System for measuring electrical characteristics of blower equipment

Abstract

This system (100) for measuring the electrical characteristics of blower equipment comprises: a blower equipment cluster (1a) formed from a plurality of blower equipment supplied with power from a single power supply device (6); a plurality of switches (2) assigned respectively to a plurality of groups obtained by separating the blower equipment cluster (1a) into said plurality of groups that each include one or a plurality of the blower equipment, with each switch starting and stopping the blower equipment assigned to a group; and an electrical characteristics measuring device (3) that measures a total value of the electrical characteristics of the blower equipment cluster (1a). The system (100) for measuring the electrical characteristics of blower equipment calculates a value of steady-state electrical characteristics of the blower equipment in each group on the basis of switch (2) start / stop data, which is operation data from when the switch (2) performed the operation of starting or stopping the blower equipment assigned to the switch (2), and measurement data on the total value of the electrical characteristics. The system (100) for measuring electrical characteristics is useful for the maintenance and preservation of blower equipment.

Description

Electrical characteristics measurement system for air blowers

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower in which drive power is supplied to a plurality of blowers from a single power source.

[0002] Patent Document 1 proposes a control method for controlling the timing of starting up multiple devices in accordance with the magnitude of the peak current when the devices are started up. The control method described in Patent Document 1 identifies the peak current of a device based on a change in the magnitude of the current after the device is started up, so that the timing of starting up each device can be controlled so as not to exceed the power supply capacity, even if the device does not have a function for managing the peak current.

[0003] JP 2012-58982 A

[0004] In a system where multiple air blowers are installed and powered by the same power source, a relatively large number of units are connected to the same power source, and each unit is started and stopped individually. After starting up, air blowers have small load fluctuations after reaching rated operation, and fluctuations in their electrical characteristics are also small. In order to manage the status of such air blowers and appropriately detect abnormalities in the air blowers early, it is important to individually acquire and understand the steady-state electrical characteristics of each unit.

[0005] However, with the control method described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to grasp the electrical characteristics of the equipment in a steady state. Furthermore, if a measuring instrument for measuring the electrical characteristics of the air blower is installed individually for each air blower, the system configuration becomes complicated.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an electrical characteristic measurement system for a blower that can individually acquire the steady-state electrical characteristics of a blower in an environment where power is supplied to multiple blowers from the same power source, without having to install a measuring instrument for measuring the electrical characteristics of the blower individually for each blower.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present disclosure provides a system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower, comprising: a blower group consisting of a plurality of blowers supplied with power from a single power supply; a plurality of switches assigned to each of the plurality of groups, each group consisting of one or more blowers, for starting and stopping the blowers assigned to the group; and an electrical characteristics measuring device for measuring the total value of the electrical characteristics of the blower group. The system calculates steady-state electrical characteristics of each group of blowers based on switch start / stop data, which is operation data when the switch starts or stops the blower assigned to the switch, and measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, in an environment in which power is supplied to multiple air blowers from the same power source, it is possible to individually obtain the steady-state electrical characteristics of the air blowers without having to install a measuring instrument for measuring the electrical characteristics of the air blowers for each air blower.

[0009] 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electrical characteristic measurement system for a blower according to a first embodiment; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a blower provided in the electrical characteristic measurement system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a switch provided in the electrical characteristic measurement system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electrical characteristic measurement device provided in the electrical characteristic measurement system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control device provided in the electrical characteristic measurement system according to the first embodiment; a characteristic diagram showing the waveform of transition data of electrical characteristics in a steady state of a blower provided in the electrical characteristic measurement system according to the third embodiment; a diagram showing the configuration of an electrical characteristic measurement device provided in the electrical characteristic measurement system according to the fourth embodiment; a diagram showing the configuration of a centrifugal blower which is a blower provided in the electrical characteristic measurement system according to the fifth embodiment; a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the electrical characteristic measurement system according to the fifth embodiment; a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the electrical characteristic measurement system according to the sixth embodiment; a diagram showing the configuration of an electrical characteristic measurement device provided in the electrical characteristic measurement system according to the seventh embodiment; a diagram showing the configuration of a learning device according to the seventh embodiment; a flowchart showing the processing procedure of learning processing by the learning device according to the seventh embodiment; a diagram showing the configuration of an inference device according to the seventh embodiment; a flowchart showing the processing procedure of inference processing by the inference device according to the seventh embodiment; a diagram showing a configuration in which each function of the control unit according to the first to seventh embodiments is realized by hardware;

[0010] Hereinafter, a system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a system 100 for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to a first embodiment. The system 100 for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower includes a blower group 1a consisting of a plurality of blowers 1, a plurality of switches 2, an electrical characteristic measuring device 3, and a control device 4. Note that hereinafter, the system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower may be simply referred to as the electrical characteristic measuring system.

[0012] In the electrical characteristic measurement system 100, the air blowers 1 included in the air blower group 1a are electrically connected to a single power supply device 6. That is, in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100, drive power is supplied from a single power supply device 6 to all of the air blowers 1 included in the air blower group 1a. As shown in FIG. 1 , the electrical characteristic measurement device 3, the multiple switches 2, the multiple air blowers 1, and the power supply device 6 are electrically connected by electric wires 5 that supply power from the power supply device 6 to the air blowers 1. That is, the power supply device 6 and the electrical characteristic measurement device 3, the electrical characteristic measurement device 3 and the switch 2, and the switch 2 and the air blower 1 are electrically connected by the electric wires 5. Also, in FIG. 1 , communication paths between components in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 are indicated by dashed lines.

[0013] The air blowing device 1 is a device having an air blowing function, such as a ventilation fan, a blower, or an electric fan. The electrical characteristic measurement system 100 includes a plurality of air blowing devices 1. The plurality of air blowing devices 1 are electrically connected to a single power supply device 6 by electric wires 5, and are supplied with driving power from the power supply device 6. In other words, the air blowing devices 1 are supplied with power from the power supply device 6.

[0014] 1 shows a fan as a part of the fan 1 included in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100. Of the multiple fans included in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100, fan 1-1, fan 1-2, fan 1-3, fan 1-4A, and fan 1-4B are shown in Fig. 1. Hereinafter, the fan that is the fan 1 may be referred to as fan 1.

[0015] Fan 1-1, fan 1-2, fan 1-3, fan 1-4A, and fan 1-4B of fan group 1a are fan devices 1 that belong to groups obtained by dividing fan group 1a into multiple groups, each group consisting of one or more fan devices 1. For example, fan 1-1 belongs to the first group. Fan 1-2 belongs to the second group. Fan 1-3 belongs to the third group. Fan 1-4A and fan 1-4B belong to the fourth group. From the perspective of fan 1-1, fan 1-2, fan 1-3, fan 1-4A, and fan 1-4B can be said to be fan devices 1 of other groups. When viewed from the fans 1-4A and 1-4B, the fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 can be said to be fans 1 of another group.

[0016] When the air blower group 1 a is divided into a plurality of groups each including one or more air blowers 1 , one switch 2 is assigned to each group.

[0017] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the air blower 1 included in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 according to the first embodiment. The air blower 1 includes an air blower unit 11, which is a functional unit that blows air, and a filter 12 that purifies the air blown by the air blower unit 11. The air blower unit 11 includes an impeller 11a and an electric motor 11b that rotates the impeller 11a. The electric motor 11b is driven when power is supplied from a power supply device 6 via an electric wire 5, and is stopped when the supply of power from the power supply device 6 is stopped. The supply of power from the power supply device 6 to the electric motor 11b is controlled by the control device 4 and the switch 2.

[0018] Switch 2 controls activation and deactivation of air blower 1. That is, switch 2 switches the energization state from power supply device 6 to motor 11b of air blower 1, thereby switching the state of power supply from power supply device 6 to air blower 1. Specifically, switch 2 is a power switch that switches between a power supply state and a power supply stop state, thereby switching between activation and deactivation of air blower 1.

[0019] The power supply state is a state in which the power supply device 6 and the air blower 1 are electrically connected and driving power is supplied from the power supply device 6 to the air blower 1, and a state in which current flows from the power supply device 6 to the air blower 1 and power is supplied from the power supply device 6 to the air blower 1.

[0020] The power supply stop state is a state in which the electrical connection between the power supply device 6 and the air blower 1 is cut off and no driving power is supplied from the power supply device 6 to the air blower 1, and no current flows from the power supply device 6 to the air blower 1, so the supply of power from the power supply device 6 to the air blower 1 is cut off and the supply of power from the power supply device 6 to the air blower 1 is stopped.

[0021] 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the switch 2 included in the electrical characteristic measuring system 100 according to the first embodiment. The switch 2 includes a switch circuit 21, a switch communication unit 22, and a switch control unit 23.

[0022] Switch circuit 21 switches the state of power supply from power supply device 6 to air blower 1 under the control of switch control unit 23. That is, when switch circuit 21 is turned on, power supply device 6 and air blower 1 are electrically connected, current flows from power supply device 6 to air blower 1, driving power is supplied to air blower 1, and air blower 1 is driven. When switch circuit 21 is turned off, the electrical connection between power supply device 6 and air blower 1 is interrupted, current stops flowing from power supply device 6 to air blower 1, driving power is no longer supplied to air blower 1, and air blower 1 stops.

[0023] The switch communication unit 22 communicates with devices external to the switch 2. The switch communication unit 22 communicates with the control device 4.

[0024] The switch control unit 23 controls the on and off of the switch circuit 21 in accordance with the control of the control device 4 , and switches the state of power supply from the power supply device 6 to the air blower 1 .

[0025] The switch 2 is disposed between the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 and the air blower 1 in the electric wire 5 that connects the power supply device 6 and the air blower 1 .

[0026] One or more air blowers 1 are assigned to each switch 2. That is, one or more air blowers 1 are electrically connected to one switch 2. Each switch 2 starts and stops the air blowers 1 assigned to that switch 2 in accordance with instructions from the control device 4. A switch 2 assigned to one air blower 1 starts and stops the one air blower 1 assigned to it in accordance with instructions from the control device 4. A switch 2 assigned to multiple air blowers 1 starts and stops the multiple air blowers 1 assigned to it in accordance with instructions from the control device 4.

[0027] 1, switches 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, and 2-4 are shown as some of the switches 2 included in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100. The number of switches 2 provided in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 may be two or more, as long as they are capable of controlling the multiple air blowers 1 provided in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100.

[0028] Switch 2-1 is disposed on electric wire 5 between blower 1-1 and electrical characteristic measuring device 3, and switches the state of power supply from power supply device 6 to blower 1-1. Switch 2-2 is disposed on electric wire 5 between blower 1-2 and electrical characteristic measuring device 3, and switches the state of power supply from power supply device 6 to blower 1-2. Switch 2-3 is disposed on electric wire 5 between blower 1-3 and electrical characteristic measuring device 3, and switches the state of power supply from power supply device 6 to blower 1-3. Switch 2-4 is disposed on electric wire 5 between blowers 1-4A and 1-4B and electrical characteristic measuring device 3, and switches the state of power supply from power supply device 6 to blowers 1-4A and 1-4B.

[0029] The electrical characteristic measuring device 3 measures the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1. The electrical characteristic measuring device 3 is disposed on the electric wire 5 between the power supply device 6 and the switch 2. The electrical characteristic measuring device 3 measures the total value of the electrical characteristics of all the connected air blowers 1. In other words, the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 measures the total value of the electrical characteristics of all the air blowers 1 that are provided in the electrical characteristic measuring system 100 and to which power is supplied from the power supply device 6.

