Non-instantaneous power failure power supply device and non-instantaneous power failure power supply system including the same

Abstract

To provide an uninterruptible power supply device capable of performing sufficient power feeding corresponding to situations of apparatuses to be connected, grasping abnormality such as electric leakage in each apparatus / securing safety, performing operation of efficient power feeding to each apparatus corresponding to a remaining battery capacity, and performing batch management of these operations in a remote location, and an uninterruptible power supply system.SOLUTION: An uninterruptible power supply device comprises: switching means 14 which is provided in a power supply path 102, which communicates to power source output ports 33 and 34, to each apparatus and performs ON / OFF switching control individually or collectively for the plurality of power supply output ports; a single or a plurality of input / output contacts 12 for exchanging signals with the apparatuses; and a state information acquisition unit 4 for acquiring state information of each apparatus via the input / output contact 12. A power supply control unit 4 receives input of a control signal which is created on the basis of the state information of each apparatus, and controls the ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means 14 on the basis of the control signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an uninterruptible power supply device (UPS) with a built-in battery and an uninterruptible power supply system including the same.

Background Art

[0002] An uninterruptible power supply device is intended to continuously supply power to various devices such as servers, personal computers, and communication equipment installed in companies and the like even during a power outage. Systems for remotely managing a plurality of these uninterruptible power supply devices have also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] However, there is no simple management system that can finely monitor and control the power supply to each device connected to the uninterruptible power supply device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, in view of the above-described circumstances, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an uninterruptible power supply device and an uninterruptible power supply system that can achieve efficient power supply according to the status of each connected device, grasp and ensure safety against abnormalities such as leakage of each device, efficient power supply operation to each device according to the remaining battery capacity, and batch management at a remote location with a simple structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention includes the following inventions. (1) An uninterruptible power supply device having a built-in battery, one or more power input ports, a plurality of power output ports, and a power supply control unit for controlling power supply to each device connected to the power output ports, the device being provided with switching means provided in the power supply path to each device communicating with the power output ports for individually or collectively switching ON / OFF of each power output port, one or more input / output contacts for exchanging signals with each device, and a state information acquisition unit for acquiring state information of each device through the input / output contacts, wherein the power supply control unit receives an input of a control signal created based on the state information of each device and controls the ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means based on the control signal.

[0007] (2) An uninterruptible power supply device having a built-in battery, one or more power input ports, a plurality of power output ports, and a power supply control unit for controlling power supply to each device connected to the power output ports, the device being provided with switching means provided in the power input path communicating with the power input ports and the power supply paths to each device communicating with the power output ports for individually or collectively switching ON / OFF of each power input port and each power output port, power meter sensors provided in the power input path and the power supply path respectively, and a power amount information acquisition unit for acquiring information on the amount of power flowing through each of the power input path and the power supply path by the power meter sensors, wherein the power supply control unit receives an input of a control signal created based on the information on the amount of power and controls the ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means based on the control signal.

[0008] (3) An uninterruptible power supply device having a built-in battery, one or more power input ports, a plurality of power output ports, and a power supply control unit for controlling power supply to each device connected to the power output ports, the device being provided with switching means provided in the power input path communicating with the power input ports and the power supply paths to each device communicating with the power output ports for individually or collectively switching ON / OFF of each power input port and each power output port, A non-instantaneous power failure device comprising a capacitance sensor for detecting the capacitance of the battery, and a battery capacitance information acquisition unit for acquiring information on the capacitance of the battery through the capacitance sensor, wherein the power supply control unit receives an input of a control signal created based on the information on the capacitance of the battery, and controls an ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means based on the control signal.

[0009] (4) A non-instantaneous power failure system comprising the non-instantaneous power failure device according to (1) and a management computer communicatively connected to the non-instantaneous power failure device, wherein the management computer comprises a status information reception processing unit for receiving status information of each device, and a control signal generation processing unit for generating a control signal for instructing an ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means and transmitting the control signal to the non-instantaneous power failure device.

