Opening and closing system

The switching system integrates a current detector and control unit within a single-phase three-wire switch to reduce labor and cost by eliminating the need for on-site installation of current detectors and cables, enhancing installation efficiency for power storage devices.

JP2025115771APending Publication Date: 2025-08-07NICHICON CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024010409
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-01-26
Publication Date
2025-08-07

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Installing a current detector in the distribution board or laying a transmission cable from the current detector to a power storage device is labor-intensive and costly.

Method used

A switching system with a single-phase three-wire switch that integrates a switching means, current detector, and control unit, where the current detector and switching means are housed in the switch, and a cable transmits detection results to the power storage device, allowing control unit operation without on-site installation of additional detectors.

Benefits of technology

Reduces labor and cost associated with installing current detectors and laying cables for power storage devices by integrating detection and control functions within the switch, simplifying installation and reducing the need for additional construction work.

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Abstract

To reduce at least one of the labor and cost involved in installing a current detector or laying a cable for transmission from the current detector to a power storage device.SOLUTION: An opening and closing system includes a switch (1) having switching means (latching relays 33U, 33O, 33W), current detectors (50U, 50W) and a control unit (40), and a cable (90) for transmitting information between a power storage device and the switch, and the cable has a transmission path for transmitting the detection results of the current detector to the power storage device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a switching system including a switch. [Background technology]

[0002] A single-phase three-wire switch is a switch that is applied to a relatively low-voltage line, such as a line inside a building such as a house. Such a switch that uses a relay is known in the prior art. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7227420 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Compared with mechanical switches, switches using switching means such as relays can easily operate in conjunction with external devices. Therefore, it is expected that such switches will be used in conjunction with power storage devices, for example, in homes and other facilities. However, when installing a power storage device in a home or other facility, it is sometimes necessary to prevent reverse power flow from the power storage device to the commercial grid. For this reason, it has been necessary to install a current detector in the distribution board. Installing a current detector in the distribution board, which is on-site work at a home or facility, or laying a transmission cable from the current detector to the power storage device, requires labor and cost, so a technology that can reduce these costs is needed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a switching system including a single-phase three-wire switch and a cable for transmitting information between a power storage device and the switch, wherein the switch has a switching means for opening and closing a connected line, a current detector for detecting a current flowing in from the connected line, and a control unit, the switching means and the current detector are housed in a housing of the switch, and the control unit controls the switching means to open and close the connected line in accordance with an instruction from the power storage device via the cable, and the cable has a transmission path for transmitting the detection result of the current detector to the power storage device. Here, the "switching means" refers to a component that receives an external signal and operates a switching element (such as a contact) to switch the line between closed (connected) and open (disconnected). [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a switching system can be provided that can reduce at least one of labor and cost related to installing a current detector or laying a cable for transmission from the current detector to a power storage device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a switching system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which terminal block covers are removed from a switch. [Figure 2] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a switch protection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view showing the appearance of a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, with terminal block covers removed. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional end view showing the main parts of the switch according to the embodiment of the present invention, taken along the line AA in FIG. 4, with the terminal block covers removed. [Figure 6]1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an insulating frame near a first primary-side terminal block of a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, along with two current detectors and a terminal block cover. [Figure 7] 1 is a configuration example of a power system to which a switching system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 8] 1 is a configuration example of a power system to which a switching system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. Unless otherwise specified, the components, materials, and numerical values described in this specification are merely examples. Therefore, for example, unless otherwise specified, the positional and connection relationships of the components are not limited to the examples in the drawings. The shapes and dimensions (length, width, height, etc.) of the components shown in the drawings in this application do not necessarily reflect the actual shapes and dimensions, and have been changed as appropriate for clarity and simplification of the drawings.

[0009] [Embodiment] <Outline of the switching system and circuit configuration> A switching system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a switch 1 and a cable 90 connected to the switch 1. The cable 90 includes a transmission path for transmitting information between the switch 1 and a power storage device 300, which will be described later. The switch 1 is a switch provided on a single-phase three-wire line. The switch 1 can switch the state of connection between a primary line connected to the switch 1 and a secondary line connected to the switch 1 between an open circuit (disconnected, OFF) and a closed circuit (connected, ON). An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a switching system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the switch 1 has an overall appearance of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The housing of the switch 1 is mainly composed of an insulating frame 2, a cover case 5, and a bottom plate 6 (not shown in FIG. 1) (described below). Generally, a switch is used by being fixed so that its bottom surface is in contact with the wall of a distribution board or the like. In this specification, the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the switch 1 is referred to as the height direction. In addition, with regard to the height direction, the side closer to the bottom surface of the switch 1 is referred to as the "lower side" or "lower," and the side farther from the bottom surface is referred to as the "upper side" or "higher."

