the usage time of the apparatus. The power supply unit 34 supplies power to the processing unit 30. The LoRa transmission module 35 transmits the product-specific power consumption information A5 to the receiving unit 40 of the management unit 50.

[0025] Also, the power meter analog circuit unit 31 may calculate the power factor from the power consumption information A1 (current information) and the information A4 regarding the usage time of the manufacturing apparatus, and include it in the product-specific power consumption information A5 and transmit it to the receiving unit 40. Thereby, it is possible to encourage the operation of an apparatus with less loss from the viewpoints of both the power factor and the emission amount of greenhouse gases per product (carbon footprint; CFP).

[0026] Note that since the power meter analog circuit unit 31 can also receive an analog signal or a pulse signal, various information A6 can also be received by an analog signal or a pulse signal.

[0027] The management department 50 receives and manages the power consumption information A5 by product transmitted from the processing department 30 through the receiving department 40. The processing department 30 and the receiving department 40 use LoRa communication, but other appropriate communication means may also be used. The receiving department 40 can be accessed from the terminal 160 via wireless communication such as in-house LAN, Wi-Fi, or through a web server or the like. Thereby, the power consumption information A5 by product can be obtained. Also, the power consumption information A5 by product (which may include information such as the power consumption per product and carbon dioxide emissions calculated based on the power consumption information A5 by product described later) can be stored in the database 170 (such as an in-house database or a web database via the cloud).

[0028] As the power consumption information A5 by product, as shown in FIG. 3, it includes the machine name (device name, serial number, symbol, etc.), product name (product name), start time, end time, operation time, power consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, etc. Even if the same device is used, the product name is different if the target product is different. Based on this power consumption information A5 by product, for example, if information regarding the number of products to be manufactured can be obtained from the ModBus 130, the power consumption per product can be determined. Also, by summing up the power consumed by each device used for each product, the power consumption used to manufacture the product can be calculated.

[0029] Furthermore, based on the power consumption for each product, the carbon dioxide emissions can be calculated. To manufacture one product, the power consumption used by each device is summed up, and based on this, the carbon dioxide emissions can also be calculated. Thereby, the greenhouse gas emissions per product (carbon footprint; CFP) can be calculated.

[0030] According to the power consumption management system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the terminal device 120 (imaging / transmission means) images the identification label 112 and transmits information including information A4 regarding the usage time of the device 100 and product name information A2 to the processing unit 30. The processing unit 30 associates at least the power consumption information A1, information A4 regarding the usage time of the device, and product name information A2 to generate product-specific power consumption information A5 and transmits it to the receiving unit 40. Therefore, among the power consumed by the device 100, the power consumed by the device (manufacturing device) for manufacturing the target product can be measured and managed. As a result, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions per product can be measured, and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions per product (carbon footprint; CFP) can be made visible.

[0031] [Embodiment 2] The power consumption management system 2 according to Embodiment 2 basically has the same configuration as the power consumption management system 1 according to Embodiment 1, but the means for acquiring the product name information A2 is different from that of the power consumption management system 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0032] In Embodiment 2, instead of the power meter analog circuit section 31 in the processing unit 30 of Embodiment 1, the external power meter 12 calculates the power consumption. The power meter 12 calculates the power consumption from the detected current detected by the current detection means 10 and transmits it to the transmission unit 70 via ModBus130 (see Fig. 4). Even in this case, the power factor and other values can be calculated, and information (data) including the power factor and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions per product (carbon footprint; CFP) can be obtained.

[0033] Also, in Embodiment 2, various measuring instruments other than the current detection means 10 and PLC (Programable Logic Controller) controllers are attached to the device 100, and various information A6 such as these measurement results, control information, and information input by the user (information on the quantity of products and materials manufactured by the manufacturing device, information on fuels and materials, information on the environment such as temperature and humidity) are sent to the transmission unit 70 using ModBus130 (see Fig. 4).

[0034] In Embodiment 1, the processing unit 30 associated the power consumption information A1, the product name information A2, and the information A4 regarding the usage time of the manufacturing apparatus to generate the product-specific power consumption information A5, and transmitted it to the receiving unit 40 of the management unit 80. However, in Embodiment 2, the transmitting unit 70 is arranged instead of the processing unit, and transmits the power consumption information A1 and various information A6 to the receiving unit 40. Further, in the transmitting unit 70, a ModBus communication unit 76 is incorporated instead of the power meter analog circuit unit 31 of Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 5).

[0035] In addition, the identification label 112 includes an address for accessing the database 170. When the terminal device 120 images the identification label 112, it can access the database 170 through the cloud 60 or the like, and can acquire the product name information A2, the manufacturing quantity information, the device information, etc. from the database 170. Then, in the terminal device 120, for example, an input screen regarding the product name information A2 and the manufacturing quantity information may be displayed, and the product name and quantity may be selected by a pull-down menu or directly input, and the product name information A2 and the product quantity information may be transmitted to the database 170. Note that the product name information and the like may be input to the database 170 in advance.

