Solar power communication gateway, communication system, and power supply switching method

Abstract

This invention provides a solar communication gateway, communication system, and power supply switching method that improves the flexibility of the electricity supply method by adjusting the generation and consumption methods of green energy equipment, switching between supplying electricity from solar power generation or selling it back to the grid, supplying electricity via electric vehicles and batteries, and utilizing surplus solar energy. [Solution] The power supply switching method is used to connect a solar communication gateway in series between the power grid and the distribution board, and includes a first smart meter 11 with a built-in first power relay, a second smart meter 12 with a built-in second power relay, and a communication hub 14 for wireless connection to a cloud server 21 or mobile terminal 22. The communication hub is wired to the first smart meter and the second smart meter, respectively. The first smart meter is connected to the second smart meter, and both are connected in series between the power grid and the distribution board, and the second smart meter is used to connect to a solar power inverter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of solar optical communication gateways, and particularly relates to a solar optical communication gateway, a communication system, and a power supply switching method.

Background Art

[0002] With the continuous progress of computer technology and information communication technology, communication has already developed from person-to-person communication to person-to-thing and thing-to-thing communication, and is further evolving from local thing-to-thing connections to horizontal cross-application and cross-region networks.

[0003] A smart solar optical communication gateway connects devices or sensors within a narrow range to a network via nodes, realizes protocol conversion between different types of network devices, realizes interconnection of wide area networks, and also has a device management function to manage information related to each node through the network and realize remote control.

[0004] As an important communication device in the network area, the situation varies depending on the working site conditions.

[0005] Current solar optical communication gateways cannot automatically change the settings of solar power generation and battery facilities according to power consumption, so green energy facilities cannot be used and managed better, resulting in waste.

[0006] Therefore, in the present invention, the applicant has intensively studied a solar optical communication gateway, a communication system, and a power supply switching method to solve the above problems.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The primary objective of this invention is to provide a solar communication gateway, a communication system, and a power supply switching method that address the shortcomings of the existing technologies described above. It enables users to achieve zero carbon emissions by using different green energy equipment and adjusting power generation, energy storage, or consumption methods, and to switch between supplying electricity from surplus solar power or selling it back to the grid. Furthermore, by supplying electricity via electric vehicles or batteries and making full use of surplus solar energy, the flexibility of the electricity supply method can be significantly improved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention employs the following approach.

[0009] The solar power communication gateway is used to connect the power grid and the distribution board in series and includes a first smart meter with a built-in first power relay, a second smart meter with a built-in second power relay, and a communication hub for wireless connection to a cloud server or mobile terminal.

[0010] The communication hub is wired to the first smart meter and the second smart meter, the first smart meter is connected to the second smart meter, and both are connected in series between the power grid and the distribution panel. The first smart meter is used to connect to the power grid.

[0011] The second smart meter is used to connect to the distribution board, solar power inverter, battery, and carbon dioxide heat pump fuel dispenser.

[0012] A good embodiment includes a third smart meter with a built-in third power relay, which is used to connect to an electric-powered vehicle, and the third smart meter is connected to a communication hub.

[0013] As a good example, at least one of the three smart meters—the first smart meter, the second smart meter, and the third smart meter—is a guide rail type smart meter.

[0014] As a good example, the communication hub is connected to the artificial intelligence (AI) chip.

[0015] As a good embodiment, the system further includes memory, which is connected to a communication hub.

[0016] In a good embodiment, a housing is also included, and the communication hub, the first smart meter, and the second smart meter are all installed on the housing.

[0017] A Type 1 communication system includes a cloud server, mobile terminals, solar power inverters, a power grid, a distribution board, and a gateway, the gateway being a solar communication gateway.

[0018] A good embodiment further includes an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is wired to a cloud server or communication hub that directly manages the charging or discharging of the electric vehicle.

[0019] The power supply switching method is applied to the communication system, and the solar communication gateway further includes a third smart meter with a built-in third power relay, the communication hub is connected to the third smart meter, and the third smart meter is connected to a power-driven vehicle used to supply electricity to the distribution board.

[0020] The power supply switching method includes the following steps.

[0021] Step 1 involves first controlling the solar power inverter, battery, or electric vehicle via a communication hub, while simultaneously performing pre-configuration operations. Specifically, the first power relay of the first smart meter is disconnected, the second power relay of the second smart meter is disconnected, and the third power relay of the third smart meter is disconnected.

[0022] Subsequently, it is detected and determined whether the solar optical communication gateway and the cloud server are interconnected. If yes, proceed to step 2; if no, proceed to step 11.