[0011] The cover case 5 is configured to cover the upper side of the insulating frame 2. In this specification, the direction perpendicular to the height direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the switch 1 is referred to as the width direction. The side surfaces of the housing of the switch 1 that are perpendicular to the width direction are the left side and the right side. The right side of the housing of the switch 1 is visible in the perspective view of FIG. 1. As shown in the figure, the right side of the cover case 5 is provided with an opening for inserting a cable-side connector 90C provided at the end of a cable 90. The cable 90 is connected to the switch 1 by mating a switch-side connector 80C and a cable-side connector 90C (not shown in FIG. 1) provided inside the housing of the switch.

[0012] 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the switch 1. The switch 1 includes a first primary-side terminal block 11, a second primary-side terminal block 12, a secondary-side terminal block 21, and three latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W. The three latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W correspond to the "switching means" of the present invention and are housed inside the housing of the switch 1. The switch 1 also includes two current detectors 50U and 50W, two voltage detectors 60U and 60W, two protection circuits 52U and 52W, and a switch-side connector 80C, all of which are housed inside the housing of the switch 1.

[0013] The first primary side terminal block 11 and the second primary side terminal block 12 are each a terminal block for connecting a primary side line to the switchgear 1. The secondary side terminal block 21 is a terminal block for connecting a secondary side line to the switchgear 1. In other words, the switchgear 1 includes two primary side terminal blocks for connecting two sets of primary side lines, each set being a single-phase three-wire line, and one secondary side terminal block for connecting one set of secondary side lines.

[0014] Each of the first primary terminal block 11, the second primary terminal block 12, and the secondary terminal block 21 has three terminals for connection to the poles (phases) constituting a single-phase three-wire line, i.e., the U pole, the O pole (neutral pole), and the W pole. The first primary terminal block 11 has a U pole terminal 11U, an O pole terminal 11O, and a W pole terminal 11W. The second primary terminal block 12 has a U pole terminal 12U, an O pole terminal 12O, and a W pole terminal 12W. The secondary terminal block 21 has a U pole terminal 21U, an O pole terminal 21O, and a W pole terminal 21W.

[0015] Terminals 11U and 12U, terminals 11O and 12O, and terminals 11W and 12W are electrically connected to each other inside the switch 1. That is, inside the switch 1, the terminals of each pole are electrically connected between the first primary terminal block 11 and the second primary terminal block 12.

[0016] In the switch 1, the terminal 11U and the terminal 21U are connected via a latching relay 33U. The latching relay 33U is a relay that opens and closes the U pole in the switch 1. In the switch 1, the terminal 11O and the terminal 21O are connected via a latching relay 33O. The latching relay 33O is a relay that opens and closes the O pole in the switch 1. Also, in the switch 1, the terminal 11W and the terminal 21W are connected via a latching relay 33W. The latching relay 33W is a relay that opens and closes the W pole in the switch 1.

[0017] Here, the open / closed state of each of the three poles is switched between an open circuit (disconnected, OFF) and a closed circuit (connected, ON). In this way, the switchgear 1 is equipped with three latching relays corresponding to each pole of the single-phase three-wire line, so that the line can be completely separated into the primary side and the secondary side. Furthermore, the switchgear 1 does not include a mechanical switch that is switched by manual operation such as lever operation, or a mechanical mechanism that enables automatic operation without manual operation. Instead of such a mechanism, the switchgear 1 realizes line switching by controlling the latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W by the control unit 40, so the switchgear 1 has a compact configuration.