[0030] The electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 are electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 such as the power or current supplied from the power supply device 6 to the air blower 1 .

[0031] Furthermore, the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 acquires time data of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in addition to the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1. That is, the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 acquires waveform data of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 with respect to time.

[0032] The electrical characteristic measuring device 3 also acquires activation / deactivation data of the switch 2 together with time data.

[0033] The start / stop data of the switch 2 is start-up operation data when the switch 2 performs an operation to start the air blower 1 assigned to the switch 2, and stop operation data when the switch 2 performs an operation to stop the air blower 1 assigned to the switch 2, and time information at the time of operation is associated with the start / stop data. In other words, the start / stop data of the switch 2 is operation data when the switch 2 performs an operation to start or stop the air blower 1 assigned to the switch 2. The start / stop data of the switch 2 can also be considered as start / stop data of the air blower 1. The start / stop data of the switch 2 can also be considered as information on the operating status of the air blower 1. The start / stop data of the switch 2 can also be considered as information in which operation information when the switch 2 is turned on and operation information when the switch 2 is turned off are associated with time data at the time of operation. Therefore, the start information of the air blower 1 and the stop information of the air blower 1 can be said to be operation information when the switch 2 is turned on and operation information when the switch 2 is turned off.

[0034] That is, the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 obtains information on the operating status of the air blower 1, such as the timing at which the air blower 1 was started or stopped, and grasps the operating status of the air blower 1.

[0035] 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 included in the electrical characteristic measuring system 100 according to the first embodiment. The electrical characteristic measuring device 3 includes a measuring unit 31, a measuring device communication unit 32, a measuring device storage unit 33, and a measuring device control unit 34.

[0036] The measurement unit 31 measures the total value of the electrical characteristics of all operating air blowers 1. The measurement unit 31 includes, for example, a power meter, and measures the power supplied from the power supply device 6 to measure the total value of the power supplied to all operating air blowers 1. The measurement unit 31 also includes, for example, an ammeter, and measures the current supplied from the power supply device 6 to measure the total value of the current supplied to all operating air blowers 1.

[0037] The measuring device communication unit 32 communicates with devices external to the electrical characteristic measuring device 3. The measuring device communication unit 32 communicates with the control device 4.

[0038] The measurement device storage unit 33 stores various types of information used to control the electrical characteristic measurement device 3. The various types of information include programs for controlling the electrical characteristic measurement device 3. The various types of information also include information on the electrical characteristics measured by the measurement unit 31.

[0039] The measurement device control unit 34 controls the entire electrical characteristic measuring device 3. The measurement device control unit 34 receives information on the electrical characteristics measured by the measurement unit 31 and controls the measurement device storage unit 33 to store the information on the electrical characteristics. The measurement device control unit 34 also controls the transmission of the information on the electrical characteristics measured by the measurement unit 31 to the control device 4.

[0040] The control device 4 issues control instructions to each switch 2 to start and stop the air blower 1. The control device 4 determines whether the air blower 1 is in a startup state or a steady state based on measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 acquired from the measurement unit 31 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3. The control device 4 sends control instruction information to the switch 2, which is information for causing the switch 2 to control the air blower 1, based on the determination result of whether the air blower 1 is in a startup state or a steady state. When the control device 4 sends start instruction information to one switch 2, which is information for causing the switch 2 to start the air blower 1, the control device 4 determines that the air blower 1 started by that switch 2 has transitioned to a steady state, and then sends the start instruction information to the next switch 2. In this way, when starting multiple air blowers 1, the control device 4 can perform control that avoids multiple air blowers 1 being in a startup state.

[0041] The steady state of the air blower 1 is a state in which the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 fluctuate little over time, are substantially constant, and do not change much over time. In other words, the steady state of the air blower 1 can be said to be a state in which the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 are within a certain range specific to the air blower 1.

[0042] 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control device 4 included in the electrical characteristic measuring system 100 according to the first embodiment. The control device 4 includes a control device communication unit 41, a control device storage unit 42, and a control device control unit 43.

[0043] The control device communication unit 41 communicates with devices external to the control device 4. The control device communication unit 41 communicates with the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic measuring device 3.

[0044] The control device storage unit 42 stores various types of information used to control the control device 4 and the switch 2. The various types of information include a program for controlling the control device 4 and a program for controlling the switch 2. The various types of information also include information on electrical characteristics acquired from the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 and control instruction information sent to the switch 2.

[0045] The control device control unit 43 controls the overall operation of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100. The control device control unit 43 controls the electrical characteristic measurement device 3 to cause the electrical characteristic measurement device 3 to measure the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1. The control device control unit 43 controls the switch 2 to cause the switch 2 to start and stop the air blower 1.

[0046] The control device control unit 43 controls the start and stop of the air blower 1 by issuing control instructions to each switch 2 to start and stop the air blower 1. The control device control unit 43 determines whether the air blower 1 is in a start-up state or a steady state based on the measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 acquired from the measurement unit 31 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3.

[0047] The control device control unit 43 acquires measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 measured by the measurement unit 31 from the electrical characteristic measuring device 3. The control device control unit 43 determines whether the air blower 1 is in a startup state or a steady state based on the acquired measurement data. The control device control unit 43 transmits control instruction information to each switch 2, which is information for causing the switch 2 to control the air blower 1, based on the determination result of whether the air blower 1 is in a startup state or a steady state.

[0048] The control device control unit 43 transmits activation instruction information to one switch 2, which is information for activating the air blower 1 assigned to the switch 2. The control device control unit 43 then acquires measurement data measured by the measurement unit 31 from the electrical characteristic measuring device 3. Then, the control device control unit 43 determines, based on the acquired measurement data, that the air blower 1 activated by that switch 2 has transitioned to a steady state, and then transmits the activation instruction information to the next switch 2. In this way, when activating multiple air blowers 1, the control device control unit 43 controls the activation of the multiple air blowers 1 so as to avoid multiple air blowers 1 being in a startup state.

[0049] Therefore, the control device control unit 43 of the control device 4 issues a first startup instruction to the first switch 2 assigned to the first group to start the air blowing equipment 1 of a first group among the multiple groups, and after the electrical characteristics of the air blowing equipment 1 of the first group have transitioned to a steady state, issues a second startup instruction to the second switch 2 assigned to the second group to start the air blowing equipment 1 of a second group among the multiple groups.

[0050] In addition, when there are multiple air blowers 1 assigned to one group for which a startup instruction is to be given, the control device control unit 43 issues a startup instruction to the switch 2 assigned to the group to start up the first air blower 1 among the air blowers 1 assigned to the group, and after the electrical characteristics of the first air blower 1 have transitioned to a steady state, issues a startup instruction to the switch 2 to start up the second air blower 1 in the group.

[0051] The control device control unit 43 determines whether the most recently started air blower 1 is in the start-up state or whether the air blower 1 is in a steady state based on the measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 obtained from the measurement unit 31.

[0052] For example, when the value of the electrical characteristic of the measurement data becomes constant over a predetermined length of steady state determination time, the control device control unit 43 determines that the most recently started air blower 1 has reached a steady state. For example, when the value of the electrical characteristic of the measurement data does not become constant over a predetermined length of steady state determination time, the control device control unit 43 determines that the most recently started air blower 1 is in a startup state.

[0053] The steady state determination time is a reference period for the control device controller 43 to determine whether the most recently started air blower 1 is in the state at the time of start-up or whether the air blower 1 is in the steady state.

[0054] The control device control unit 43 determines that the most recently started air blower 1 is in a start-up state when the fluctuation range of the value of the electrical characteristic of the measurement data at the steady state determination time is not within a predetermined range. The control device control unit 43 determines that the most recently started air blower 1 is in a steady state when the fluctuation range of the value of the electrical characteristic of the measurement data at the steady state determination time is within a predetermined range.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing waveforms of the electrical characteristics of blower 1 of electrical characteristic measurement system 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents time. In FIG. 6, the vertical axis represents electrical characteristics. For ease of understanding, FIG. 6 describes three blowers 1, namely, blower 1-1, blower 1-2, and blower 1-3, shown in FIG. 1. That is, blower 1-1 is assigned to switch 2-1. Furthermore, blower 1-2 is assigned to switch 2-2. Furthermore, blower 1-3 is assigned to switch 2-3. Here, as an example, blower 1-1, blower 1-2, and blower 1-3 have the same specifications and the same blowing capacity.

[0056] 6 shows waveforms of the individual electrical characteristics of three fans 1, namely, fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3. Note that in FIG. 6, the waveforms of the individual electrical characteristics of the three fans 1, namely, the waveform W1 of the electrical characteristic of fan 1-1, the waveform W2 of the electrical characteristic of fan 1-2, and the waveform W3 of the electrical characteristic of fan 1-3, are not waveforms directly measured by the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 of the electrical characteristic measuring system 100, but are shown individually for the purpose of explanation.

[0057] The three fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 are started at different times. Fan 1-1 starts operating when switch 2-1 is turned on at time T1. Fan 1-2 starts operating when switch 2-2 is turned on at time T2. Fan 1-3 starts operating when switch 2-3 is turned on at time T3.

[0058] The peak value of the electrical characteristics of fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 at startup is P1. The steady-state value of the electrical characteristics of fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 at steady state is P2. Furthermore, the period from time T1 to time T2 when the steady state is reached for fan 1-1 is the startup state for fan 1-1. The period from time T2 to time T3 when the steady state is reached for fan 1-2 is the startup state for fan 1-2.

[0059] Generally, when the fan 1 starts up, the load increases while the rotation speed of the impeller 11a of the fan 1 is accelerating, so the electrical characteristics at startup are larger than those at steady state. The electrical characteristics of the fan 1 at startup reach a peak value P1 and then gradually decrease. When the fan 1 reaches a steady state, the steady state value of the electrical characteristics of the fan 1 becomes P2 and remains constant. Therefore, the waveforms of the individual electrical characteristics of the three fans 1 at startup, i.e., waveform W1 of the electrical characteristics of fan 1-1, waveform W2 of the electrical characteristics of fan 1-2, and waveform W3 of the electrical characteristics of fan 1-3, are as shown in FIG. 6 .

[0060] FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing a waveform obtained by combining the three waveforms shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis represents time. In FIG. 7, the vertical axis represents electrical characteristics. Waveform W4 of the electrical characteristics shown in FIG. 7 is a waveform of the sum of the electrical characteristics of the three fans 1, 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3, when the three fans 1, 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3, in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 are started under the start-up conditions with the timing shown in FIG. 6. Waveform W4 is a waveform of the sum of the electrical characteristics of the three fans 1, 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3, waveform W1 of fan 1-1, waveform W2 of fan 1-2, and waveform W3 of fan 1-3.

[0061] 7 is a waveform of the electrical characteristic measured by the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 when the switch 2 activates the three fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 in accordance with the control of the control device 4 in the electrical characteristic measuring system 100. That is, in the electrical characteristic measuring system 100, when the switch 2 activates the three fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 in accordance with the control of the control device 4 under the activation conditions with the timing shown in FIG. 6, the electrical characteristic waveform W4 shown in FIG.