[0023] In step 2, the solar optical communication gateway directly reports the energy source data that has undergone integration and analysis within the first smart meter, the second smart meter, and the third smart meter to the cloud server, and then proceeds to step 3.

[0024] In step 3, the power distribution board is supplied with electricity by the power of the power grid, and at the same time, the battery or the electric vehicle is charged through the communication hub, and then proceeds to step 4.

[0025] In step 4, it is determined whether the solar power generation energy is greater than the energy consumption of the house. If yes, proceed to step 5; if no, keep the first power relay of the first smart meter off through the communication hub and continue to supply electricity to the power grid.

[0026] In step 5, first, open the first power relay of the first smart meter through the communication hub to disconnect the connection with the power of the power grid. Subsequently, charge the battery or the carbon dioxide heat pump fuel dispenser using the solar power generation energy via the communication hub. When the battery or the carbon dioxide heat pump fuel dispenser is full, it is determined whether the solar power generation energy is less than the energy consumption of the house. If yes, proceed to step 2; if no, proceed to step 6.

[0027] ]> In step 6, keep the third power relay of the third smart meter off through the communication hub, and the electric vehicle can be charged with the energy from solar energy. <000009]]

[0028] In step 7, if the electric vehicle is already full or the solar power generation energy is less than the energy consumption of the house, stop charging the electric vehicle; if not, charge the electric vehicle until it is full.

[0029] Step 8 determines whether the solar power generation energy is greater than the energy consumption of the house. If so, proceed to Step 9; if not, return to Step 3.

[0030] Step 9 selects whether to output the solar power generation energy to the power grid or continue to use it only for consumption in the house. If it is selected to output the solar power generation energy to the power grid, the first power relay of the first smart meter is controlled to be disconnected via the communication hub, and then the solar power generation energy is output via the power grid to achieve power selling. Or if it is selected to continue to use it only for consumption in the house, first, the third power relay of the third smart meter is controlled to open via the communication hub, and then the output power of the solar power generation inverter is adjusted via the communication hub to distribute power to each household device in the house until the solar power generation energy is insufficient to supply electricity to each household device in the house. Then proceed to Step 10.

[0031] Step 10 realizes that the communication hub controls the battery or controls the disconnection of the third power relay of the third smart meter, and the electric vehicle supplies electricity to each household device in the house until the battery or the electric vehicle is insufficient to supply electricity to the house devices. Then return to Step 1.

[0032] Step 11 first wirelessly connects the solar communication gateway to the mobile terminal via the short-range wireless communication module, then wirelessly connects the mobile terminal to the cloud server, and then realizes the wireless connection between the solar communication gateway and the cloud server. The solar communication gateway reports the integrated and analyzed energy source data from the first smart meter, the second smart meter, and the third smart meter to the cloud server via the mobile terminal. Then return to Step 3.

Effect of the Invention

[0033] The solar communication gateway, communication system, and power supply switching method of the present invention primarily form a solar communication gateway via a first smart meter, a second smart meter, and a communication hub. Users can achieve zero carbon emissions by using different green energy equipment and adjusting power generation, energy storage, or consumption methods. In particular, the electricity supply method can be switched between supplying electricity from surplus solar power generation or selling it back to the grid. Furthermore, by supplying electricity via electric vehicles or batteries and making full use of surplus solar energy, the flexibility of the electricity supply method can be greatly improved.

[0034] Next, by installing a third smart meter, electric vehicles can be managed collectively, increasing the overall efficiency of energy source usage and enabling electric vehicles to be used as emergency power sources. The communication hub, first smart meter, second smart meter, and third smart meter are all installed on the same housing, resulting in a high degree of integration and further facilitating subsequent installation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] This is an approximate structural diagram of a solar communication gateway according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram illustrating the approximate control principle of a solar communication gateway according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating a power supply switching method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] To further explain the structural features, technical means, and specific objectives and functions that can be achieved thereby, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments, along with diagrams. (One embodiment)

[0037] The following are diagrams and specific implementation methods of the present invention.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the solar power communication gateway is used to connect the power grid and the distribution board in series and includes a housing, memory, a first smart meter 11 with a built-in first power relay, a second smart meter 12 with a built-in second power relay, a third smart meter 13 used for connecting to electric vehicles and with a built-in third power relay, and a communication hub 14 for wireless connection to a cloud server 21 or mobile terminal 22.

[0039] The communication hub 14, the first smart meter 11, the second smart meter 12, and the third smart meter 13 are all installed on the housing 15. The communication hub 14 is connected by wires to the memory, the first smart meter 11, the second smart meter 12, and the third smart meter 13, respectively.