[0018] More specifically, each of the current detectors 50U and 50W is composed of a through-type current transformer (CT). The current detectors 50U and 50W detect the line currents of the U and W poles, respectively, that flow into the switch 1 from the primary line connected to the first primary terminal block 11. The outputs of the current detectors 50U and 50W are guided to the switch-side connector 80C via protection circuits 52U and 52W, respectively.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of each of protection circuits 52U and 52W. As shown in Fig. 3, protection circuits 52U and 52W are voltage clamp circuits that prevent the current transformer from being destroyed due to excessive voltage generated between the output terminals of the current transformer. In this embodiment, the outputs of current detectors 50U and 50W, which are current signals, are input to power storage device 300 connected to cable 90 directly via cable 90, as well as via protection circuits 52U and 52W.

[0020] The voltage detector 60U detects the voltage between the U and O poles of the primary terminal blocks (first primary terminal block 11 and second primary terminal block 12). The voltage detector 60W detects the voltage between the W and O poles of the primary terminal blocks. In this way, the switchgear 1 is configured to be able to detect the voltage of the line connected to the primary terminal blocks, and therefore it is possible to detect whether or not the commercial system connected to the primary terminal blocks is experiencing a power outage.

[0021] The control unit 40 is a functional block that controls each of the latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W, monitors the voltage detectors 60U and 60W, and appropriately exchanges information with an external device such as the power storage device 300 via a cable 90. The control unit 40 may be configured to include, as hardware, a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and the like. The control unit 40 may be disposed inside the housing (insulating frame 2, cover case 5, and bottom plate 6) of the switch 1 or may be disposed outside the housing.

[0022] The cable 90 includes multiple transmission paths for transmitting at least the following three types of information, but is not limited to these: (1) Information regarding the detection results of the voltage detectors 60U and 60W of the switch 1. Such information may be a signal processed by the control unit 40 of the switch 1 as shown in FIG. 2, or the output signals of the voltage detectors 60U and 60W may be directly transmitted through a predetermined transmission path of the cable 90. Such information may also be information indicating only the presence or absence of a power outage. (2) A signal regarding an opening / closing instruction to the switch 1. (3) Information regarding the detection results of the current detectors 50U and 50W of the switch 1. Such information may be transmitted through a predetermined transmission path as a signal processed by the control unit 40 of the switch 1.

[0023] <Switch 1 casing structure> Furthermore, the structure of the switch 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the switch 1. Fig. 4 corresponds to a view of the switch 1 as seen from above (hereinafter referred to as "plan view") as defined above, and does not show the bottom surface of the switch 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional end view seen from the right side at the position indicated as AA in the plan view of Fig. 4. Because Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional end view, the structure behind the cross-sectional portion is not shown. Furthermore, Fig. 5 schematically shows only the main parts of the switch 1.

[0024] The switchgear 1 is provided with a first primary terminal block 11 at one longitudinal end and a second primary terminal block 12 and a secondary terminal block 21 at the other end. The first primary terminal block 11 contacts a first short side, which is a short side of the rectangular outer sides of the switchgear 1 in a plan view (plan view of FIG. 4). The secondary terminal block 21 contacts a second short side, which is a short side different from the first short side of the rectangular outer sides of the switchgear 1 in a plan view (plan view of FIG. 4). The second primary terminal block 12 is arranged more inward than the secondary terminal block 21 at this end.

[0025] The main part of the housing of the switch 1 is made up of an insulating frame 2. The insulating frame 2 forms a first primary terminal block 11, a second primary terminal block 12, and a secondary terminal block 21 at both ends of the longitudinal direction of the switch 1. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, about half of the lower right side of the housing is made up of the insulating frame 2. Similarly, about half of the lower left side of the housing is also made up of the insulating frame 2.

[0026] The insulating frame 2 is appropriately provided with through holes 9 used to screw the switchgear 1 to the wall surface of a distribution board or the like. The through holes 9 are holes that penetrate the insulating frame 2 in the height direction. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the through holes 9 may be provided near both ends of the switchgear 1 in the longitudinal direction, for example, in a wall 113 of a first primary terminal block 11 (described later) and a wall 211 of a secondary terminal block 21 (described later), but are not limited to these positions.

