Power measurement device and distribution board

Abstract

To provide an electric power measurement device in which measured data stored in a storage unit can be prevented from being erased when the clock time of a clock circuit is initialized.SOLUTION: An electric power measurement device 100 comprises: a measurement circuit 15 measuring electric power consumption in a branch circuit 32 which is installed in a facility 50; a clock circuit 16 counting a clock time; a storage unit 13 storing electric power consumption data in which the clock time counted by the clock circuit 16 is associated to the electric power consumption measured by the measurement circuit 15; and a control unit 12 determining whether or not to erase the electric power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13, on the basis of the current clock time which is set to the clock circuit 16 after electric power supply to the clock circuit 16 is turned off and the clock time counted by the clock circuit 16 is initialized.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power measurement device and a distribution board.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power measurement device that outputs circuit information regarding a plurality of branch circuits and power information of each branch circuit measured by a power meter to an external device, and a distribution board using the same.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventionally, a power meter is provided with an external battery and a built-in power source, and these power sources function as a backup power source during a power outage. However, when the time of the clock circuit that measures the time of the power meter is initialized during battery replacement or a failure of the internal power source, among the power consumption data stored in the storage unit, the power consumption data with a time later than the initialized time, that is, the power consumption data with a future time, is erased.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a power measurement device and a distribution board that can prevent the power consumption data stored in the storage unit from being erased when the time of the clock circuit is initialized.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A power measurement device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a measurement circuit that measures power consumption in a branch circuit provided in a facility, a clock circuit that measures time, a storage unit that stores power consumption data in which the time measured by the clock circuit is associated with the power consumption measured by the measurement circuit, and a control unit that determines whether to erase the power consumption data stored in the storage unit based on the current time set in the clock circuit after the power supply to the clock circuit is turned off and the time measured by the clock circuit is initialized.

[0007] A distribution board according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above power measuring instrument.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a power measurement device and a distribution board can be realized that can prevent the power consumption data stored in the storage unit from being erased when the time of the clock circuit is initialized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that all the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest-level concept are described as optional components.

[0011] Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily drawn precisely. Also, in each figure, substantially the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) [1. Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power measurement device and a distribution board according to an embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the power measurement device 10 and the distribution board 20 according to the embodiment may be a power measurement system 100 communicably connected to an external device 60. The external device 60 is a device equipped with a clock circuit for measuring time, and is not particularly limited as long as it can communicate with the power measurement device 10. For example, it is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer.

[0013] [Distribution board] As shown in FIG. 1, the distribution board 20 includes a main breaker 21, a plurality of branch breakers 22, and a power measurement device 10. The distribution board 20 is provided in the facility 50 and is arranged inside the facility 50. The facility 50 is, for example, a detached house. The facility 50 includes a plurality of rooms partitioned by walls or doors.

[0014] The distribution board 20 has a main breaker 21 for turning on or off the power supply from the system power source 30. The main breaker 21 is a breaker that stops the power supply from the system power source 30 when a current exceeding a predetermined current (for example, a current based on the power defined in the contract with the power company) flows from the system power source 30.

[0015] In addition, the distribution board 20 has a plurality of branch breakers 22 for each of a plurality of branch circuits 32 branched from the main circuit 31. That is, the distribution board 20 has a branch breaker 22 for each branch circuit 32. The branch breaker 22 is a breaker that stops the power supply to the branch circuit 32 when an overcurrent flows through the branch circuit 32 connected to the branch breaker 22. Each branch circuit 32 supplies power to a plurality of devices (for example, load 40a) installed in a predetermined room in the facility 50 or a predetermined device (for example, load 40b, load 40c).

[0016] [Power measurement device] The power measurement device 10 measures the power consumption in each of a plurality of branch circuits 32 provided in the facility 50. In other words, the power measurement device 10 is a multi-circuit power meter.

[0017] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the power measurement device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, a storage unit 13, a time storage unit 14, a measurement circuit 15, a clock circuit 16, a backup power source 17, a display unit 18, and a reception unit 19.