[0040] In this embodiment, the communication hub 14 includes an MCU, external communication interface modules connected to the MCU, and a power management module for power supply. The MCU is connected by wires to the memory, the first smart meter 11, the second smart meter 12, and the third smart meter 13, respectively.

[0041] The external communication interface module includes at least two communication modules, one of which is a remote communication module (e.g., 4G, 5G, 5GA, etc.) primarily used for communication with the cloud server 21. The other is a short-range wireless communication module (e.g., Wi-Fi®, Wi-SUN®, Bluetooth®, etc.) for communicating with various energy sources, household electrical appliance devices (e.g., smart meters for utilities, batteries, carbon dioxide heat pump fuel dispensers, etc.) or mobile terminals.

[0042] In addition to wireless communication channels, the external communication interface module can also be connected via wired LAN, RS485, and PLC, directly handling different energy source devices such as solar power inverters, electric vehicle charging / discharging devices, network routers, and electric vehicles.

[0043] The first smart meter and the second smart meter 12 are connected, and both are connected in series between the power grid and the distribution panel. The distribution panel is used to supply power to household devices.

[0044] The first smart meter is used to connect to the power grid. In this embodiment, the cloud server 21 can remotely disconnect the connection between the first smart meter 11 and the power grid to reduce current fluctuations or to resolve safety issues during maintenance periods. In addition, when the solar communication gateway of this embodiment detects that energy is flowing from the first smart meter 11 to the power grid, the solar communication gateway of this embodiment automatically disconnects from the power grid. This prevents energy sources (e.g., solar power generation or electric vehicles) from being output to the power grid, ensuring that all green energy sources are used only for household appliances and their corresponding applications.

[0045] The second smart meter 12 is used to connect to the distribution board, solar power inverter, battery, and carbon dioxide heat pump fuel dispenser.

[0046] The second smart meter 12 can measure solar power generation at any time and report it to the cloud server 21 via the communication hub 14. This allows the cloud server 21 to remotely adjust the power of the solar power inverter and manage the battery and carbon dioxide heat pump fueling unit. Energy generated by the solar panels during the day is stored in the battery and / or carbon dioxide heat pump fueling unit and then released at night to power household appliances, maximizing the efficiency of solar energy and reducing the need for the power grid.

[0047] Of the three smart meters—the first smart meter, the second smart meter, and the third smart meter—at least one is a guide rail type smart meter. In this embodiment, the first smart meter 11, the second smart meter 12, and the third smart meter are all guide rail type smart meters.

[0048] The third smart meter 13 is connected to the communication hub 14.

[0049] The third smart meter 13 is used to measure the energy flow between the electric vehicle's charger / discharger and the system. It can switch the power connection of the electric vehicle device using an internal third power relay. As electric vehicles become increasingly common, they can charge or output energy to the power grid like large batteries, and the third smart meter 13 can measure the electrical energy and remotely control household appliances or electric vehicle energy sources for emergency use. Wired cables (e.g., LAN, PLC, RS485, etc.) connect the solar communication gateway of this embodiment to the electric vehicle device or electric vehicle. Through them, the cloud server 21 can communicate directly with the electric vehicle or V2H device, manage the electric vehicle and solar power generation operations, and manage data collection via the new communication center.

[0050] The communication hub 14 is connected to the artificial intelligence (AI) chip. When analyzing energy source data via the AI ​​chip, machine learning is performed. The MCU has a dedicated program area pre-configured, and the AI ​​learning model is continuously updated from the cloud server 21 via MCU OTA.

[0051] The communication system includes a cloud server 21, mobile terminals 22, a solar power inverter, a power grid, a distribution board, a gateway, an electric vehicle, a battery, and a carbon dioxide heat pump fuel dispenser, with the gateway being a solar communication gateway.

[0052] The first smart meter is connected to the interconnected power grid. The second smart meter 12 is connected to the distribution board, solar power inverter, battery, and carbon dioxide heat pump fuel dispenser.

[0053] The cloud server 21 or communication hub is connected to the electric vehicle via a wired connection to directly manage the charging or discharging of the electric vehicle.

[0054] The power supply switching method is applied to communication systems. The following points need to be explained:

[0055] Electric vehicles, also known as EVs, are vehicles that are propelled by electric motors and have local devices to supply stored electricity to the motors, and they can also be used to supply electricity to houses.

[0056] The power supply switching method includes the following steps.

[0057] In Step 1, the solar power inverter, battery, or electric vehicle is first controlled via the communication hub, and pre-configuration operations are performed simultaneously. Specifically, the first power relay of the first smart meter is disconnected, the second power relay of the second smart meter is disconnected, and the third power relay of the third smart meter is disconnected.