[0027] Approximately half of the upper left and right sides of the housing and the top surface of the housing are formed by the cover case 5. In the insulating frame 2, a cavity is formed between the portion forming the second primary terminal block 12 and the portion forming the secondary terminal block 21. When the cover case 5 and the bottom plate 6 are attached to the insulating frame 2, this cavity forms the internal space of the housing of the switch 1. The cover case 5 is also a member that closes the opening on the top surface of the cavity. The bottom plate 6 is also a member that closes the opening on the bottom surface of the cavity. Note that, instead of the bottom plate 6 that closes the opening of the insulating frame 2 on the bottom surface of the housing of the switch 1, a cover film may be used to close the opening on the bottom surface.

[0028] <Details of terminal block structure> The first primary terminal block 11 has U-pole terminal 11U, O-pole terminal 11O, and W-pole terminal 11W in this order from the left side of the housing along the first short side. Also, on the left side of the housing, between the terminals of each pole, and on the right side of the housing, there are walls 111, 112, 113, and 114 which are part of the insulating frame 2 and formed integrally with the insulating frame 2.

[0029] The secondary terminal block 21 has U-pole terminal 21U, O-pole terminal 21O, and W-pole terminal 21W in this order from the left side of the housing along the second short side. Also, on the left side of the housing, between the terminals of each pole, and on the right side of the housing, there are walls 211, 212, 213, and 214 that are part of the insulating frame 2 and are formed integrally with the insulating frame 2.

[0030] The second primary terminal block 12 is located more inward than the secondary terminal block 21 in plan view, and has, from the left side of the housing, a U-pole terminal 12U, an O-pole terminal 12O, and a W-pole terminal 12W in this order. Also, on the left side of the housing, between the terminals of each pole, and on the right side of the housing, there are walls 121, 122, 123, and 124 which are part of the insulating frame 2 and are formed integrally with the insulating frame 2.

[0031] The switch 1 may also be provided with a terminal block cover 11C (see FIG. 6) that covers the top of the first primary terminal block 11. Similarly, terminal block covers may be provided to cover the tops of the second primary terminal block 12 and the secondary terminal block 21, respectively. Each terminal block cover may be fitted into a groove provided on the right and left sides of the insulating frame 2 on the left and right sides of each terminal block, as shown in FIG. 1. Note that FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 show the switch 1 without the terminal block covers attached.

[0032] <Configuration inside the housing of switch 1> Next, the main components of the components housed in the internal space defined by the insulating frame 2, the cover case 5, and the bottom plate 6, that is, inside the housing of the switch 1, will be described.

[0033] Inside the housing of the switch 1, a first circuit board 3 is arranged along the bottom plate 6, i.e., along the bottom surface of the housing. The first circuit board 3 is electrically connected to each terminal, and current is introduced through the lines connected to the switch 1. Inside the housing of the switch 1, a second circuit board 4 is arranged along the main surface of the cover case 5, i.e., along the top surface of the housing. The switch-side connector 80C is preferably mounted and fixed on the second circuit board 4. The position of the switch-side connector 80C in a plan view is shown by a dotted line in FIG. 4.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 5, a connector provided on an output line 51U of a current detector 50U may be connected to the second circuit board 4. The same applies to a current detector 50W. By forming the protection circuits 52U, 52W on the second circuit board 4, the output paths of the current detectors 50U, 50W to the switch-side connector 80C shown in the circuit diagram of Fig. 2 can be easily configured.

[0035] The first circuit board 3 holds three latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W. Each of the latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W is fixed to the first circuit board 3 by, for example, soldering. Furthermore, wiring is connected to each latching relay by soldering the connection terminals of the latching relays provided on the bottom surface of each of the latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W to the first circuit board 3. The positions of the three latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W in a plan view are indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 4.

[0036] In a plan view, the latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W are arranged in this order from the left side of the switch 1. The three latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W are arranged on the first circuit board 3 so that the long sides of the rectangular bottom surfaces of the respective latching relays are arranged parallel to each other.

[0037] <Connecting conductor> Each of the above-mentioned terminals (11U, 11O, 11W, 12U, 12O, 12W, 21U, 21O, 21W) and the first and second extensions extending vertically from each terminal constitute a connecting conductor. Such a connecting conductor is also called a bus bar and is made of a metal material with low resistivity, such as copper or aluminum as the main component.

[0038] Each terminal is exposed to the outside of the switch 1 housing and forms the head of each connecting conductor. In each connecting conductor, the extension direction of the first extension portion is perpendicular to the extension direction of the second extension portion. The connecting conductor consisting of the terminal, first extension portion, and second extension portion is L-shaped as a whole. Each connecting conductor forms an insert-molded member consisting of the insulating frame 2. In other words, the insulating frame 2 is molded with the nine connecting conductors embedded and fixed.