[0062] When the switch 2 activates three fans 1, fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3, at different times under the control of the control device 4, the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 acquires the electrical characteristics of the fans 1 as well as time data of the electrical characteristics. That is, the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 acquires the electrical characteristics of the fans 1 together with information on the time when the electrical characteristics of the fans 1 were measured, and acquires waveform data of the electrical characteristics of the fans 1 over time, as shown in FIG.

[0063] In the waveform shown in FIG. 7 , the steady-state value of the electrical characteristic of blower 1-1 in the steady state is P2, as in FIG. 6 . The steady-state value of the electrical characteristic of blower 1-2 in the steady state is P2, as in FIG. 6 , the same as the steady-state value of the electrical characteristic of blower 1-1 in the steady state. Therefore, in the waveform W4 shown in FIG. 7 , the electrical characteristic value at time T3 when blower 1-2 reaches the steady state is P2×2, which is twice P2. Furthermore, the steady-state value of the electrical characteristic of blower 1-3 in the steady state is P2, as in FIG. 6 , the same as the steady-state value of the electrical characteristic of blower 1-1 in the steady state. Therefore, in the waveform W4 shown in FIG. 7 , the electrical characteristic at time T4 when blower 1-3 reaches the steady state is P2, which is three times P2×3.

[0064] In waveform W4 shown in Fig. 7, the value of P1 is the same as the value of P2 x 3, but the relationship between the value of P1 and the value of P2 x 3 varies depending on the specifications and blowing capacity of the blower 1 used. That is, although Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a case where blowers 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 have the same specifications and blowing capacity, in actual use of electrical characteristic measurement system 100, the specifications and blowing capacity of each blower 1 used often differ. In this case, the electrical characteristic values ​​of blowers 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 in the steady state will be different from one another.

[0065] For example, assume that blowers 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 each have different specifications and blowing capacities, and the steady-state value of the electrical characteristics of blower 1-1 when in a steady state is P2. In this case, the steady-state value of the electrical characteristics of blower 1-2 when in a steady state will be a value different from P2, which is the steady-state value of the electrical characteristics of blower 1-1 when in a steady state. Therefore, in the waveform of the sum of the electrical characteristics of three blowers 1-1, i.e., the waveform of blower 1-1, the waveform of blower 1-2, and the waveform of blower 1-3, as shown in FIG. 7, the electrical characteristic value at the time when blower 1-2 reaches a steady state will be a value different from P2 x 2, which is twice the value of P2. Furthermore, the steady-state value of the electrical characteristics of blower 1-3 when in a steady state will be a value different from P2, which is the steady-state value of the electrical characteristics of blower 1-1 when in a steady state. Therefore, in the waveform of the sum of the electrical characteristics of three blowers 1, namely the waveform of blower 1-1, the waveform of blower 1-2, and the waveform of blower 1-3, as shown in Figure 7, the electrical characteristic value at the time when blower 1-3 reaches a steady state will be a value different from P2 x 3, which is three times the value of P2.

[0066] By controlling the startup of the multiple air blowers 1 as described above, the control device 4 prevents the startup currents of the multiple air blowers 1 from overlapping at the same time due to the multiple air blowers 1 being started at the same time, and prevents the breaker connected to the power supply device 6 from tripping. The control device 4 controls the startup timing of the multiple air blowers 1 connected to the power supply device 6 so that the startup currents of the multiple started air blowers 1 do not flow from the power supply device 6 at the same time. In other words, the control device 4 controls the startup of the multiple air blowers 1 by differentiating the startup timing of the multiple air blowers 1 so that a large current exceeding the breaker's tolerance range does not flow to the breaker due to the multiple air blowers 1 being started at the same time, i.e., so that the current does not exceed the power capacity of the power supply device 6.

[0067] The starting current is a current that flows from the power supply device 6 to the air blower 1 after the air blower 1 is started until the air blower 1 reaches a steady state.

[0068] In addition, in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100, by controlling the startup of multiple air blowers 1 as described above and staggering the startup timing of multiple air blowers 1, the steady-state electrical characteristics of multiple air blowers 1 can be observed using a single electrical characteristic measurement device 3.

[0069] When calculating the individual electrical characteristics for each air blower 1, the measuring device control unit 34 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 compares waveform data of the electrical characteristics immediately before the air blower 1 is started with waveform data of the electrical characteristics after the air blower 1 is started. When comparing the waveform data of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1, calculation accuracy is improved if the waveform data before and after the air blower 1 is started are both in a steady state.

[0070] The measurement device control unit 34 measures the overall electrical characteristics of all activated air blowers 1 and calculates the difference from the immediately preceding waveform, thereby calculating the electrical characteristics of each individual air blower 1 for each group to which one air blower 1 is assigned, or the electrical characteristics of each individual air blower 1 for each group to which multiple air blowers 1 are assigned. That is, the measurement unit 31 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 measures the overall electrical characteristics of all activated air blowers 1. When calculating the electrical characteristics of a target air blower 1 for which the electrical characteristics of an individual activated air blower 1 are to be calculated from the overall electrical characteristics of all activated air blowers 1, the measurement device control unit 34 subtracts the sum of the steady-state values ​​of the air blowers 1 activated before the target air blower 1 was activated from the measurement data of the overall electrical characteristics after the target air blower 1 was activated.

[0071] That is, the measuring device control unit 34 subtracts the total of the steady-state values ​​of all the air blowers 1 that were activated before the target air blower 1 was activated from the waveform of the measurement data of the overall electrical characteristics after the target air blower 1 is activated. This allows the measuring device control unit 34 to calculate the waveform of the measurement data of the electrical characteristics of the target air blower 1 from the waveform of the measurement data of the overall electrical characteristics of all the activated air blowers 1. Then, from the waveform of the measurement data of the electrical characteristics of the target air blower 1, it is possible to determine the steady state of the target air blower 1 and identify the steady-state value P2 in the steady state of the target air blower 1.

[0072] The measuring device control unit 34 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 acquires information on the operating status of each air blower 1. The information on the operating status of each air blower 1 includes start / stop data indicating operation information for starting the air blower 1 and operation information for stopping the air blower 1, which is information on the operating status of the air blower 1, associated with time data. In other words, the measuring device control unit 34 acquires the start / stop data of the switch 2 described above, which is information on the operating status of the air blower 1, from each switch 2.

[0073] In this way, by using the start / stop data of the switch 2, which is information on the operating status of the air blowers 1, the measuring device control unit 34 can determine the order in which the air blowers 1 were started for multiple started air blowers 1. This allows the measuring device control unit 34 to identify the air blower 1 that was started first, and to determine the start and stop times of that air blower 1. Then, from the waveform of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 that was started first, the measuring device control unit 34 can determine that that air blower 1 is in a steady state as described above, and can identify the steady state value P2 in the steady state of the air blower 1 that was started first.

[0074] Furthermore, for each of the plurality of individual air blowers 1 that are started up after the second one, the measuring device control unit 34 can calculate the waveform of the measurement data of the electrical characteristics of the target air blowers 1 as described above in accordance with the order in which they were started up, and can identify the steady-state value P2 in the steady state in the order in which they were started up. Therefore, the measuring device control unit 34 can calculate the waveform of the measurement data of the electrical characteristics of each air blower 1 in the order in which they were started up from the waveform of the measurement data of the overall electrical characteristics of all the air blowers 1 that have been started up, and can calculate the steady-state value P2 in the steady state.

[0075] Next, the operation of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 will be described. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 according to the first embodiment. Below, the operation of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 will be described using as an example a case where blower 1 of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 is stopped and then blower 1-1, blower 1-2, blower 1-3, blower 1-4A, and blower 1-4B are started.

[0076] In step S110, the fan 1-1 is started. That is, the switch 2-1 starts the fan 1-1. Specifically, the control device control unit 43 of the control device 4 sends a start-up instruction to the switch 2-1 to start the fan 1-1. The switch 2-1 switches the switch circuit 21 on in accordance with the start-up instruction, and switches the state of power supply from the power supply device 6 to the fan 1-1 to a power supply state. As a result, current flows from the power supply device 6 to the fan 1-1, and the fan 1-1 is started. Then, the process proceeds to step S120.

[0077] In step S120, the electrical characteristics of the fan 1 are measured. Specifically, the measurement unit 31 of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3 measures the total value of the electrical characteristics of all the activated fans 1, thereby measuring the overall electrical characteristics of all the activated fans 1. That is, the measurement unit 31 measures the total value of the electrical characteristics of all the fans 1 currently receiving power from the power supply device 6. At this point, the only activated fan 1 is fan 1-1, so the electrical characteristics of the fan 1 measured by the measurement unit 31 are the electrical characteristics of fan 1-1. The electrical characteristics of the fan 1 measured by the measurement unit 31 are transmitted to the measurement device control unit 34 of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3, stored in the measurement device storage unit 33, and also transmitted to the control device control unit 43 of the control device 4. Then, the process proceeds to step S130.

[0078] In step S130, it is determined whether or not the fan 1-1 has reached a steady state. Specifically, the control device control unit 43 of the control device 4 determines whether or not the fan 1-1 has reached a steady state.

[0079] If it is determined that the fan 1-1 has reached the steady state, the answer is Yes in step S130, and the process proceeds to step S140. If it is determined that the fan 1-1 has not reached the steady state, the answer is No in step S130, and the process returns to step S120.

[0080] In step S140, the fan 1-2 is started. That is, the switch 2-2 starts the fan 1-2. Specifically, the control device control unit 43 sends a start instruction to the switch 2-2 to start the fan 1-2. The switch 2-2 switches the switch circuit 21 on in accordance with the start instruction, and switches the state of power supply from the power supply device 6 to the fan 1-2 to a power supply state. As a result, current flows from the power supply device 6 to the fan 1-2, and the fan 1-2 is started. Then, the process proceeds to step S150.

[0081] In step S150, the electrical characteristics of the fan 1 are measured. Specifically, the measurement unit 31 of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3 measures the total value of the electrical characteristics of all the activated fans 1, thereby measuring the overall electrical characteristics of all the activated fans 1. That is, the measurement unit 31 measures the total value of the electrical characteristics of all the fans 1 currently receiving power from the power supply device 6. At this point, the activated fans 1 are fans 1-1 and 1-2, so the electrical characteristics of the fan 1 measured by the measurement unit 31 are the total value of the electrical characteristics of fans 1-1 and 1-2. The electrical characteristics of the fan 1 measured by the measurement unit 31 are transmitted to the measurement device control unit 34 of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3, stored in the measurement device storage unit 33, and also transmitted to the control device control unit 43 of the control device 4. Then, the process proceeds to step S160.

[0082] In step S160, it is determined whether or not the fan 1-2 has reached a steady state. Specifically, the control device control unit 43 of the control device 4 determines whether or not the fan 1-2 has reached a steady state.

[0083] If it is determined that the fan 1-2 has reached the steady state, the answer is Yes in step S160, and the process proceeds to step S170. If it is determined that the fan 1-2 has not reached the steady state, the answer is No in step S160, and the process returns to step S150.

[0084] In step S170, the fan 1-3 is started. That is, the switch 2-3 starts the fan 1-3. Specifically, the control device control unit 43 sends a start instruction to the switch 2-3 to start the fan 1-3. The switch 2-3 switches the switch circuit 21 on in accordance with the start instruction, and switches the state of power supply from the power supply device 6 to the fan 1-3 to a power supply state. As a result, current flows from the power supply device 6 to the fan 1-3, and the fan 1-3 is started. Then, the process proceeds to step S180.