[0018] The communication unit 11 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the power measurement device 10 to communicate with an external device 60. The communication performed by the communication unit 11 is, for example, wireless communication, but may also be wired communication. The communication standard used for communication is not particularly limited either.

[0019] The control unit 12 performs various information processes related to the control of the power measurement device 10. Specifically, the control unit 12 is realized by a processor, a microcomputer, or a dedicated circuit. The specific operation of the control unit 12 will be described later.

[0020] The storage unit 13 is a storage device that stores programs executed by the control unit 12, collected data, and the like. The collected data is, for example, power consumption data in which the power consumption of each branch circuit 32 measured by the measurement circuit 15 is associated with the time measured by the clock circuit 16. The storage unit 13 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a semiconductor memory.

[0021] The time storage unit 14 is a storage device that periodically stores the time measured by the clock circuit 16. The time storage unit 14 is realized by, for example, an HDD or a semiconductor memory.

[0022] The measurement circuit 15 measures the power consumption in the branch circuit 32 provided in the facility 50. The measurement circuit 15 includes CTs (Current Transformers) provided in a plurality of branch circuits 32, and measures the power consumption for each branch circuit 32 by the CTs.

[0023] The clock circuit 16 clocks the time.

[0024] The backup power supply 17 is used by the clock circuit 16 when the facility 50 experiences a power outage.

[0025] The display unit 18 displays an image. The display unit 18 displays, for example, a setting screen for setting the current time, including the latest time stored in the time storage unit 14. The display unit 18 is realized by, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal (LC) panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel.

[0026] The reception unit 19 receives the setting operations of the user. The reception unit 19 is realized by, for example, a touch panel or a hardware button.

[0027] [2. Operation] Subsequently, the operation of the power measurement device 10 according to the embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] [First Example] First, the first example of the operation will be described. In the first example, when the facility 50 experiences a power outage and the power supply from the backup power source 17 to the clock circuit 16 is turned off, the time measured by the clock circuit 16 is initialized, and the initialized time is set as the current time. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the first example of the operation of the power measurement device 10 according to the embodiment.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the measurement circuit 15 of the power measurement device 10 measures the power consumption in each of the plurality of branch circuits 32 (S01). The clock circuit 16 measures the time (S02). The processes of steps S01 and S02 may be performed either one after the other or simultaneously.

[0030] Next, the control unit 12 associates the time measured by the clock circuit 16 in step S02 with the power consumption measured by the measurement circuit 15 in step S01 and stores it in the storage unit 13 (S03).

[0031] If the facility 50 does not experience a power outage (No in S04), the power measurement device 10 repeats the processes of steps S01 to S03. On the other hand, when the facility 50 experiences a power outage (Yes in S04), the power supply from the backup power source 17 to the clock circuit 16 is started (S05), and the clock circuit 16 measures the time (S06).

[0032] If the power supply from the backup power source 17 to the clock circuit 16 is not turned off (No in S07), the clock circuit 16 measures the time (S06). On the other hand, when the power supply from the backup power source 17 to the clock circuit 16 is turned off (Yes in S07), the time measured by the clock circuit 16 is initialized (S08). If the power outage of the facility 50 is not resolved (No in S09), the power measurement device 10 stops operating.

[0033] On the other hand, when the power outage of the facility 50 is resolved (Yes in S09), the control unit 12 sets the current time (S10). For example, the control unit 12 may set the current time based on the time information input on the setting screen, or may receive the time information held by the external device 60 from the external device 60 and set the current time based on the received time information.

[0034] Next, the control unit 12 determines whether to erase the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 based on the current time set in the clock circuit 16 in step S10 (S11). For example, in step S11, if the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 is power consumption data indicating power consumption associated with a time in the past compared to the current time set in the clock circuit 16, the control unit 12 determines not to erase the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 (No in S11). Then, the control unit 12 does not erase the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 (not shown).