[0039] In the switch 1, a first extension portion extends from each terminal toward the interior of the switch 1, parallel to the bottom surface of the switch 1 housing, i.e., parallel to the first circuit board 3, and in the longitudinal direction of the housing. A second extension portion extends from the end of the first extension portion, perpendicular to the bottom surface of the housing, toward the first circuit board 3 on the bottom side. At the end of the extension, the second extension portion is electrically connected to the first circuit board 3 by solder. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a first extension portion 11u1 extends from the terminal 11U toward the interior of the switch 1 housing, and from the end of the first extension portion, a second extension portion 11u2 extends toward the first circuit board 3 on the bottom side. At the end of the extension, the second extension portion 11u2 is connected to the first circuit board 3 by solder.

[0040] <Installing a current detector> Inside the housing of the switch 1, the current detector 50U is attached to the first extension 11u1 of the U-pole connecting conductor, and the current detector 50W is attached to the first extension 11w1 of the W-pole connecting conductor. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of the insulating frame 2 near the first primary terminal block 11. Fig. 6 shows the portion of the insulating frame 2 near the first primary terminal block 11 with the terminal block cover 11C of the first primary terminal block 11 attached. Fig. 6 shows the state before the second extensions of the connecting conductors are soldered to the first circuit board 3.

[0041] In Figure 6, reference numeral 6p1 denotes a plan view, reference numeral 6p2 denotes a view of the insulating frame 2 as seen from the longitudinal direction of the switch 1, and reference numeral 6p3 denotes a perspective view. On the inner side of the side surface of the insulating frame 2 along the first short side, protrusions 71, 72, 73, and 74 that protrude into the housing are provided near the bottom. Protrusions 71 and 72 are protrusions that fit into part of the outer periphery of the attached current detector 50U, and their respective upper surfaces are curved to follow the outer periphery of the current detector 50U. Protrusion 71 is located closer to the left side of the housing than the first extension 11u1 of the U-pole connecting conductor, and protrusion 72 is located closer to the center of the housing in the left-right direction.

[0042] Protrusions 73 and 74 are protrusions that fit onto part of the outer periphery of the installed current detector 50W, and each has a curved upper surface that follows the outer periphery of the current detector 50W. Protrusion 73 is located closer to the center of the housing in the left-right direction than the first extension 11w1 of the W-pole connecting conductor, and protrusion 74 is located on the right side of the housing. In addition, a rib 75 that protrudes toward the inside of the housing is provided on the inner side of the side surface of the insulating frame 2 along the first short side. Rib 75 is located above the first extension 11o1 of the O-pole connecting conductor and is provided between and in contact with the installed current detectors 50U and 50W.

[0043] A spacer 8u fixed to the first extension 11u1 is disposed above the first extension 11u1 of the connecting conductor for the U-pole, and is inscribed on a portion of the side surface of the through hole of the current detector 50U. Similarly, a spacer 8w fixed to the first extension 11w1 is disposed above the first extension 11w1 of the connecting conductor for the W-pole, and is inscribed on a portion of the side surface of the through hole of the current detector 50W. During the process of soldering to the first circuit board 3, the connecting conductors are heated, and a thermal load is applied to the current detectors 50U and 50W through the connecting conductors, which may degrade their characteristics.

[0044] However, in the switch 1 of this embodiment, these current detectors are positioned by spacers (spacer 8u, spacer 8w) so that they do not directly contact the connecting conductors, thereby suppressing heat conduction from the connecting conductors during the soldering process. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the switch 1 with built-in current detectors 50U and 50W can be manufactured without applying an excessive heat load that would deteriorate the characteristics of these detectors.

[0045] <Application example 1 of opening and closing system> 7 is a diagram showing an example of a situation in which the switching system according to the embodiment is applied. In this application example, the switching system according to the embodiment is applied to a power system in a house or the like that receives power from a commercial power system 101 and is also equipped with a power storage device 300.