[0010] (5) A non-instantaneous power failure system comprising the non-instantaneous power failure device according to (2) and a management computer communicatively connected to the non-instantaneous power failure device, wherein the management computer comprises a power amount information reception processing unit for receiving information on the amount of power flowing through each of the power input path and the power supply path, and a control signal generation processing unit for generating a control signal for instructing an ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means and transmitting the control signal to the non-instantaneous power failure device.

[0011] (6) A non-instantaneous power failure system comprising the non-instantaneous power failure device according to (3) and a management computer communicatively connected to the non-instantaneous power failure device, wherein the management computer comprises a battery capacitance information reception processing unit for receiving information on the capacitance of the battery, and a control signal generation processing unit for generating a control signal for instructing an ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means and transmitting the control signal to the non-instantaneous power failure device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the invention of the present application thus constituted, it has one or a plurality of input / output contacts for transmitting and receiving signals with each device, a state information acquisition unit for acquiring the state information of each device through the input / output contacts, and switching means for individually or collectively performing ON / OFF switching control on the power output ports. The power supply control unit receives the input of a control signal created based on the state information of each device, and controls the ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means based on the control signal. Therefore, when an abnormality such as the operation of each device becoming unstable or freezing occurs, power supply to the device can be stopped, etc., and power supply from the power output ports can be individually managed according to the situation of each device, and efficient power supply can be easily performed.

[0013] Also, it has a power meter sensor provided in each of the power input path and the power supply path, a power amount information acquisition unit for acquiring information on the amount of power flowing through each of the power input path and the power supply path by the power meter sensor, and switching means for individually or collectively performing ON / OFF switching control on the power input port and the power output port. The power supply control unit receives the input of a control signal created based on the information on the amount of power, and controls the ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means based on the control signal. In the case where an abnormal situation such as leakage occurs where a larger current than normal flows through the power input path or the power supply path, power supply to the power circuit can be stopped, etc., and the input port or the output port can be ON / OFF controlled according to the situation, and it becomes easily possible to quickly ensure safety.

[0014] Also, it has a capacitance sensor for detecting the capacitance of the battery, a battery capacitance information acquisition unit for acquiring information on the capacitance of the battery through the capacitance sensor, and switching means for individually or collectively performing ON / OFF switching control on the power input port and the power output port. The power supply control unit receives the input of a control signal created based on the information on the capacitance of the battery, and controls the ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means based on the control signal. In this case, based on the remaining capacity of the battery, efficient operation and more suitable power supply can be easily realized.

[0015] Moreover, by adopting an uninterruptible power supply system including a management computer communicatively connected to the uninterruptible power supply device of the present invention, the management computer can receive information such as the status information of each of the above devices, the power amount of the power circuit of the uninterruptible power supply device, and the battery capacity, and can generate and transmit a control signal for instructing an ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means of the uninterruptible power supply device. Therefore, a multifunctional uninterruptible power supply system capable of collectively managing connected devices remotely at any time and individually controlling power input / output ports as needed can be easily provided without incurring costs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Next, an uninterruptible power supply device according to a representative embodiment of the present invention and an uninterruptible power supply system including the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the uninterruptible power supply device 1 according to the present embodiment incorporates a battery (storage battery) 2 and includes one or more power input ports (AC input port 31, DC input port 32), a plurality of power output ports (AC output port 33, DC output port 34), and a power supply control unit (control unit 4) that controls power supply to each device connected to at least the power output ports (33 / 34). The battery 2 is provided with a BMS (Battery Management Systems) 20 for protecting, securing the safety, and ensuring the performance of the battery and a capacitance sensor 21 for detecting the capacitance of the battery, and the control unit 4 can grasp the state of the battery via the BMS 20.