[0058] Next, the system detects and determines whether the solar communication gateway and the cloud server are interconnected. If the answer is yes, proceed to step 2; otherwise, proceed to step 11.

[0059] In Step 2, the solar communication gateway itself directly reports energy source data, which has undergone integration and analysis within the first, second, and third smart meters, to the cloud server, and then proceeds to Step 3.

[0060] In step 3, the power grid supplies electricity to the distribution panel, and simultaneously charges the battery or electric vehicle via the communication hub, after which the process proceeds to step 4.

[0061] Step 4 determines whether the solar energy generated is greater than the energy consumed by the house. If yes, proceed to Step 5; otherwise, keep the first power relay of the first smart meter turned off via the communication hub and continue supplying power to the grid.

[0062] In Step 5, first, the first power relay of the first smart meter is opened via the communication hub, disconnecting it from the power grid. Next, solar energy is used via the communication hub to charge the battery or carbon dioxide heat pump fueling unit. When the battery or carbon dioxide heat pump fueling unit is full, it is determined whether the solar energy is less than the energy consumption of the house. If yes, proceed to Step 2; otherwise, proceed to Step 6.

[0063] In step 6, the third power relay of the third smart meter is kept off via the communication hub, allowing the electric vehicle to be charged with solar energy.

[0064] In step 7, if the electric vehicle is already at full capacity or if the solar energy generated is less than the energy consumption of the house, charging of the electric vehicle will stop. Otherwise, charging will continue until the electric vehicle is full.

[0065] Step 8 determines whether the energy generated by solar power is greater than the energy consumed by the house. If yes, proceed to Step 9; otherwise, return to Step 3.

[0066] In step 9, you choose whether to output the solar energy to the power grid or continue using it only for consumption within the house. If you choose to output the solar energy to the power grid, the first power relay of the first smart meter is controlled to disconnect via the communication hub, and then the solar energy is output to the power grid to enable electricity sales. Alternatively, if you choose to continue using it only for consumption within the house, first the third power relay of the third smart meter is controlled to open via the communication hub, and then the output power of the solar inverter is adjusted via the communication hub to match the distribution board to each household device in the house, supplying electricity until the solar energy is insufficient to power each household device in the house. Then proceed to step 10.

[0067] In step 10, the communication hub controls the battery or controls the third power relay of the third smart meter, enabling the power-driven vehicle to supply electricity to each individual household device in the house until the battery or power-driven vehicle runs out of power to supply electricity to the house devices. Then proceed to step 1.

[0068] In Step 11, a short-range wireless communication module is used to first wirelessly connect the solar communication gateway to the mobile terminal, then wirelessly connect the mobile terminal to the cloud server, and subsequently establish a wireless connection between the solar communication gateway and the cloud server. The solar communication gateway reports energy source data, which has been integrated and analyzed from the first smart meter, the second smart meter, and the third smart meter, to the cloud server via the mobile terminal. Then the process returns to Step 3.

[0069] As described above, it primarily forms a solar communication gateway through three components: the first smart meter, the second smart meter, and the communication hub. Users can achieve zero carbon emissions by using different green energy equipment and adjusting their power generation, energy storage, or consumption methods. In particular, the electricity supply method can be switched between supplying electricity from surplus solar power or selling it back to the grid. Furthermore, by supplying electricity via electric vehicles or batteries and making full use of surplus solar energy, the flexibility of the electricity supply method can be greatly improved.

[0070] Next, by installing a third smart meter, electric vehicles can be managed collectively, increasing the overall efficiency of energy source usage and enabling electric vehicles to be used as emergency power sources. The communication hub, first smart meter, second smart meter, and third smart meter are all installed on the same housing, resulting in a high degree of integration and further facilitating subsequent installation.

[0071] The above are merely good embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the claims. Therefore, any minor modifications and equivalent changes and modifications to the above embodiments based on the technical substance of the present invention shall all fall within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 11. First Smart Meter 12. Second Smart Meter 13. Third Smart Meter 14 Communication Hub 15 Housing 21 Cloud Servers 22 Mobile devices

Claims

1. A solar power communication gateway used to connect a power grid and a distribution board in series, which includes a first smart meter with a built-in first power relay, a second smart meter with a built-in second power relay, and a communication hub for wireless connection to a cloud server or mobile terminal, The aforementioned communication hub is wired to the first smart meter and the second smart meter, the first smart meter is connected to the second smart meter, and both are connected in series between the power grid and the distribution panel. The aforementioned first smart meter is used to connect to the power grid. The aforementioned second smart meter is used to connect to a distribution board, a solar power inverter, a battery, and a carbon dioxide heat pump fuel dispenser, and is a solar communication gateway.