[0046] The switchgear 1 is disposed in a distribution board 15 installed in the house or the like. The distribution board 15 is provided with an earth leakage breaker 151 which is a master breaker, a plurality of branch breakers 152, and a bus bar 153 which connects the earth leakage breaker 151 and the branch breakers 152. In this example, an earth leakage breaker 154 for the power storage device 300 is also disposed on the surface of the distribution board 15 and connected to the bus bar 153. In the distribution board 15, the secondary line 21L connected to the secondary terminal block 21 of the switchgear 1 is connected to the earth leakage breaker 151 which is a master breaker.

[0047] Electric power is supplied from a commercial grid 101 to a switchgear 1 disposed in a distribution board 15 via a smart meter 102 and a breaker 103. If the smart meter 102 has a breaker function, a separate breaker 103 may not be required. A primary line 11L from the commercial grid 101 is connected to the first primary terminal block 11 of the switchgear 1. In this application example, no line is connected to the second primary terminal block 12 of the switchgear 1. Therefore, in this application, the second primary terminal block 12 and the connecting conductors of the second primary terminal block 12 may be omitted in the switchgear 1. Furthermore, in the switchgear 1, the current detectors 50W and 50U may be provided in the connecting conductors of the secondary terminal block 21 instead of the connecting conductors of the first primary terminal block 11.

[0048] The power storage device 300 is a device that stores power and discharges it as needed. The power storage device 300 includes a power storage unit 302 formed of a secondary battery or the like, and a power storage control unit 301 that controls charging and discharging of the power storage unit 302. The power storage control unit 301 may be a control device generally called a PCS (Power Conditioning Subsystem).

[0049] The power storage control unit 301 of the power storage device 300 executes required operations of the power storage device 300 by utilizing mutual information transmission with the switch 1 via the cable 90. For example, when a power outage occurs in the commercial grid 101, the power storage control unit 301 recognizes that a power outage has occurred in the commercial grid 101 based on information from the switch 1 regarding the detection results of the voltage detectors 60U and 60W. In this case, the power storage control unit 301 autonomously determines that independent operation should be performed, or decides to perform independent operation upon receiving an instruction to perform independent operation from a user who has recognized the power outage. When it is decided to perform independent operation, the power storage control unit 301 instructs the switch 1 to open (disconnect, OFF).

[0050] When the switch 1 opens the line in accordance with the instruction, the power storage control unit 301 supplies power to the house by discharging the power storage unit 302, thereby executing independent operation. Furthermore, when the power storage control unit 301 recognizes that power has been restored based on information from the switch 1 about the detection results of the voltage detectors 60U and 60W while the power storage control unit 301 is executing independent operation, it temporarily stops the power supply and instructs the switch 1 to close (connect, ON), thereby returning to the normal state. In this way, the power storage device 300 can execute independent operation and recovery by the power storage device 300 during a power outage by acquiring information about the detection results of the voltage detectors 60U and 60W via the cable 90 and transmitting an open / close instruction to the switch 1.

[0051] When there is no power outage in the commercial grid 101, the power storage control unit 301 can operate the power storage device 300 to perform the required charging and discharging operations. A time-shift operation that actively utilizes inexpensive nighttime electricity is one example of such an operation. In this case, reverse power flow from the power storage device 300 to the commercial grid 101 is not permitted. Therefore, the power storage control unit 301 can directly obtain the outputs of the current detectors 50U and 50W built into the switch 1 via the cable 90 and determine whether reverse power flow is occurring. When reverse power flow has occurred or is expected to occur, the amount of discharge from the power storage unit 302 can be reduced to suppress the occurrence of reverse power flow.

[0052] Conventionally, the following construction work is required to install the power storage device 300 in a house or the like and enable the above-mentioned operation. (1) If the existing switch of the distribution board 15 is not compatible with the power storage device 300, the existing switch is replaced with a switch that is compatible with the power storage device 300. (2) In the distribution board 15, a current transformer is installed at a location where the line current of the primary line 11L from the commercial grid 101 can be detected. Note that in Application Example 1, the installation location of the current transformer may be either the primary line 11L or the secondary line 21L in FIG. 7. (3) A cable is laid to connect the switch and the power storage device 300. (4) A cable is laid to take in the output of the current transformer into the power storage device 300.