[0019] In addition, the uninterruptible power supply device 1 includes a communication module 11 for communicating and connecting with the management computer 5 of a remote management center through a communication network N, each device to which power is supplied, independent sensors, switches, lights, buzzers, etc. attached to each device or operating with another separate power source (such as a dry battery), an input / output signal module 12 for transmitting and receiving signals for remote monitoring, an input port switching module 13 as switching means for individually or collectively performing ON / OFF switching control on the input ports 31 / 32, an output port switching module 14 as switching means for individually or collectively performing ON / OFF switching control on the output ports 33 / 34, an AC / DC converter 15 and a DC / DC converter 16 provided on the input path 101 to the battery 2, a DC / AC inverter 17 and a DC / DC converter 18 provided on the supply path 102 from the battery 2, and a controller 19 for opening and closing a bypass path 103 for directly outputting an AC input.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the input port switching module 13 is provided at positions between the AC input port 31 of the power input path 101 and the AC / DC converter 15, and between the DC input port 32 and the DC / DC converter 16, respectively. Also, the output port switching module 14 is provided at positions between the DC / AC inverter 17 of the power supply path 102 and the AC output port 33, and between the DC / DC converter 18 and the DC output port 34, respectively.

[0021] The bypass path 103 is a circuit that branches from a position between the AC input port 31 of the power input path 101 and the input port switching module 13 and connects to a position between the DC / AC inverter 17 of the power supply path 102 and the output port switching module 14, and the controller 19 is provided at the branching or connecting position.

[0022] The input / output signal module 12 is equipped with I / O (input / output) contacts and the like. As input contacts, known photocoupler insulation type contact input terminals and the like can be used, and as output contacts, known relay insulation type contact output terminals and the like can be used. With this input / output signal module 12, the devices connected to the contacts can be easily IOT-enabled, and remote status monitoring and control can be realized. Specifically, as described above, it is also possible to connect sensors, switches, etc. having their own power sources and operate in cooperation with each device. For example, it is possible to detect an input change from a motion sensor having an independent power source (such as a dry battery) and control the output contact operation or power supply to a predetermined device.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the input port switching module 13 consists of a controller 131 that switches the input ports 31 / 32 between ON / OFF, and further includes a wattmeter sensor 132. As shown in Fig. 2(b), the output port switching module 14 consists of a controller 141 that switches the output ports 33 / 34 between ON / OFF, and further includes a wattmeter sensor 142. In this example, the wattmeter sensors 132 and 142 are provided inside the input port switching module 13 and the output port switching module 14, respectively. However, it is of course possible to provide them independently at other positions on the power input path 101 and the power supply path 102.

[0024] The power supply control unit is realized by the processing of the program of the control unit 4. The control unit 4 is mainly composed of a CPU or MPU such as a microprocessor, and has a storage unit composed of a RAM and a ROM (not shown), in which a program and processing data that define the procedures of various processing operations are stored.

[0025] Functionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 4 includes a status acquisition processing unit 41 that functions as a status information acquisition unit to acquire the status information of each device through the input / output signal module 12 and transmit it to the management computer 5, a power amount acquisition processing unit 42 that functions as a power amount information acquisition unit to acquire the information on the amount of power flowing through each of the power input path 101 and the power supply path 102 by the power meters 132 and 142 and transmit it to the management computer 5, a battery capacity acquisition processing unit 43 that functions as a battery capacity information acquisition unit to acquire the information on the electrical capacity of the battery 2 through the capacitance sensor 21 (and further the BMS 20 in this example) and transmit it to the management computer 5, and a power supply control unit 44 including an input port switching processing unit 441 that performs switching processing of the input port and an output port switching processing unit 442 that performs switching processing of the output port. These functions are realized by the above program and the like.

[0026] More specifically, the power supply control unit 44 receives the input of a control signal created based on the status information of each device, the amount of power flowing through each of the power input path and the power supply path, and the information on the electrical capacity of the battery by the management computer 5 described later, and based on the control signal, controls the ON / OFF switching operation of the input port / output port by the input port switching processing unit 441 or the output port switching processing unit 442.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the uninterruptible power supply system S according to this embodiment includes a management computer 5 provided in a remote management sensor or the like that is communicatively connected to the uninterruptible power supply device 1 via the communication network N. As the communication network N, an existing network can be used as a communication means between remote locations. For the communication module 11, a wired LAN, WiFi, or a 3G / 4G / 5G mobile phone communication network can be used.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the management computer 5 is composed of one or more computers including a processing device 50 and a storage means 51. Specifically, centering around the processing device 50, a conventionally widely used computer device including the storage means 51, a communication control unit 52, and an input operation means (not shown) such as a pointing device, a keyboard, and a display can be used.