[0085] In step S180, the electrical characteristics of the blower 1 are measured. Specifically, the measurement unit 31 of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3 measures the total value of the electrical characteristics of all the blowers 1 that are activated, thereby measuring the overall electrical characteristics of all the activated blowers 1. That is, the measurement unit 31 measures the total value of the electrical characteristics of all the blowers 1 that are currently receiving power from the power supply device 6. At this point, the activated blowers 1 are blowers 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3, so the electrical characteristics of the blowers 1 measured by the measurement unit 31 are the total value of the electrical characteristics of blowers 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3. The electrical characteristics of the blowers 1 measured by the measurement unit 31 are transmitted to the measurement device control unit 34 of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3, stored in the measurement device storage unit 33, and also transmitted to the control device control unit 43 of the control device 4. Then, the process proceeds to step S190.

[0086] In step S190, it is determined whether or not the fan 1-3 has reached a steady state. Specifically, the control device control unit 43 of the control device 4 determines whether or not the fan 1-3 has reached a steady state.

[0087] If it is determined that the fan 1-3 has reached the steady state, the answer is Yes in step S190, and the process proceeds to step S200. If it is determined that the fan 1-3 has not reached the steady state, the answer is No in step S190, and the process returns to step S180.

[0088] In step S200, the fans 1-4A and 1-4B are started. That is, the switch 2-4 starts the fans 1-4A and 1-4B. Specifically, the control device control unit 43 sends a start-up instruction to the switch 2-4 to start the fans 1-4A and 1-4B. The switch 2-4 switches the switch circuit 21 on in accordance with the start-up instruction, and switches the state of power supply from the power supply device 6 to the fans 1-4A and 1-4B to a power supply state. As a result, current flows from the power supply device 6 to the fans 1-4A and 1-4B, and the fans 1-4A and 1-4B are started. As a result, each of the fans 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4A and 1-4B is started at a different timing when the fan 1 that was started immediately before reaches a steady state.

[0089] By performing the above-described processing, a series of processing steps performed by the electrical characteristic measuring system 100 according to the first embodiment is completed.

[0090] In the above-described electrical characteristic measurement system 100, the switch control unit 23 of the switch 2 may have a speed adjustment function that controls the output of the air blower 1 to adjust the rotation speed of the air blower 1. The output of the air blower 1 is the power supplied to the air blower 1. The rotation speed of the air blower 1 is the rotation speed of the impeller 11a provided in the air blower 1.

[0091] The speed adjustment function of the switch control unit 23 calculates the steady-state electrical characteristic values ​​of the air blower 1 for each group assigned to the switch 2 based on the speed adjustment data of the switch 2 and the measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1.

[0092] The speed adjustment data of switch 2 is data on the output of air blower 1 when the output of air blower 1 is adjusted by switch control unit 23. The speed adjustment data of switch 2 can also be data on the rotation speed of air blower 1 when the rotation speed of air blower 1 is adjusted by switch control unit 23.

[0093] The switch control unit 23 stores correlation information indicating the correlation between the speed adjustment data of each switch 2, the measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the air blowers 1, and the values ​​of the electrical characteristics in a steady state of the air blowers 1 for each group assigned to each switch 2. The switch control unit 23 calculates the values ​​of the electrical characteristics in a steady state of the air blowers 1 for each group assigned to each switch 2 using the speed adjustment data of each switch 2, the measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the air blowers 1, and the correlation information.

[0094] As described above, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 of embodiment 1 includes a group of air blowers consisting of a plurality of air blowers supplied with power from a single power supply device, the group of air blowers being divided into a plurality of groups each consisting of one or more air blowers, and a plurality of switches assigned to each of the plurality of groups for starting and stopping the air blowers assigned to the group, and an electrical characteristic measurement device for measuring the total value of the electrical characteristics of the group of air blowers, and realizes an electrical characteristic measurement system for air blowers that calculates the steady-state electrical characteristic values ​​of the air blowers for each group based on switch start / stop data, which is operation data when the switch starts or stops the air blowers assigned to the switch, and measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics.

[0095] In the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 according to the first embodiment described above, in an environment where a large number of air blowers 1, such as ventilation fans or electric fans, are installed, such as a factory or warehouse, the electrical characteristic measurement device 3 can calculate and understand the steady-state electrical characteristics of each air blower 1 in each group based on measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the air blowers 1, such as the power or current of the air blower group 1a, and start / stop data of the air blowers 1. As a result, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 can easily and reliably acquire and understand the electrical characteristics of each air blower 1, including the steady-state electrical characteristics, without having to install a measuring instrument for measuring the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 individually for each air blower 1. Therefore, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 can easily and reliably acquire and understand the electrical characteristics of each air blower 1 at low cost.

[0096] Furthermore, in an environment where a large number of air blowers 1, such as ventilation fans or electric fans, are installed, a relatively large number of the air blowers 1 are connected to the same power source, and the start and stop of each air blower 1 is performed individually. Furthermore, the air blowers 1 have small load fluctuations after reaching rated operation after start-up, and fluctuations in their electrical characteristics are small. In order to manage the status of such air blowers 1 and appropriately detect abnormalities in the air blowers 1 early, it is important to individually acquire and understand the electrical characteristics of each air blower 1.

[0097] The electrical characteristic measurement system 100 can individually calculate and manage the electrical characteristics of multiple air blowers 1 connected to the same power supply unit 6, and is therefore useful for maintaining and servicing the air blowers 1 in the above-mentioned environment.

[0098] Furthermore, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 is useful for maintaining and servicing the air blowing equipment 1 in the above-mentioned environment, because it can easily and reliably acquire and understand the steady-state values ​​of the electrical characteristics of each air blowing equipment 1 when it is in a steady state, without the need to install a measuring instrument to measure the electrical characteristics of the air blowing equipment 1 individually for each air blowing equipment 1.

[0099] Furthermore, in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100, the control device 4 starts the next stopped air blower 1 after the air blower 1 that was started immediately before reaches a steady state, based on measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the air blower group 1a and start / stop data for the air blowers 1. As a result, in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100, the startup currents of the multiple air blowers 1 do not overlap at the same time due to the multiple air blowers 1 connected to the power supply device 6 starting up at the same time, and a large current exceeding the allowable range of the breaker connected to the power supply device 6 is prevented from flowing through the breaker, preventing the breaker from tripping.

[0100] In addition, by staggering the start-up timing of multiple blower devices 1, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 makes it easier to observe the steady-state electrical characteristics of the started blower devices 1, thereby improving the accuracy of understanding the electrical characteristics of each blower device 1.

[0101] Therefore, according to the electrical characteristic measuring system 100 of embodiment 1, in an environment in which power is supplied to multiple air blowing devices 1 from the same power source, that is, the power supply unit 6, it is possible to individually obtain the steady-state electrical characteristics of the air blowing devices 1 without having to install a measuring instrument for measuring the electrical characteristics of the air blowing devices 1 individually for each air blowing device 1.

[0102] Second Embodiment. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electrical characteristic measuring device 3a included in an electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the second embodiment. The electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the second embodiment differs from the electrical characteristic measuring system 100 according to the first embodiment in that the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the second embodiment includes an electrical characteristic measuring device 3a instead of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3. The electrical characteristic measuring device 3a according to the second embodiment differs from the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 according to the first embodiment in that it further includes an alert unit 35 in addition to the configuration of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3. That is, the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a includes a measuring unit 31, a measuring device communication unit 32, a measuring device storage unit 33, a measuring device control unit 34, and an alert unit 35. Note that the same components of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a according to the second embodiment as those of the electrical characteristic measuring system 100 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the electrical characteristic measuring system 100 according to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0103] In addition to the functions described in the first embodiment, the measurement device control unit 34 compares the transitions of the individual steady-state electrical characteristics of the multiple air blowers 1 for each operating time of the air blowers 1 .

[0104] The alert unit 35 compares the transitions of the electrical characteristics in the steady state of the plurality of air blowers 1 for each operating time of the air blowers 1 in the measuring device control unit 34, and if the amount of change in the electrical characteristics in the steady state of one air blower 1 during a given period deviates by a predetermined value or more from the amount of change in the electrical characteristics in the steady state of another air blower 1 during the given period, the alert unit 35 issues an alert for the air blower 1. The alert can be issued using various notification methods, such as displaying the alert on a display device (not shown) connected to the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a, or notifying the alert by voice.

[0105] For example, if the air blower 1 is a ventilation fan, it is expected that dust will accumulate on the filter 12 as the air blower 1 operates. When dust accumulates on the filter 12, the load on the air blower 1 increases compared to when no dust accumulates on the filter 12, and the value of the electrical characteristic of the air blower 1 in a steady state also fluctuates compared to when no dust accumulates on the filter 12. Furthermore, when excessive dust accumulates on only some of the multiple air blowers 1 included in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a, the fluctuation in the electrical characteristic of the air blower 1 in a steady state will be greater than the fluctuation in the electrical characteristic of the other air blowers 1 in a steady state.

[0106] As will be described later, the measurement device control unit 34 compares the transitions of the electrical characteristics in the steady state for each air blower 1 and detects that the fluctuations in the electrical characteristics in the steady state of the air blower 1 with excessive dust accumulation on the filter 12 are larger than the fluctuations in the electrical characteristics in the steady state of the other air blowers 1, thereby being able to detect an abnormality in the air blower 1 with excessive dust accumulation on the filter 12. Furthermore, by similar processing, the measurement device control unit 34 can detect, in addition to abnormalities in the air blower 1 due to dust accumulation, abnormalities in the air blower 1 caused by deterioration of the insulation resistance due to heat in the bearings or windings of the electric motor 11b of the air blower 1, foreign matter getting caught in the impeller 11a of the air blower 1, etc.

[0107] Next, the operation of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a according to the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a according to the second embodiment. Below, the operation of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a will be described using an example in which the fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 provided in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a are ventilation fans.

[0108] The electrical characteristic measurement system 100a starts the fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 as needed, and then stops them according to the flowchart of FIG. 8 shown in the first embodiment. The electrical characteristic measurement system 100a then repeatedly starts and stops the fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 as needed. Here, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a does not need to start all three fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3, but starts and stops only the necessary fans 1.

[0109] In step S210, transition data of the electrical characteristics in the steady state of the blower 1 is created, which indicates the transition of the electrical characteristics in the steady state for each blower 1. Specifically, the measuring device control unit 34 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a creates the transition data of the electrical characteristics in the steady state of the blower 1.

[0110] As described in the first embodiment, the measurement device storage unit 33 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a stores measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the blower 1 included in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a and start / stop data for the blower 1. The measurement device control unit 34 acquires the measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the blower 1 and the start / stop data for the blower 1 from the measurement device storage unit 33. The measurement device control unit 34 calculates the steady-state electrical characteristics of each blower 1 from the acquired measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the blower 1. The measurement device control unit 34 then aggregates the steady-state electrical characteristics of each blower 1 for each blower 1, using the operating time of the blower 1 as the time axis, and creates first transition data of the electrical characteristics that shows the transition of the steady-state electrical characteristics of each blower 1 over the operating time. Then, the process proceeds to step S220.