[0053] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the switchgear 1 has built-in current detectors 50U and 50W, which are current transformers, so there is no need to install a current transformer in the distribution board 15 for controlling the operation of the power storage device 300. The on-site construction work (2) above has had the following difficulties and problems, but these are resolved according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] In addition, conventionally, there were cases where it was not possible to secure enough space inside the distribution board 15 to install a current transformer on an existing line. When there was insufficient space to install a current transformer, a current transformer with the minimum necessary diameter was required. Because the diameters of the power lines constituting the lines (primary line 11L or secondary line 21L) vary depending on the case, multiple types of current transformers with various through-hole diameters had to be prepared for construction work to accommodate power lines of various diameters. There were also cases where the current transformer was installed in the wrong orientation. It was necessary to additionally connect a protection circuit for the current transformer, or if not connected, there was a risk of damaging the current transformer.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in a switching system, a transmission line for connecting the switch and the power storage device 300 and a transmission line for feeding the output of the current transformer into the power storage device 300 are configured as an integrated cable. Distribution board 15 is usually installed inside a home, while power storage device 300 is generally installed outdoors. Therefore, in the past, it was necessary to prepare long cables for connecting the switch and the power storage device 300 and for feeding the output of the current transformer into the power storage device 300, which posed a problem in terms of cost. On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is only necessary to lay these individual cables, which makes installation easier and is advantageous in terms of the cost of the cables themselves and the installation work.

[0056] <Application example 2 of opening and closing system> 8 is a diagram showing another example of a situation in which the switching system according to the embodiment is applied. In this example, in addition to the configuration of Application Example 1, an electric power system in a house or the like also receives the output of a solar panel 201. The output of the solar panel 201 is connected to the electric power system by connecting the second primary-side line 12L to the second primary-side terminal block 12 of the switch 1 via a PV control unit 202 that controls the operation of the solar panel 201 and an earth leakage breaker 203.

[0057] In application example 2, the PV control unit 202 is configured to transmit the output of the solar panel 201 to the power storage control unit 301 of the power storage device 300, so that the power storage control unit 301 can calculate the reverse power flow from the power storage device 300 to the commercial grid 101. Note that instead of obtaining information about the output of the solar panel 201 from the PV control unit 202 of the solar panel 201, the power storage control unit 301 may be configured to obtain the information from a current transformer attached to the second primary-side line 12L.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the specification and drawings are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 Switch 2 Insulating frame (housing) 3 First circuit board (circuit board) 4 Second circuit board 5 Cover case (housing) 6 Bottom plate (housing) 11 First primary terminal block 12 Second primary terminal block 21 Secondary side terminal block 11O, 11U, 11W, 12O, 12U, 12W, 21O, 21U, 21W terminals 11o1, 11u1, 11w1 1st extension section 11o2, 11u2, 11w2 2nd extension section 33O, 33U, 33W Latching relay (switching means) 40 Control Unit 50U, 50W Current Detector 52U, 52W protection circuit 60U, 60W Voltage Detector 80C Switch side connector 90 Cable 90C Cable Side Connector 300 Electricity storage device 301 Power storage control unit 302 Power storage unit 15 Distribution board

Claims

1. A single-phase three-wire switch, A switching system including a cable for transmitting information between the storage device and the switch, The switch is switching means for opening and closing the connected lines; a current detector for detecting a current flowing in from the connected line; a control unit; the switching means and the current detector are housed in a housing of the switch; The control unit controls the switching means in accordance with an instruction from the power storage device via the cable to open or close the connected line; The cable has a transmission path for transmitting the detection result of the current detector to the power storage device.

2. The switching system of claim 1 , wherein the current detector is a current transformer.

3. The switching system according to claim 2 , wherein the switch includes a protection circuit for the current transformer.

4. The switch is an insulating frame that constitutes at least a part of a housing of the switch; a connecting conductor that constitutes a terminal for connecting the line and draws current into the housing; a circuit board housed inside the housing and having the switching means mounted thereon; the connecting conductor is fixed to the insulating frame and connected to the circuit board; 3. The switching system of claim 2, wherein the current transformer is attached to the connecting conductor.

5. The switch is 5. The switching system according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage detector that detects a voltage applied from a connected line, and wherein the control unit transmits information relating to the voltage detected by the voltage detector to the power storage device via the cable.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Switchgear, distribution board, and method for expanding the functionality of the distribution board

    JP7227420B1