[0035] On the other hand, in step S11, for example, the control unit 12 determines to erase the power consumption data indicating power consumption associated with a time in the future compared to the current time set in the clock circuit 16 among the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13, and determines not to erase the power consumption data indicating power consumption associated with a time in the past compared to the current time set in the clock circuit 16 among the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 (Yes in S11). Then, the control unit 12 erases the power consumption data of the time in the future compared to the current time among the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13, and does not erase the power consumption data of the time in the past compared to the current time (S12).

[0036] [Second Example] Next, a second example of the operation will be described. In the first example, after the time was initialized, an example of setting the current time based on the time information input by the user to the setting screen or the time information received from the external device 60 was described. In the second example, the time storage unit 14 periodically stores the time measured by the clock circuit 16, and displays the latest time among the stored times on the setting screen. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a second example of the operation of the power measurement device according to the embodiment. In FIG. 3, the same steps are assigned the same step numbers as in FIG. 2. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the first example, and the description of overlapping content will be omitted or simplified.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the measurement circuit 15 of the power measurement device 10 measures the power consumption in each of the plurality of branch circuits 32 (S01), and the clock circuit 16 measures the time (S02). The processing of steps S01 and S02 may be performed either first or simultaneously.

[0038] Next, the control unit 12 causes the time storage unit 14 to periodically store the time measured by the clock circuit 16 in step S02 (S21). For example, the control unit 12 may store the time measured by the clock circuit 16 in the time storage unit 14 every minute.

[0039] Next, the control unit 12 associates the power consumption measured by the measurement circuit 15 in step S01 with the time measured by the clock circuit 16 in step S02 and stores it in the storage unit 13 (S03).

[0040] If the facility 50 does not experience a power outage (No in S04), the power measurement device 10 repeats the processing of steps S01, S02, S21, and S03. On the other hand, when the facility 50 experiences a power outage (Yes in S04), power supply from the backup power supply 17 to the clock circuit 16 is started (S05), and the clock circuit 16 measures the time (S06). The control unit 12 causes the time storage unit 14 to periodically store the time measured by the clock circuit 16 in step S06 (S22).

[0041] If the power supply from the backup power supply 17 to the clock circuit 16 is not turned off (No in S07), the clock circuit 16 measures the time (S06), and the control unit 12 causes the time storage unit 14 to periodically store the measured time (S22). On the other hand, when the power supply from the backup power supply 17 to the clock circuit 16 is turned off (Yes in S07), the time measured by the clock circuit 16 is initialized (S08). If the power outage of the facility 50 is not resolved (No in S09), the power measurement device 10 stops operating.

[0042] On the other hand, when the power outage of the facility 50 is resolved (Yes in S09), the control unit 12 causes the display unit 18 to display a setting screen for setting the current time, including the latest time stored in the time storage unit 14 (S23). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the position of the display unit 18 in the distribution board 20 and the setting screen displayed on the display unit 18. As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 18 displays a setting screen including the latest time stored in the time storage unit 14 as, for example, the current time of the device. For example, the latest time may also be displayed in "Time adjustment (manual input)" in FIG. 4.

[0043] Next, the control unit 12 causes the display unit 18 to present that the latest time displayed on the setting screen is not the accurate current time (S24). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 18 may display "This is not the accurate current time" together with the display of the latest time.

[0044] Next, the control unit 12 sets the current time (S10). For example, the control unit 12 may set the current time based on the time information input on the setting screen, or may receive the time information held by the external device 60 from the external device 60 and set the current time based on the received time information. For example, when the user touches the "Manual Input" button, the latest time is displayed in "Time Adjustment (Manual Input)" in FIG. 4, and the user manually inputs the current time and touches the "Set" button. Thereby, the reception unit 19 receives the input for setting the current time, and the control unit 12 sets the current time according to the received input. Also, for example, when the user touches the "Receive" button next to the "Manual Input" button, the time information held by an external device 60 such as the user's smartphone is received from the external device 60, and the received time information is displayed in "Time Adjustment (Received)" instead of "Time Adjustment (Manual Input)". Then, when the user touches the "Set" button, the reception unit 19 receives the input for setting the current time, and the control unit 12 sets the current time according to the received input.