[0111] In step S220, a comparison is made of the transitions in the electrical characteristics of the plurality of fans 1 in the steady state versus the operating time of the fans 1 for the plurality of fans 1 included in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a. Specifically, the measurement device control unit 34 compares the transitions in the electrical characteristics of the plurality of fans 1 in the steady state versus the operating time. The measurement device control unit 34 compares the first transition data for each fan 1, i.e., the transitions in the electrical characteristics of the plurality of fans 1 in the steady state versus the totaled operating time, with a threshold value S1. The measurement device control unit 34 compares the first transition data for fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 for an arbitrary period with the threshold value S1. Then, the process proceeds to step S230.

[0112] In step S230, it is determined whether the fluctuation rate F of the electrical characteristics of the compared blower 1 in the steady state is greater than the threshold value S1. Specifically, the measuring device control unit 34 determines whether the fluctuation rate F of the electrical characteristics of the compared blower 1 in the steady state is greater than the threshold value S1.

[0113] FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram showing waveforms of transition data of electrical characteristics of blower 1 in a steady state included in electrical characteristic measurement system 100a according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis represents the operating time of each blower 1. In FIG. 11, the vertical axis represents electrical characteristics. In FIG. 11, the waveform W11 of the first transition data of blower 1-1 shows a change in the electrical characteristics during an arbitrary period Tu1 from operating time T11 to operating time T12, which is a change amount E1. In FIG. 11, the waveform W12 of the first transition data of blower 1-2 shows a change in the electrical characteristics during an arbitrary period Tu1 from operating time T11 to operating time T12, which is a change amount E2. In FIG. 11, the waveform W13 of the first transition data of blower 1-3 shows a change in the electrical characteristics during an arbitrary period Tu1 from operating time T11 to operating time T12, which is a change amount E3.

[0114] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a method for creating first transition data in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a according to the second embodiment. Here, a case where the measurement device control unit 34 of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3a creates the first transition data for the fan 1-1 is described. FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of the area surrounded by the dashed line R in FIG. 11. In FIG. 12, the horizontal axis represents the operating time of the fan 1. In FIG. 12, the vertical axis represents the electrical characteristics. FIG. 12 shows the electrical characteristic values ​​of the fan 1-1 in a steady state for the first to third operations of the fan 1-1. The black circles in FIG. 12 represent the electrical characteristic values ​​of the fan 1-1 in a steady state, acquired immediately after the fan 1-1 transitioned to a steady state during each operation of the fan 1-1.

[0115] 12, the blower 1-1 performs a first operation during the period from operation time T111 to operation time T112. That is, the blower 1-1 is started for the first time during operation time T111 and stopped during operation time T112. The blower 1-1 also performs a second operation during the period from operation time T112 to operation time T113. That is, the blower 1-1 is started for the second time during operation time T112 and stopped during operation time T113. The blower 1-1 also performs a third operation during the period from operation time T113 to operation time T114. That is, the blower 1-1 is started for the third time during operation time T113 and stopped during operation time T114.

[0116] The measuring device control unit 34 can determine the start and stop times of the first operation of the fan 1-1 by using the start / stop data of the switch 2, which is information about the operating status of the fan 1-1. The period from operation time T111 to operation time T112 corresponds to the period from the start time to the stop time of the first operation of the fan 1-1. Then, by performing the processing described above, the measuring device control unit 34 can determine the steady-state value in the steady state of the first operation of the fan 1-1.

[0117] Immediately after the fan 1-1 transitions to the steady state, the next fan 1, such as fan 1-2, is started. Therefore, the electrical characteristic values ​​of the fan 1-1 in the steady state during the first operation of the fan 1-1 are measured only immediately after the fan 1-1 transitions to the steady state and are acquired only immediately after the fan 1-1 transitions to the steady state. Therefore, the measuring device control unit 34 considers the electrical characteristic values ​​of the fan 1-1 in the steady state during the period from the start of the first operation of the fan 1-1 to its stop to be the same as the values ​​acquired immediately after the fan 1-1 transitions to the steady state. In other words, the measuring device control unit 34 considers the electrical characteristic values ​​of the fan 1-1 in the steady state during the period from operation time T111 to operation time T112 to be the same as the values ​​acquired immediately after the fan 1-1 transitions to the steady state. Therefore, the electrical characteristic data at the start of the fan 1-1 is not included in the first transition data of the electrical characteristics.

[0118] Similarly, for the second or subsequent operation of blower 1-1, the measurement device control unit 34 considers that the electrical characteristic values ​​of blower 1-1 in the steady state during the period from when blower 1-1 is started to when it is stopped to be the same as the values ​​obtained immediately after blower 1-1 transitions to the steady state.

[0119] The measurement device control unit 34 creates first transition data of the electrical characteristics of the fan 1-1 with respect to the operation time by combining the data of the electrical characteristic values ​​of the fan 1-1 in the steady state as described above for each operation of the fan 1-1 from the first operation onward. Note that the range of operation time for which the first transition data is created can be any period.

[0120] Similarly, for blowers 1 other than blower 1-1, the measurement device control unit 34 considers that the electrical characteristic values ​​of blower 1 in a steady state during the period from start to stop of blower 1 are the same as the values ​​acquired immediately after blower 1 transitions to the steady state. Then, for blowers 1 other than blower 1-1 as well, the measurement device control unit 34 creates first transition data of the electrical characteristics of blower 1 over operating time by linking together data on the electrical characteristic values ​​of blower 1 in a steady state for each operation of blower 1 from the first time onwards.

[0121] The measuring device control unit 34 compares the first transition data of the fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 during an arbitrary period Tu1, for example, from operation time T11 to operation time T12, with the threshold value S1. Here, the variation rate F of the change rate E1 of the fans 1-1 and the change rate E3 of the fans 1-3 relative to the reference value is equal to or less than the threshold value S1. On the other hand, the variation rate F of the change rate E2 of the fans 1-2 relative to the reference value is greater than the threshold value S1. In the waveform W12 of the first transition data of the fans 1-2, the change in the electrical characteristics is large in the area surrounded by the dashed line A.

[0122] The measuring device control unit 34 can calculate the fluctuation rate F relative to a reference value, which is the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of the fan 1-1 during an arbitrary period Tu1, using the following formula (1) or (2). In the following formula (2), E is the electrical characteristic value of the fan 1-1 at the time of the operating time T11, which is the start point of the arbitrary period Tu1. The measuring device control unit 34 can also calculate the fluctuation rate F relative to a reference value, which is the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of the fan 1-2 and the fan 1-3 during an arbitrary period Tu1, using the following formula (1) or (2). When calculating the fluctuation rate F relative to the reference value for the fan 1-2, E1 is replaced with E2 in the following formula (1) or (2). When calculating the fluctuation rate F relative to the reference value for the fan 1-3, E1 is replaced with E3 in the following formula (1) or (2).

[0123] Fluctuation rate F = E1 / (T12-T11) (1)

[0124] Fluctuation rate F = E1 / E ... (2)

[0125] The threshold value S1 is a reference value used by the measuring device control unit 34 to determine whether the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of a certain fan 1 in a steady state during a given period deviates by a predetermined value or more from the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of another fan 1 in the steady state during that given period. The threshold value S1 is set as a ratio to the reference value or an absolute value relative to the reference value. The reference value is, for example, the average or median of the electrical characteristics of all the fans 1 being compared during a given period in a steady state. The reference value is also the average or median of the electrical characteristics of any of the fans 1 in the multiple fans 1 being compared during a given period in a steady state. The threshold value S1 is stored in the measuring device control unit 34.

[0126] For fans 1 whose steady-state fluctuation rate F of the electrical characteristics is determined to be greater than threshold value S1, the answer is Yes in step S230, and the process proceeds to step S240. For fans 1 whose steady-state fluctuation rate F of the electrical characteristics is determined to be equal to or less than threshold value S1, the answer is No in step S230, and the process ends.

[0127] In step S240, an alert is issued for the fan 1 for which it has been determined that the rate of fluctuation F of the electrical characteristic in the steady state is greater than the threshold value S1. Specifically, the alert unit 35 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a issues the alert. The measuring device control unit 34 transmits deviation information to the alert unit 35 for each fan 1 for each group for which it has determined that the rate of fluctuation F of the electrical characteristic in the steady state is greater than the threshold value S1. Upon receiving the deviation information, the alert unit 35 issues an alert for the fan 1 specified in the deviation information.

[0128] The deviation information is information indicating that the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of blower 1 during a given period in a steady state deviates by a predetermined value or more from the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of another blower 1 in a steady state, and includes identification information of blower 1 that identifies the blower 1. In other words, the deviation information includes identification information of blower 1 that identifies the blower 1 that is the target of the alert.

[0129] By performing the above-described processing, a series of alert issuing processes in the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the second embodiment is completed.

[0130] The alert unit 35 that performs the alert issuing process in the second embodiment described above can be considered a first alert unit in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a. That is, the first alert unit issues an alert for a blower 1 in a group in which, during the same operating time period, the rate of fluctuation F of the electrical characteristic in the steady state of the blower 1 exceeds a predetermined condition compared to the blower 1 in the other groups. The same operating time period can also be considered as the same time period.

[0131] Here, in order to clarify the steady-state electrical characteristics of each blower 1 with respect to the operating time, it is preferable to perform the following processing. That is, it is preferable that the control device control unit 43 of the control device 4 has a nighttime measurement mode. When a predetermined nighttime period arrives, the control device control unit 43 controls the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 in the nighttime measurement mode, and controls the electrical characteristic measuring device 3 to measure the electrical characteristics of the blower 1.

[0132] The nighttime measurement mode is a measurement mode in which the electrical characteristics of the blower 1 are measured at night when the use of the blower 1 is not required due to the working environment in the place where the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a is used, such as a factory or warehouse.

[0133] In the nighttime measurement mode, the control device control unit 43 controls the activation of the plurality of air blowers 1 by varying the activation timing of the plurality of air blowers 1, as described in the first embodiment. That is, the nighttime measurement mode is a measurement mode in which, during a period when the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 is not in use, the air blowers 1 are driven under the same conditions as when the electrical characteristic measurement system 100 is in use, and the electrical characteristics of the air blowers 1 are measured.

[0134] As a result, electrical characteristic measurement system 100a can acquire steady-state electrical characteristic values ​​of blower 1 without affecting the daytime work environment where many workers are present at the place where electrical characteristic measurement system 100a is used, such as a factory or warehouse. Therefore, electrical characteristic measurement system 100a can easily detect abnormalities in blower 1 without affecting the daytime work environment where many workers are present.

[0135] The electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the second embodiment described above has the same effects as the electrical characteristic measuring system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0136] In the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a according to the second embodiment, the measurement device control unit 34 of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3a identifies air blowers 1 for which the fluctuation rate F of the electrical characteristics of the air blowers 1 in a steady state relative to the operating time is determined to be greater than the threshold value S1, thereby identifying air blowers 1 for which the amount of change in the electrical characteristics during any period in the steady state relative to the operating time deviates by a predetermined value or more from the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of other air blowers 1 in a steady state. As a result, in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a, when the electrical characteristics of the air blowers 1 in a steady state relative to the operating time fluctuate due to dust accumulation on the filter 12 of the air blowers 1 or deterioration of the air blowers 1 themselves, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a can detect the air blowers 1 with particularly significant fluctuations and issue an alert for the air blowers 1.

[0137] That is, in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a, the electrical characteristic measurement device 3a compares the changes in the electrical characteristics of individual air blowing devices 1 in a steady state over time, and issues an alert if the change in the electrical characteristics in a steady state for a given period of time deviates from other air blowing devices 1 by more than a predetermined value.