[0036] In the receiving unit 40 of the management unit 80, the power consumption information A1 and the various information A6 received from the transmitting unit 70 are received. Note that information such as the product name information A2 and the manufacturing quantity information may be received by the receiving unit 40 together with the various information A6, received by another transmission / reception means, or input from the terminal 160 of the management unit 80, and input to the database 170 by such methods.

[0037] The database 170 stores at least the power consumption information A1, the information A4 regarding the usage time of the device, the product name information A2, and the product-specific power consumption information A5.

[0038] The processing unit 180 calls at least the power consumption information A1, the product name information A2, and the information A4 regarding the usage time of the device from the database 170, calculates the power consumption information A5 by product based on this information, and stores it in the database 170.

[0039] In this way, although the power consumption management system 2 according to the second embodiment has different means for acquiring the power consumption information A1 and the product name information A2 from those of the power consumption management system 1 according to the first embodiment, the terminal device 120 (imaging means) can access the database 170 of the management unit 80 by imaging the identification label 112, and transmits at least the information A4 regarding the usage time of the device to the database. The management unit 80 has the database 170 and the processing unit 180, manages the power consumption information A5 by product acquired based on the power consumption information A1, the information A4 regarding the usage time of the device, and the product name information A2. The processing unit 180 calculates the power consumption information A5 by product based on at least the power consumption information A, the information A4 regarding the usage time of the device, and the product name information A2. Thus, also by this method, among the power consumption of the device, the "power consumption of the device used for manufacturing the target product" can be measured and managed. As a result, it is possible to measure even the greenhouse gas emissions per product, and it becomes possible to visualize the greenhouse gas emissions per product (carbon footprint; CFP).

[0040] Note that the power consumption management system 2 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the power consumption management system 1 according to the first embodiment except for the different means for acquiring the power consumption information A1 and the product name information A2, and thus has the corresponding effects among the effects that the power consumption management system 1 according to the first embodiment has.

[0041] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0042] (1) The positions, connections, numbers, etc. described in each of the above embodiments (including each modification example; the same applies hereinafter) are examples, and can be changed within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention.

[0043] (2) In each of the above embodiments, information regarding the quantity of products manufactured using ModBus was acquired, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Information regarding the quantity of products may be included in the identification label, or the quantity of products to be manufactured may be acquired from another document such as a production plan document, etc., or access may be made to a database to read the data stored in the database.

[0044] (3) In each of the above embodiments, a manufacturing apparatus was used as the apparatus, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As the apparatus, apparatuses and facilities other than the manufacturing apparatus, such as heating / cooling apparatuses (heaters, etc.), lighting apparatuses, compressors, etc., can also be used. In the case of a lighting apparatus, etc., when manufacturing a plurality of products in parallel and using them collectively, it is preferable to calculate the portion used for manufacturing each product by prorating.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0045] 1... Power consumption management system, 10... Current detection means, 20... Transmission means, 30... Processing unit, 31... Power meter analog circuit unit, 32... Wi-Fi module, 33... Microcomputer, 34... Power supply unit, 35... LoRa transmission module, 40... Reception unit, 100... Manufacturing apparatus, 110... Delivery note, 112... Identification label, 120... Terminal device, 140... External power supply, 150... Cable, 160... Terminal, 170... Database, A1... Power consumption information, A2... Product name information, A3... Information regarding the identification label, A4... Information regarding the usage time of the manufacturing apparatus, A5... Product-by-product power consumption information, A6... Various information

Claims

1. A power consumption management system for managing the power consumption of a device used to manufacture a predetermined product in association with the product name of the product, comprising: the power consumption management system includes a current detection means, an imaging and transmission means, a processing unit, and a management unit; the current detection means is attached to a cable that supplies current to the device, detects the current flowing through the cable, and transmits it to the processing unit as power consumption information; the imaging and transmission means captures an identification label and transmits information including information on the usage time of the device and product name information to the processing unit; the processing unit generates product-specific power consumption information by associating at least the power consumption information, the information on the usage time of the device, and the product name information, and transmits it to the management unit; the management unit receives and manages the product-specific power consumption information transmitted from the processing unit, characterized in that it is a power consumption management system.

2. A power consumption management system for managing the power consumption of a device used to manufacture a predetermined product in association with the product name of the product, comprising: the power consumption management system includes a current detection means, an imaging means, a transmission unit, and a management unit; the current detection means is attached to a cable that supplies current to the device, detects the current flowing through the cable, and transmits it to the transmission unit as power consumption information; the transmission unit transmits information including at least the power consumption information to the management unit; the imaging means can access the database of the management unit by capturing an identification label, and transmits information including at least product name information and information on the usage time of the device to the database; the management unit has the database and a processing unit, and manages the power consumption information, the information on the usage time of the device, the product name information, and the product-specific power consumption information calculated based on these information; the database stores at least the power consumption information, the information on the usage time of the device, the product name information, and the product-specific power consumption information; the processing unit calculates the product-specific power consumption information based on at least the power consumption information, the information on the usage time of the device, and the product name information, characterized in that it is a power consumption management system.

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