[0029] The processing device 50 is mainly composed of a CPU such as a microprocessor, and has a storage unit composed of a RAM and a ROM (not shown) in which a program and processing data that define the procedures of various processing operations are stored. The storage means 51 is composed of a memory and a hard disk inside and outside the management computer 5. The content of part or all of the storage unit may be stored in the memory and hard disk of other computers communicatively connected to the management computer 5.

[0030] Functionally, the processing device 50 includes a status information receiving processing unit 50a that receives the status information of each device from the uninterruptible power supply device 1 and stores the information in the status storage unit 51a of the storage means 51; a control signal generation processing unit 50b that generates a control signal for instructing an ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means based on the status information of each device and transmits this to the uninterruptible power supply device; a power amount information receiving processing unit 50c that receives information on the amount of power flowing through each of the power input path 101 and the power supply path 102 from the uninterruptible power supply device 1 and stores it in the power amount storage unit 51b of the storage means 51; a control signal generation processing unit 50d that generates a control signal for instructing an ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means based on the information on the amount of power and transmits this to the uninterruptible power supply device; a battery capacity information receiving processing unit 50e that receives information on the electrical capacity of the battery from the uninterruptible power supply device 1 and stores it in the battery capacity storage unit 51c of the storage means 51; and a control signal generation processing unit 50f that generates a control signal for instructing an ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means based on the information on the battery capacity and transmits this to the uninterruptible power supply device 1. These processing functions are realized by the above program.

[0031] Since the uninterruptible power supply device 1 incorporates the battery 2 and also has a DC input port 32, the transmission of information to the management computer 5 is not interrupted even during a power outage, and reliable remote management by the management computer 5 is possible.

[0032] As an example of the control signal generated and transmitted by the control signal generation processing unit 50b, when abnormal state information indicating that each device has become operationally unstable or frozen is acquired, a signal for controlling the ON / OFF switching operation of the output port by the output port switching processing unit 442 may be generated to stop power supply to the device during that period or to start it when it returns to normal.

[0033] As an example of the control signal generated and transmitted by the control signal generation processing unit 50d, when information indicating that a current larger than normal is flowing through the power input path or the power supply path is acquired, assuming that an abnormal situation such as leakage has occurred, a signal for controlling the ON / OFF switching operation of the corresponding input port or output port by the input port switching processing unit 441 or the output port switching processing unit 442 may be generated to stop power supply to the power circuit.

[0034] Also, as an example of the control signal generated and transmitted by the control signal generation processing unit 50f, based on the remaining capacity of the battery, a signal for controlling the ON / OFF switching operation of the corresponding input port or output port by the input port switching processing unit 441 or the output port switching processing unit 442 may be generated to achieve efficient operation and more suitable power supply.

[0035] For example, when the battery is fully charged or has a capacity close to that, a control signal is generated to turn off the input port by the input port switching processing unit 441 to enter the power failure mode so as to use the battery power rather than the external input power supply, and a control signal is generated to resume the external input when the battery capacity drops below a predetermined amount. Also, especially in the case of a power failure, a signal is generated to control the ON / OFF switching operation of the output port by the output port switching processing unit 442 to select the devices to be powered according to their importance based on the remaining capacity of the battery.

[0036] These control signals may be selected (input) by a person's judgment from the pre-prepared control signals based on the information received from the uninterruptible power supply device 1.