[0138] In this way, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a issues an alert after comparing the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in a steady state over an arbitrary period relative to the operating time with other air blowers 1. Therefore, even if the fluctuation in the electrical characteristic value of the air blower 1 in the steady state is slight, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a can detect an abnormality in the electrical characteristic value if the fluctuation in the electrical characteristic value in the steady state differs from that of other air blowers 1, thereby enabling preventive maintenance of the air blower 1 before an abnormality becomes apparent.

[0139] Third Embodiment In a third embodiment, other functions of the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0140] 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a in embodiment 3. The operation of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a will be described below using an example in which the fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 included in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a are ventilation fans.

[0141] In step S310, transition data of the electrical characteristics in the steady state of the fan 1 is created, which indicates the transition of the electrical characteristics in the steady state for each fan 1. Specifically, the measuring device control unit 34 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a creates the transition data of the electrical characteristics in the steady state for each fan 1.

[0142] The measuring device control unit 34 acquires measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the blower 1 and start / stop data of the blower 1 from the measuring device storage unit 33. The measuring device control unit 34 calculates the steady-state electrical characteristics of each blower 1 from the acquired measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the blower 1. The measuring device control unit 34 then aggregates the steady-state electrical characteristics of each blower 1 for each blower 1, using time as the time axis, and creates second transition data of the electrical characteristics that shows the transition of the steady-state electrical characteristics of each blower 1 over time. Then, the process proceeds to step S320.

[0143] In step S320, a comparison is made of the transitions in the electrical characteristics of the multiple fans 1 in the steady state over time for the multiple fans 1 included in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a. Specifically, the measurement device control unit 34 compares the transitions in the electrical characteristics of the multiple fans 1 in the steady state over time. The measurement device control unit 34 compares the second transition data for each fan 1, i.e., the transitions in the electrical characteristics of the multiple fans 1 in the steady state over the aggregated time, with threshold value S2. The measurement device control unit 34 compares the second transition data for fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 for an arbitrary period with threshold value S2. Then, the process proceeds to step S330.

[0144] In step S330, it is determined whether the fluctuation rate F of the electrical characteristics of the compared blower 1 in the steady state is greater than the threshold value S2. Specifically, the measuring device control unit 34 determines whether the fluctuation rate F of the electrical characteristics of the compared blower 1 in the steady state is greater than the threshold value S2.

[0145] FIG. 14 is a characteristic diagram showing waveforms of transition data of electrical characteristics of fan 1 in a steady state included in electrical characteristic measurement system 100a according to embodiment 3. In FIG. 14, the horizontal axis represents time. In FIG. 14, the vertical axis represents electrical characteristics. In FIG. 14, for waveform W21 of the second transition data for fan 1-1, the amount of change in the electrical characteristics during an arbitrary period Tu2 from time T21 to time T22 is a change amount E11. Also, in FIG. 14, for waveform W22 of the second transition data for fan 1-2, the amount of change in the electrical characteristics during an arbitrary period Tu2 from time T21 to time T22 is a change amount E12. Also, in FIG. 14, for waveform W23 of the second transition data for fan 1-3, the amount of change in the electrical characteristics during an arbitrary period Tu2 from time T21 to time T22 is a change amount E13.

[0146] The frequency of use of the fan 1-1 is at a relatively low "low" level, the frequency of use of the fan 1-2 is at a relatively high "high" level, and the frequency of use of the fan 1-3 is at an average "medium" level.

[0147] The measurement device control unit 34 creates second transition data of the electrical characteristics, which indicates the transition of the electrical characteristics in a steady state over time for each fan 1, using a method similar to the method for creating the first transition data of the electrical characteristics of the fan 1 over operating time described in the second embodiment. Therefore, data on the electrical characteristics at the time of startup of the fan 1 is not included in the second transition data of the electrical characteristics. The time range for creating the second transition data can be any period.

[0148] Furthermore, the measuring device control unit 34 can calculate the fluctuation rate F relative to the reference value, which is the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of the fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 during any given period Tu2, using the above formula (1) or (2). In this case, E in the above formula (2) is the electrical characteristic value of the fan 1-1 at the time of the operating time T21, which is the start point of the given period Tu2. When calculating the fluctuation rate F relative to the reference value for the fan 1-1, E1 is replaced with E11 in the above formula (1) or (2). When calculating the fluctuation rate F relative to the reference value for the fan 1-2, E1 is replaced with E12 in the above formula (1) or (2). When calculating the fluctuation rate F relative to the reference value for the fan 1-3, E1 is replaced with E13 in the above formula (1) or (2).

[0149] The measuring device control unit 34 compares the second transition data of the fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 during an arbitrary period Tu2, for example, from time T21 to time T22, with the threshold value S2. Here, the rate of change F of the change amount E11 of the fans 1-1 and the rate of change E13 of the fans 1-3 relative to the reference value is equal to or less than the threshold value S2. On the other hand, the rate of change F of the change amount E12 of the fans 1-2 relative to the reference value is greater than the threshold value S2.

[0150] The threshold value S2 is a reference value used by the measuring device control unit 34 to determine whether the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of a certain fan 1 in a steady state during a given period deviates by a predetermined value or more from the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of another fan 1 in the steady state during that given period. The threshold value S2 is set as a ratio to the reference value or an absolute value relative to the reference value. The reference value is, for example, the average or median of the electrical characteristics of all the fans 1 being compared during a given period in a steady state. The reference value is also the average or median of the electrical characteristics of any of the fans 1 in the multiple fans 1 being compared during a given period in a steady state. The threshold value S2 is stored in the measuring device control unit 34.

[0151] For fans 1 whose steady-state fluctuation rate F of the electrical characteristics is determined to be greater than threshold value S2, the answer is Yes in step S330, and the process proceeds to step S340. For fans 1 whose steady-state fluctuation rate F of the electrical characteristics is determined to be equal to or less than threshold value S2, the answer is No in step S330, and the process ends.

[0152] In step S340, an alert is issued for the fan 1 for which it has been determined that the rate of fluctuation F of the electrical characteristic in the steady state is greater than the threshold value S2. Specifically, the alert unit 35 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a issues the alert. The measuring device control unit 34 transmits deviation information to the alert unit 35 for each fan 1 for each group for which it has determined that the rate of fluctuation F of the electrical characteristic in the steady state is greater than the threshold value S2. Upon receiving the deviation information, the alert unit 35 issues an alert for the fan 1 specified in the deviation information.

[0153] By performing the above-described processing, a series of alert issuing processes in the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the third embodiment is completed.

[0154] The alert unit 35 that performs the alert issuing process in the above-described third embodiment can be considered a second alert unit in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a. That is, the second alert unit issues an alert for a blower 1 in a group in which, during the same time period, the rate of fluctuation F of the electrical characteristic of the blower 1 in a steady state exceeds a predetermined condition compared to the blower 1 in the other groups. The same time period can be considered to be the same period of time. Therefore, the alert unit 35 of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a may function as a first alert unit, a second alert unit, or both the first and second alert units.

[0155] Unlike the comparison of the electrical characteristics of the fan 1 in a steady state with respect to the operating time in the second embodiment, the third embodiment uses the electrical characteristics of the fan 1 in a steady state with respect to time, and therefore the amount of change in the electrical characteristics in a steady state is small for a fan 1 that operates less frequently. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a can issue an alert for a fan 1 that operates much less frequently than other fans 1 or for a fan 1 that operates much more frequently than other fans 1.

[0156] That is, in the third embodiment, for example, in the case of some ventilation fans, when switch 2 is temporarily turned off for cleaning or the like, and then the operation of the ventilation fan is forgotten to be restored and switch 2 is left in the off state, an alert can be issued.

[0157] In the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a in the above-described third embodiment, the measurement device control unit 34 of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3a identifies air blowers 1 for which it has been determined that the rate of change F of the electrical characteristics of the air blowers 1 in a steady state with respect to time is greater than the threshold value S2, thereby identifying air blowers 1 for which the amount of change in the electrical characteristics over an arbitrary period in the steady state with respect to time deviates by a predetermined value or more from the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of other air blowers 1 in a steady state with respect to time. As a result, in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a, when the electrical characteristics of the air blowers 1 in a steady state with respect to time fluctuate due to dust accumulation on the filter 12 of the air blowers 1 or deterioration of the air blowers 1 themselves, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a can detect the air blowers 1 with particularly significant fluctuations and issue an alert for the air blowers 1.

[0158] That is, in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a, the electrical characteristic measurement device 3a compares the changes in the electrical characteristics of individual air blowing devices 1 in a steady state over time, and issues an alert if the change in the electrical characteristics in a steady state for a given period of time deviates from other air blowing devices 1 by more than a predetermined value.

[0159] In this way, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a issues an alert after comparing the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 over a given period in a steady state with other air blowers 1. Therefore, even if the fluctuation in the electrical characteristic value of the air blower 1 in the steady state is slight, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a can detect an abnormality in the electrical characteristic value if the fluctuation in the electrical characteristic value in the steady state differs from that of other air blowers 1, thereby enabling preventive maintenance of the air blower 1 before an abnormality becomes apparent.

[0160] Fourth Embodiment Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electrical characteristic measuring device 3b included in an electrical characteristic measuring system 100b according to a fourth embodiment. The electrical characteristic measuring system 100b according to the fourth embodiment differs from the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the second embodiment in that the electrical characteristic measuring system 100b according to the fourth embodiment includes an electrical characteristic measuring device 3b instead of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a. The electrical characteristic measuring device 3b according to the fourth embodiment differs from the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a according to the second embodiment in that the measuring device storage unit 33 stores blade shape information 331. Note that, in the electrical characteristic measuring system 100b according to the fourth embodiment, components similar to those of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a according to the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0161] The blade shape information 331 is information about the blade shape of the impeller 11a attached to the blower 1, and is stored in the measuring device storage unit 33. The measuring device storage unit 33 stores the blade shape information 331 for each group. In this case, the blowers 1 in each group all have the same impeller 11a and are the same type of blower.

[0162] In the electrical characteristic measurement system 100b according to the fourth embodiment, the same processing as in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a according to the second embodiment is performed, and the alert unit 35 issues an alert. Here, in step S220 of the second embodiment or step S320 of the third embodiment, the measurement device control unit 34 of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3b of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100b determines which fans 1 have the same blade shape of the impeller 11a based on the blade shape information 331, and compares the steady-state electrical characteristics of the fans 1 having the same blade shape of the impeller 11a. By comparing the steady-state electrical characteristics of the fans 1 having the same blade shape of the impeller 11a, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100b can more accurately identify which fans 1 have a change in the steady-state electrical characteristics of the fans 1 over a given period that deviates by a predetermined value or more from the change in the steady-state electrical characteristics of other fans 1 over the given period.

[0163] The electrical characteristic measuring system 100b according to the fourth embodiment described above has the same effects as the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the second embodiment.

[0164] Furthermore, because the electrical characteristic measurement system 100b according to the fourth embodiment compares the electrical characteristics in the steady state between air blowers 1 having the same blade shape of the impeller 11a, it can more accurately determine air blowers 1 in which the amount of change in the electrical characteristics in the steady state of the air blower 1 over a given period deviates by a predetermined value or more from the amount of change in the electrical characteristics in the steady state of other air blowers 1 over the given period. As a result, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100b can more accurately detect abnormalities in the air blowers 1 by comparing the electrical characteristics in the steady state between air blowers 1 having the same blade shape of the impeller 11a.