[0045] Next, based on the current time set in the clock circuit 16 in step S10, the control unit 12 determines whether to erase the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 (S11). For example, in step S11, when the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 indicates power consumption associated with a time in the past compared to the current time set in the clock circuit 16, the control unit 12 determines not to erase the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 (No in S11). Then, the control unit 12 does not erase the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 (not shown).

[0046] In the first and second examples, a notification prompting the user for confirmation may be presented during the current time setting (S10). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a notification to the user during the current time setting. For example, as shown in FIG. 5(a), when the user attempts to set a time in the past as the current time compared to the latest time stored in the time storage unit 14, the control unit 12 may present a notification prompting the user for confirmation as shown in FIG. 5(b). For example, the display unit 18 may display a notification informing the user that the power consumption data for a time after the set time will be deleted and a notification for confirming whether the deletion may be executed. Also, for example, when the user attempts to set a time in the future as the current time compared to the latest time stored in the time storage unit 14, the display unit 18 may display a notification informing the user that the set time will be set as the current time and a notification for confirming whether the setting may be executed.

[0047] [3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the power measurement device 10 according to the embodiment includes a measurement circuit 15 that measures the power consumption in the branch circuit 32 provided in the facility 50, a clock circuit 16 that measures time, a storage unit 13 that stores power consumption data in which the time measured by the clock circuit 16 is associated with the power consumption measured by the measurement circuit 15, and a control unit 12 that determines whether to erase the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 based on the current time set in the clock circuit 16 after the power supply to the clock circuit 16 is turned off and the time measured by the clock circuit 16 is initialized.

[0048] Such a power measurement device 10 determines whether to erase the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 based on the current time set after initialization when the time of the clock circuit 16 is initialized. Therefore, the power measurement device 10 does not erase the power consumption data associated with a time after the time initialized by the time initialization. Thus, the power measurement device 10 can prevent the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 from being erased when the time of the clock circuit 16 is initialized.

[0049] Further, for example, the power measurement device 10 according to the embodiment further includes a backup power source 17 used by the clock circuit 16 when the facility 50 experiences a power outage, and the power supply to the clock circuit 16 is a power supply from the backup power source 17 to the clock circuit 16.

[0050] In such a power measurement device 10, power is supplied from the backup power source 17 to the clock circuit 16 even when the facility 50 experiences a power outage, and when the power supply is turned off, the time of the clock circuit 16 is initialized. Therefore, the power measurement device 10 can measure time by the clock circuit 16 while the power supply from the backup power source 17 is being performed even after the facility 50 experiences a power outage. Accordingly, the power measurement device 10 can reduce the initialization of the time of the clock circuit 16 due to a power outage of the facility 50.

[0051] Further, for example, in the power measurement device 10 according to the embodiment, the control unit 12 determines to erase the power consumption data indicating the power consumption associated with a time in the future compared to the current time set in the clock circuit 16 among the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13, and determines not to erase the power consumption data indicating the power consumption associated with a time in the past compared to the current time set in the clock circuit 16 among the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13.

[0052] Such a power measurement device 10 can hold the power consumption data associated with a time in the past compared to the current time, and thus can prevent all the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 from being erased due to the initialization of the time.

[0053] Further, for example, the power measurement device 10 according to the embodiment further includes a time storage unit 14 that periodically stores the time measured by the clock circuit 16, and a display unit 18 that displays a setting screen for setting the current time, including the latest time stored in the time storage unit 14. The control unit 12 sets the current time based on the time information input on the setting screen.

[0054] Such a power measurement device 10 periodically (e.g., every minute) stores the time measured by the clock circuit 16 in the time storage unit 14. Therefore, even if the facility 50 experiences a power outage, the time can be periodically stored until the power supply to the clock circuit 16 is turned off. As a result, the latest time stored in the time storage unit 14 is closer to the current time. Therefore, the power measurement device 10 can present a time close to the current time on the setting screen, thereby reducing the setting error of the current time by the user.