2. The solar communication gateway further includes a third smart meter with a built-in third power relay used for connecting to an electric vehicle, and the third smart meter is connected to a communication hub, characterized in that the solar communication gateway is described in claim 1.

3. The solar communication gateway according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the three smart meters—the first smart meter, the second smart meter, and the third smart meter—is a guide rail type smart meter.

4. The solar power communication gateway according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication hub is connected to an artificial intelligence (AI) chip.

5. The solar communication gateway according to claim 1, further comprising a memory, wherein the memory is connected to a communication hub.

6. The solar communication gateway according to claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein the communication hub, the first smart meter and the second smart meter are all installed on the housing.

7. In a communication system including cloud servers, mobile terminals, solar power inverters, power grids, distribution boards, and gateways, The communication system is characterized in that the gateway is a solar power communication gateway according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The communication system further includes an electric vehicle, and the communication system according to claim 7 is characterized in that the electric vehicle is wired so that the cloud server or communication hub directly manages the charging or discharging of the electric vehicle.

9. In a power supply switching method, It is the communication system applied to claim 7 or 8, wherein the solar communication gateway further includes a third smart meter with a third power relay built in, the communication hub is connected to the third smart meter, and the third smart meter is connected to a power-driven vehicle used to supply electricity to a distribution board, The aforementioned power supply switching method includes the following steps: Step 1 involves first controlling the solar power inverter, battery, or electric vehicle via a communication hub, and simultaneously performing pre-configuration operations, namely, disconnecting the first power relay of the first smart meter, disconnecting the second power relay of the second smart meter, and disconnecting the third power relay of the third smart meter. Next, the system detects and determines whether the solar communication gateway and the cloud server are interconnected. If so, it proceeds to step 2; otherwise, it proceeds to step 11. Step 2 involves the solar communication gateway itself directly reporting energy source data, which has undergone integration and analysis within the first, second, and third smart meters, to the cloud server, and then proceeding to Step 3. Step 3 involves the power supply to the distribution panel being provided by the power grid, and simultaneously charging the battery or electric vehicle via the communication hub, after which Step 4 is performed. Step 4 determines whether the solar power generation energy is greater than the energy consumption of the house. If yes, proceed to Step 5; otherwise, keep the first power relay of the first smart meter off via the communication hub and continue supplying power to the power grid. Step 5 first opens the first power relay of the first smart meter via the communication hub, disconnecting it from the power grid. Then, via the communication hub, it uses solar energy to charge the battery or carbon dioxide heat pump fueling unit. When the battery or carbon dioxide heat pump fueling unit is full, it determines whether the solar energy is less than the energy consumption of the house. If yes, proceed to Step 2; otherwise, proceed to Step 6. Step 6 allows the electric vehicle to be charged with solar energy by keeping the third power relay of the third smart meter off via the communication hub. Step 7 stops charging the electric vehicle if the electric vehicle is already at full capacity or if the solar energy generated is less than the energy consumption of the house; otherwise, it charges the electric vehicle until it is full. Step 8 determines whether the energy generated by solar power is greater than the energy consumed by the house. If yes, proceed to step 9; otherwise, return to step 3. Step 9 involves selecting whether to output the solar energy to the power grid or continue using it only for home consumption. If the option to output the solar energy to the power grid is selected, the first power relay of the first smart meter is controlled to disconnect via the communication hub. Subsequently, if the option to output the solar energy to the power grid and sell the electricity, or continue using it only for home consumption is selected, the third power relay of the third smart meter is first controlled to open via the communication hub. Next, the output power of the solar inverter is adjusted via the communication hub to match the distribution board to each household device in the house, and electricity is supplied until the solar energy is insufficient to power each household device in the house. Then, the process proceeds to Step 10. Step 10 is to enable the power-driven vehicle to supply electricity to each individual household device in the house until the communication hub controls the battery or controls the third power relay of the third smart meter to disconnect, and the battery or power-driven vehicle runs out of power to supply electricity to the house devices, and then return to Step 1. Step 11 involves first wirelessly connecting the solar communication gateway to the mobile terminal via a short-range wireless communication module, then wirelessly connecting the mobile terminal to the cloud server, and subsequently establishing a wireless connection between the solar communication gateway and the cloud server. The solar communication gateway reports energy source data, integrated and analyzed from the first smart meter, second smart meter, and third smart meter, to the cloud server via the mobile terminal, and then proceeds to Step 3. A power supply switching method characterized by the following:

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