[0165] Fifth Embodiment In a fifth embodiment, other functions of the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0166] 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of a centrifugal fan 1b, which is the blower 1 included in an electrical characteristic measurement system 100a according to embodiment 5. In embodiment 5, electrical characteristic measurement system 100a includes centrifugal fan 1b as the blower 1. Centrifugal fan 1b includes a centrifugal impeller 11c as an impeller.

[0167] In addition, in embodiment 5, if the rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in a steady state has decreased by more than a specified value, which is a predetermined condition, compared to the air blowers 1 of other groups, the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a issues an alert and issues a message indicating that the pressure loss of the air blower 1 may be increasing due to clogging of the filter 12 or other causes.

[0168] Generally, in a centrifugal fan, the motor current or power decreases as the pressure loss increases, and the electrical characteristics in a steady state decrease. On the other hand, in an axial flow fan, the motor current or power increases as the pressure loss increases, and the electrical characteristics in a steady state increase. From this, it is possible to estimate the factors that cause fluctuations in the electrical characteristics of the fan 1 depending on the blade shape of the impeller attached to the fan 1, i.e., the type of fan 1.

[0169] In the fifth embodiment, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a uses a centrifugal fan 1b as the air blower 1. In this case, if the rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in a steady state is reduced by a specified value or more compared to the air blowers 1 of other groups, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a estimates that the cause of the change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in a steady state may be an increase in pressure loss in the air blower 1 due to clogging of the filter 12 or other causes.

[0170] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the fifth embodiment. Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the fifth embodiment.

[0171] First, step S410 is performed in the same manner as step S210 in embodiment 2. Then, the process proceeds to step S420.

[0172] In step S420, a comparison is made of the transitions in the electrical characteristics of the plurality of fans 1 in the steady state versus the operating time of the fans 1 for the plurality of fans 1 included in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a. Specifically, the measurement device control unit 34 compares the transitions in the electrical characteristics of the plurality of fans 1 in the steady state versus the operating time. The measurement device control unit 34 compares the first transition data for each fan 1, i.e., the transitions in the electrical characteristics of the plurality of fans 1 in the steady state versus the aggregated operating time, with threshold value S3. The measurement device control unit 34 compares the first transition data for fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 for an arbitrary period with threshold value S3. Then, the process proceeds to step S430.

[0173] In step S430, it is determined whether the electrical characteristics of the compared blower 1 have decreased during a given period in the steady state, and whether the rate of change F of the electrical characteristics during that given period in the steady state is greater than threshold value S3. Specifically, the measuring device control unit 34 determines whether the electrical characteristics of the compared blower 1 have decreased during a given period in the steady state, and whether the rate of change F of the electrical characteristics during that given period in the steady state is greater than threshold value S3.

[0174] The threshold value S3 is a reference value used by the measurement device control unit 34 to determine whether the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of a certain fan 1 in a steady state during a given period deviates by a predetermined value or more from the amount of change in the electrical characteristics of another fan 1 in the steady state during that given period. The threshold value S3 is set as a ratio to the reference value or an absolute value relative to the reference value. The reference value is, for example, the average or median of the electrical characteristics of all the fans 1 being compared during a given period in a steady state. The reference value is also the average or median of the electrical characteristics of any of the fans 1 in the plurality of fans 1 being compared during a given period in a steady state. The threshold value S3 is stored in the measurement device control unit 34.

[0175] For fans 1 that are determined to satisfy the conditions that the electrical characteristics have decreased during a given period in the steady state and that the rate of change F of the electrical characteristics during that given period in the steady state is greater than threshold value S3, the answer is Yes in step S430 and the process proceeds to step S440. For fans 1 that are determined to satisfy the conditions that the electrical characteristics have decreased during a given period in the steady state and that the rate of change F of the electrical characteristics during that given period in the steady state is greater than threshold value S3, the answer is No in step S430 and the process ends.

[0176] In step S440, an alert is issued for a blower 1 that is determined to satisfy the conditions that the electrical characteristic has decreased for an arbitrary period in the steady state and that the fluctuation rate F of the electrical characteristic for that arbitrary period in the steady state is greater than threshold value S3. Specifically, the alert unit 35 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a issues the alert. The measuring device control unit 34 transmits deviation information to the alert unit 35 for a blower 1 that is determined to have the fluctuation rate F of the electrical characteristic in the steady state greater than threshold value S3. Upon receiving the deviation information, the alert unit 35 issues an alert for the blower 1 specified in the deviation information.

[0177] When issuing an alert, the alert unit 35 also issues a message stating that the pressure loss of the blower 1 for which the alert is being issued may be increasing due to clogging of the filter 12 or other causes, causing surging.

[0178] By performing the above-described processing, a series of alert issuing processes in the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the fifth embodiment is completed.

[0179] The alert unit 35 that performs the alert issuing process in the fifth embodiment described above can be said to be a third alert unit in the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a.

[0180] In the above-described fifth embodiment, when a fluctuation in the electrical characteristics in a steady state that is specific to the air blowing device 1 such as a ventilation fan or a blower is detected, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a can issue an alert and suggest to the user the cause of the fluctuation in the electrical characteristics in the steady state of the air blowing device 1. This allows the user to reduce the time required to investigate the cause of the fluctuation in the electrical characteristics in the steady state of the air blowing device 1.

[0181] Sixth Embodiment In a sixth embodiment, other functions of the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0182] In embodiment 6, when the fluctuation range R of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in a steady state during any predetermined short period of time, such as 2 to 3 seconds, exceeds a predetermined value, which is a predetermined condition, the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a issues an alert and issues a message indicating that there is a possibility that surging is occurring due to an increase in pressure loss in the air blower 1 due to clogging of the filter 12 or other causes.

[0183] Surging is a type of unstable phenomenon in which electrical characteristics such as power or current in a steady state fluctuate periodically when pressure loss in the air blower 1 increases. Therefore, when the air blower 1 is in a steady state and the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in the steady state fluctuate at intervals of about 2 to 3 seconds, it is estimated that surging may be occurring as a factor in the fluctuation of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in the steady state.

[0184] Therefore, any predetermined short period of about 2 to 3 seconds can be considered as a surging determination period for determining the possibility that surging is occurring in the air blower 1 in a steady state.

[0185] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the sixth embodiment. Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the sixth embodiment.

[0186] First, step S510 is performed. Step S510 is performed in the same manner as step S310 in embodiment 3. Then, the process proceeds to step S520.

[0187] In step S520, a comparison is made of the transitions in the electrical characteristics of the multiple fans 1 in the steady state over time for the multiple fans 1 included in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a. Specifically, the measurement device control unit 34 compares the transitions in the electrical characteristics of the multiple fans 1 in the steady state over time. The measurement device control unit 34 compares the second transition data for each fan 1, i.e., the transitions in the electrical characteristics of the multiple fans 1 in the steady state over the aggregated time, with threshold value S4. The measurement device control unit 34 compares the fluctuation range R of fans 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 during the surging determination period with threshold value S4, which is a specified value. Then, the process proceeds to step S530.

[0188] The threshold value S4 is a reference value that the measuring device control unit 34 uses to estimate the possibility of surging occurring in the air blower 1 by comparing the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in a steady state during the surging determination period. The threshold value S4 is determined in advance and stored in the measuring device control unit 34.

[0189] In step S530, it is determined whether the fluctuation range R of the electrical characteristics of the compared blower 1 in a steady state during the surging determination period is greater than threshold value S4. Specifically, the measuring device control unit 34 determines whether the fluctuation range R of the electrical characteristics of the compared blower 1 in a steady state during the surging determination period is greater than threshold value S4.

[0190] For fans 1 whose fluctuation range R of the electrical characteristics in the steady state is determined to be greater than threshold value S4, the answer is Yes in step S530, and the process proceeds to step S540. For fans 1 whose fluctuation range R of the electrical characteristics in the steady state is determined to be equal to or less than threshold value S4, the answer is No in step S530, and the process ends.

[0191] In step S540, an alert is issued for any fan 1 determined to have a fluctuation range R of the electrical characteristic in the steady state greater than threshold value S4. Specifically, the alert unit 35 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3a issues the alert. The measuring device control unit 34 transmits deviation information to the alert unit 35 for any fan 1 determined to have a fluctuation range R of the electrical characteristic in the steady state greater than threshold value S4. Upon receiving the deviation information, the alert unit 35 issues an alert for any fan 1 specified in the deviation information.

[0192] When issuing an alert, the alert unit 35 also issues a message stating that the pressure loss of the blower 1 for which the alert is being issued may be increasing due to clogging of the filter 12 or other causes, causing surging.

[0193] By performing the above processing, a series of alert issuing processes in the electrical characteristic measuring system 100a according to the sixth embodiment is completed.

[0194] In the sixth embodiment described above, when a fluctuation in the electrical characteristics in a steady state that is specific to the air blowing device 1 such as a ventilation fan or a blower is detected, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a can issue an alert and suggest to the user the cause of the fluctuation in the electrical characteristics in the steady state of the air blowing device 1. This allows the user to reduce the time required to investigate the cause of the fluctuation in the electrical characteristics in the steady state of the air blowing device 1.

[0195] The fluctuation in the electrical characteristics in the steady state that is specific to the air blower 1 in the sixth embodiment is that the fluctuation range R of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in the steady state is larger than the threshold value S4.

[0196] Seventh Embodiment FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an electrical characteristic measurement device 3c included in an electrical characteristic measurement system 100c according to the seventh embodiment. The electrical characteristic measurement system 100c according to the seventh embodiment differs from the electrical characteristic measurement system 100a according to the second embodiment in that the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c according to the seventh embodiment includes an electrical characteristic measurement device 3c instead of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3. The electrical characteristic measurement device 3c according to the seventh embodiment differs from the electrical characteristic measurement device 3a according to the second embodiment in that the electrical characteristic measurement device 3c further includes a machine learning device 200 in addition to the configuration of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3. That is, the electrical characteristic measurement device 3c includes a measurement unit 31, a measurement device communication unit 32, a measurement device storage unit 33, a measurement device control unit 34, an alert unit 35, and the machine learning device 200. Note that the components of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c according to the seventh embodiment that are similar to those of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3a according to the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0197] The electrical characteristic measuring system 100c can learn whether or not there is deterioration in the air blower 1. That is, the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c according to the seventh embodiment includes a machine learning device 200 and learns whether or not there is deterioration in the air blower 1.

[0198] The machine learning device 200 includes a learning device 210 and an inference device 220. The machine learning device 200 learns whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated, based on input information that is information related to the operating state of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c. More specifically, the machine learning device 200 learns whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated, based on the input information that is start / stop data of the switch 2 and measurement data of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1.

[0199] Below, we will explain the learning phase performed by the learning device 210 and the utilization phase performed by the inference device 220. Note that in the seventh embodiment, we will explain the case where the machine learning device 200 is arranged inside the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c and is a component of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c, but the machine learning device 200 may also be arranged outside the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c.

[0200] <Learning Phase> Fig. 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of a learning device 210 according to the seventh embodiment. The learning device 210 is a computer that learns whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated, based on input information that is information related to the operating state of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c. The learning device 210 includes a data acquisition unit 211 and a model generation unit 212. The data acquisition unit 211 is a first data acquisition unit in the machine learning device 200 included in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c according to the seventh embodiment.