[0037] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to such examples. For example, instead of configuring the processing device in the control unit of the uninterruptible power supply device with software processing by a computer, it is also preferable to configure part or all of it with a hardware processing circuit. Needless to say, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0038] 1 Uninterruptible power supply device 2 Battery 4 Control unit 5 Management computer 11 Communication module 12 Input / output signal module 13 Input port switching module 14 Output port switching module 15 AC / DC converter 16 DC / DC converter 17 DC / AC inverter 18 DC / DC converter 19 Controller 20 BMS 21 Electric capacity sensor 31, 32 Input ports 33, 34 Output ports 41 State acquisition processing unit 42 Electric energy amount acquisition processing unit 43 Battery capacity acquisition processing unit 44 Power supply control unit 50 Processing device 50a State information reception processing unit 50b Control signal generation processing unit 50c Electric energy amount information reception processing unit 50d Control signal generation processing unit 50e Battery capacity information reception processing unit 50f Control signal generation processing unit 51 Storage means 51a State storage unit 51b Electric energy amount storage unit 51c Battery capacity storage unit 52 Communication control unit 101 Input path 102 Supply path 103 Bypass path 131 Controller 132 Power meter sensor 141 Controller 142 Power meter sensor 441 Input port switching processing unit 442 Output port switching processing unit N Communication network S Uninterruptible power supply system

Claims

1. An uninterruptible power supply device having a built-in battery, one or more power input ports, a plurality of power output ports, and a power supply control unit for controlling power supply to each device connected to the power output ports, switching means provided in a power supply path to each device communicating with the power output ports for individually or collectively switching ON / OFF control of each power output port; one or more input / output contacts for transmitting and receiving signals with each device; a status information acquisition unit for acquiring status information of each device through the input / output contacts, wherein the power supply control unit receives an input of a control signal created based on the status information of each device and controls an ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means based on the control signal. The uninterruptible power supply device is characterized by this.

2. An uninterruptible power supply device having a built-in battery, one or more power input ports, a plurality of power output ports, and a power supply control unit for controlling power supply to each device connected to the power output ports, switching means provided in a power input path communicating with the power input ports and a power supply path to each device communicating with the power output ports for individually or collectively switching ON / OFF control of each power input port and power output port; wattmeter sensors respectively provided in the power input path and the power supply path; a power amount information acquisition unit for acquiring information on the amount of power flowing through each of the power input path and the power supply path by the wattmeter sensors, wherein the power supply control unit receives an input of a control signal created based on the information on the amount of power and controls an ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means based on the control signal. The uninterruptible power supply device is characterized by this.

3. An uninterruptible power supply device having a built-in battery, one or more power input ports, a plurality of power output ports, and a power supply control unit for controlling power supply to each device connected to the power output ports, switching means provided in a power input path communicating with the power input ports and a power supply path to each device communicating with the power output ports for individually or collectively switching ON / OFF control of each power input port and power output port; a capacitance sensor for detecting the capacitance of the battery; a battery capacity information acquisition unit for acquiring information on the capacitance of the battery through the capacitance sensor, The power supply control unit receives an input of a control signal created based on information on the electric capacity of the battery, and controls the ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means based on the control signal. A non-instantaneous power failure apparatus characterized by this.

4. A non-instantaneous power failure system comprising the non-instantaneous power failure apparatus according to claim 1, and a management computer communicably connected to the non-instantaneous power failure apparatus, wherein the management computer comprises a status information receiving processing unit that receives status information of each device, and a control signal generating processing unit that generates a control signal for instructing the ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means and transmits this to the non-instantaneous power failure apparatus. A non-instantaneous power failure system.

5. A non-instantaneous power failure system comprising the non-instantaneous power failure apparatus according to claim 2, and a management computer communicably connected to the non-instantaneous power failure apparatus, wherein the management computer comprises a power amount information receiving processing unit that receives information on the amount of electric power flowing through each of the power input path and the power supply path, and a control signal generating processing unit that generates a control signal for instructing the ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means and transmits this to the non-instantaneous power failure apparatus. A non-instantaneous power failure system.

6. A non-instantaneous power failure system comprising the non-instantaneous power failure apparatus according to claim 3, and a management computer communicably connected to the non-instantaneous power failure apparatus, wherein the management computer comprises a battery capacity information receiving processing unit that receives information on the electric capacity of the battery, and a control signal generating processing unit that generates a control signal for instructing the ON / OFF switching operation by the switching means and transmits this to the non-instantaneous power failure apparatus. A non-instantaneous power failure system.

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