[0055] Also, for example, in the power measurement device 10 according to the embodiment, the control unit 12 presents that the latest time displayed on the setting screen is not the accurate current time.

[0056] Such a power measurement device 10 presents to the user that the latest time displayed on the setting screen is not the accurate current time, so that the user can more reliably set the current time.

[0057] Also, for example, the power measurement device 10 according to the embodiment further includes a communication unit 11 that receives time information held by an external device 60, and the control unit 12 sets the current time based on the received time information.

[0058] Such a power measurement device 10 can use the time information held by the external device 60 for setting the current time, so that the current time can be set more accurately and conveniently.

[0059] Also, for example, the distribution board 20 according to the embodiment includes any one of the above power measurement devices 10.

[0060] When the time of the clock circuit 16 is initialized, such a distribution board 20 determines whether to erase the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 based on the current time set after initialization by the power measurement device 10. Therefore, the distribution board 20 does not erase the power consumption data associated with a time future than the time initialized by the initialization of the time. Accordingly, the distribution board 20 can prevent the power consumption data stored in the storage unit 13 from being erased when the time of the clock circuit 16 is initialized.

[0061] (Other embodiments) As described above, the embodiments have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0062] For example, in the above embodiment, a process executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of a plurality of processes may be changed, or a plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

[0063] Also, in the above embodiment, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0064] Also, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may constitute one circuit as a whole or may be separate circuits respectively. Also, these circuits may be general-purpose circuits or dedicated circuits respectively.

[0065] Also, the general or specific aspect of the present invention may be realized by a system, a device, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Also, it may be realized by an arbitrary combination of a system, a device, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0066] Also, the order of a plurality of processes in the operation of the power measurement device described in the above embodiment is an example. The order of the plurality of processes may be changed, or the plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

[0067] In addition, forms obtained by applying various modifications that occur to those skilled in the art to the embodiments and the like, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0068] 10 Power measurement device 11 Communication unit 12 Control unit 13 Storage unit 14 Time storage unit 15 Measurement circuit 16 Clock circuit 17 Backup power supply 18 Display unit 19 Reception unit 20 Distribution board 32 Branch circuit 50 Facility 60 External device

Claims

1. A measurement circuit that measures the power consumption in a branch circuit provided in a facility, A clock circuit that measures time, A storage unit that stores power consumption data in which the time measured by the clock circuit is associated with the power consumption measured by the measurement circuit, A control unit that determines whether to erase the power consumption data stored in the storage unit based on the current time set in the clock circuit after the power supply to the clock circuit is turned off and the time measured by the clock circuit is initialized, Comprising A power measurement device.

2. Furthermore, it includes a backup power supply used by the clock circuit when the facility experiences a power outage, The power supply to the clock circuit is the power supply from the backup power supply to the clock circuit The power measurement device according to Claim 1.

3. The control unit Determines to erase the power consumption data indicating the power consumption associated with a time future to the current time set in the clock circuit among the power consumption data stored in the storage unit, Determines not to erase the power consumption data indicating the power consumption associated with a time past to the current time set in the clock circuit among the power consumption data stored in the storage unit The power measurement device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. Furthermore, A time storage unit that periodically stores the time measured by the clock circuit, A display unit that displays a setting screen for setting the current time, including the latest time stored in the time storage unit Comprising The control unit sets the current time based on the time information input on the setting screen. The power measurement device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The control unit presents a notification prompting the user for confirmation in setting the current time. The power measurement device according to Claim 4.

6. Furthermore, it includes a communication unit that receives time information held by an external device from the external device, The control unit sets the current time based on the received time information. The power measurement device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

7. The control unit presents a notification prompting the user for confirmation in setting the current time. The power measurement device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. Comprising the power measurement device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, A distribution board.

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