[0201] The data acquisition unit 211 acquires, as learning data, activation / deactivation data of the switch 2 and electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c. The electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 is information acquired by the electrical characteristic measurement device 3c and related to the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 over time. The electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 includes measurement data of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1. The electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 also includes the first transition data, the second transition data, and information on the rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in a steady state over time, such as an arbitrary operating time or time, as described in the second and third embodiments. The data acquisition unit 211 acquires the learning data, for example, from the measurement device control unit 34 of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3c. Note that the data acquisition unit 211 may acquire the learning data from outside the electrical characteristic measurement device 3c.

[0202] The model generation unit 212 learns whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated based on learning data created based on a combination of the start / stop data of the switch 2 output from the data acquisition unit 211 and the measurement data of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1. That is, the model generation unit 212 generates a trained model 214 for the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c that infers whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated from the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the measurement data of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1. Here, the learning data is data in which the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the measurement data of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 are associated with each other.

[0203] When machine learning is used to detect deterioration of the air blower 1, the trained model 214 is configured as a model for classifying (clustering) the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the measurement data of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 when there is deterioration in the air blower 1 (when deteriorated) and the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the measurement data of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 when there is no deterioration in the air blower 1 (when normal).

[0204] The learning algorithm used by the model generation unit 212 may be a known algorithm such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, or reinforcement learning. As an example, a case will be described in which the unsupervised learning method, k-means (clustering), is applied to the learning device 210. Unsupervised learning is a method of learning features in learning data that does not contain results (labels) by providing the learning device with the learning data.

[0205] The model generation unit 212 learns whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated by so-called unsupervised learning, for example, in accordance with a grouping method using the K-means method. The K-means method is a non-hierarchical clustering algorithm, and is a method of classifying a given number of clusters into k clusters using the mean of the clusters.

[0206] Specifically, the K-means algorithm is processed as follows: First, a cluster is randomly assigned to each data x. Next, the center Vj of each cluster is calculated based on the assigned data. Next, the distance between each x and each vj is calculated, and x is reassigned to the cluster with the closest center. If the cluster assignment for all x remains unchanged through the above process, or if the amount of change falls below a predetermined threshold, it is determined that convergence has occurred and the process ends.

[0207] In embodiment 7, the presence or absence of deterioration of the air blower 1 is learned by so-called unsupervised learning in accordance with learning data created based on a combination of start / stop data of the switch 2 acquired by the data acquisition unit 211 and measurement data of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1.

[0208] The model generation unit 212 generates and outputs a trained model 214 by performing the above-described learning.

[0209] The trained model storage unit 213 stores the trained model 214 output from the model generation unit 212. The trained model storage unit 213 may be located inside the learning device 210, outside the learning device 210, or in the measuring device storage unit 33 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c.

[0210] Next, a process in which the learning device 210 learns to determine whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated will be described with reference to Fig. 21. Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the learning process performed by the learning device 210 according to the seventh embodiment.

[0211] In step S610, the data acquisition unit 211 acquires the activation / deactivation data of the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1, which are learning data.

[0212] The data acquisition unit 211 may acquire the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 at the same time or at different times. That is, the data acquisition unit 211 may acquire each piece of information at any time as long as the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 can be input to the model generation unit 212 in association with each other.

[0213] In step S620, the model generation unit 212 executes a learning process using the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1. Specifically, the model generation unit 212 learns whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated by so-called unsupervised learning in accordance with learning data created based on a combination of the start / stop data of the switch 2 acquired by the data acquisition unit 211 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1, and generates a learned model 214.

[0214] In step S630, the trained model storage unit 213 stores the trained model 214 generated by the model generation unit 212.

[0215] <Utilization Phase> Figure 22 is a diagram showing the configuration of an inference device 220 according to the seventh embodiment. The inference device 220 is a computer that estimates the presence or absence of deterioration of the air blower 1 based on input information, which is information related to the operating state of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c, and the trained model 214 generated by the learning device 210. The inference device 220 includes a data acquisition unit 221 and an inference unit 222. The data acquisition unit 221 is a second data acquisition unit in the machine learning device 200 included in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c according to the seventh embodiment. The inference unit 222 is connected to the trained model storage unit 213.

[0216] The data acquisition unit 221 acquires, as input data, activation / deactivation data of the switch 2 and electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c. The electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 includes measurement data of the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1. The electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 also includes, as in the second or third embodiment, first transition data, second transition data, and information on the rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in a steady state with respect to a given operating time or time. The input data acquired by the data acquisition unit 221 is inference data used by the inference unit 222 to perform inference. The data acquisition unit 221 acquires the input data, for example, from the measurement device control unit 34 of the electrical characteristic measurement device 3c. Note that the data acquisition unit 221 may acquire the input data from outside the electrical characteristic measurement device 3c.

[0217] The inference unit 222 infers the presence or absence of deterioration of the air blower 1 obtained by using the trained model 214 stored in the trained model storage unit 213. That is, by inputting the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 acquired by the data acquisition unit 221 into the trained model 214, the inference unit 222 can infer to which cluster the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 belong, and output the inference result as information on the presence or absence of deterioration of the air blower 1.

[0218] The inference unit 222 determines whether the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 input to the trained model 214 belong to a cluster indicating a time when the air blower 1 is degraded (degraded), or whether they belong to a cluster indicating a time when the air blower 1 is not degraded (normal). If the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 input to the trained model 214 belong to a cluster indicating a time when the air blower 1 is degraded (degraded), the inference unit 222 infers that there is degradation of the air blower 1. On the other hand, if the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1 input to the trained model 214 belong to a cluster indicating a time when the air blower 1 is not degraded (normal), the inference unit 222 infers that there is no degradation of the air blower 1.

[0219] In addition, in embodiment 7, it has been described that the inference device 220 outputs information on whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated using the learned model 214 learned by the model generation unit 212 provided in the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c. However, the inference device 220 may also acquire the learned model 214 from an external source, such as another electrical characteristic measuring system 100c, and output information on whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated based on the learned model 214.

[0220] In this way, the inference unit 222 outputs information on the presence or absence of deterioration of the air blower 1, obtained based on the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1, to the input / output unit 300 of the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c. The inference unit 222 transmits the information on the presence or absence of deterioration of the air blower 1 to the measuring device communication unit 32 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c. Upon receiving the information on the presence or absence of deterioration of the air blower 1 transmitted from the inference unit 222, the measuring device communication unit 32 outputs the information to the input / output unit 300.

[0221] Examples of the input / output unit 300 include the alert unit 35, a personal computer capable of communicating with the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c or the control device 4, a display device capable of communicating with the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c or the control device 4, an alarm device capable of communicating with the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c or the control device 4, and a personal terminal capable of communicating with the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c or the control device 4 and receiving an email alert regarding deterioration of the air blower 1.

[0222] Next, a process in which the inference device 220 infers whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated will be described with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the inference process performed by the inference device 220 according to the seventh embodiment.

[0223] In step S710, the data acquisition unit 221 acquires the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1, which are input data.

[0224] In step S720, the inference unit 222 inputs the input data, that is, the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1, to the trained model 214 stored in the trained model storage unit 213. That is, the inference unit 222 reads out the trained model 214 from the trained model storage unit 213. Then, the inference unit 222 inputs the input data, that is, the start / stop data of the switch 2 and the electrical characteristic information of the air blower 1, into the read trained model 214. In this way, the inference unit 222 determines whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated.

[0225] In step S730, the inference unit 222 outputs the inference result, i.e., information on whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated, obtained by the trained model 214, to the input / output unit 300 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c in the electrical characteristic measuring system 100c.

[0226] For example, the inference unit 222 compares multiple air blowers 1 with similar operating times, and when the multiple air blowers 1 are classified into a group in which the rate of fluctuation of the electrical characteristics of the air blowers 1 in the steady state is relatively large and a group in which the rate of fluctuation of the electrical characteristics of the air blowers 1 in the steady state is relatively small, it can determine that the air blowers 1 in the group in which the rate of fluctuation of the electrical characteristics of the air blowers 1 in the steady state is relatively large is deteriorating.

[0227] When determining whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated, a threshold value for the rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in a steady state may be set in advance. The threshold value is stored, for example, in the inference unit 222. The threshold value may be set in the inference unit 222 by receiving threshold value data for each model of the air blower 1 from the manufacturer of the air blower 1, or may be set individually in the inference unit 222 based on various conditions such as the usage status of the air blower 1.

[0228] The threshold value is a reference value used by the inference unit 222 to determine whether the rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in the steady state falls into one of a group with a relatively large rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in the steady state and a group with a relatively small rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in the steady state. For example, when the rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in the steady state fluctuates by more than the threshold value, the inference unit 222 classifies the rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in the steady state into a group with a relatively large rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in the steady state. Furthermore, when the rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in the steady state does not fluctuate by more than the threshold value, the inference unit 222 classifies the rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in the steady state into a group with a relatively small rate of change in the electrical characteristics of the air blower 1 in the steady state.

[0229] In step S740, the input / output unit 300 issues an alert about deterioration of the air blower 1 based on the information on the presence or absence of deterioration of the air blower 1. This allows the user to easily and quickly grasp the actual state of deterioration of the air blower 1 provided in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c, determine which air blower 1 is deteriorated, and take early action against the deterioration of the air blower 1.

[0230] In the seventh embodiment, a case where unsupervised learning is applied to the learning algorithm used by the model generating unit 212 and the inferring unit 222 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. As for the learning algorithm, reinforcement learning, supervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or the like can also be applied in addition to unsupervised learning.

[0231] Furthermore, the learning algorithm used in the learning device 210 may be deep learning, which learns to extract the feature values ​​themselves, or any other known method.

[0232] When realizing the unsupervised learning in the seventh embodiment, the clustering method is not limited to the non-hierarchical clustering using the K-means method as described above, but may be any other known method capable of clustering. For example, the learning device 210 may use a hierarchical clustering method such as a shortest distance method.

[0233] In the seventh embodiment, the learning device 210 and the inference device 220 may be connected to the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c via a network, and may be separate devices from the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c. Alternatively, the learning device 210 and the inference device 220 may be built into the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c. Furthermore, the learning device 210 and the inference device 220 may exist on a cloud server.

[0234] The model generation unit 212 may also learn whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated based on training data created for multiple electrical characteristic measurement systems 100c. The model generation unit 212 may acquire training data from multiple electrical characteristic measurement systems 100c used in the same area, or may learn to determine whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated by using training data collected from multiple electrical characteristic measurement systems 100c operating independently in different areas. The electrical characteristic measurement systems 100c that collect training data may be added to or removed from the targets during the process.

[0235] Furthermore, a learning device 210 that has learned to determine whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated in relation to a certain electrical characteristic measurement system 100c may be applied to another electrical characteristic measurement system 100c, and the learning device 210 may re-learn and update the whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated in the other electrical characteristic measurement system 100c.

[0236] As described above, according to the learning device 210 of the seventh embodiment, an electrical characteristic measurement system for a blower is realized, which includes a learning device including: a data acquisition unit that acquires learning data including electrical characteristic information, which includes measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the blower and is information related to the electrical characteristics of the blower over time acquired by the electrical characteristic measurement device, and switch start / stop data; and a model generation unit that uses the learning data to generate a trained model for inferring whether or not the blower has deteriorated from the electrical characteristic information and the switch start / stop data.

[0237] As described above, according to the inference device 220 of the seventh embodiment, an electrical characteristic measurement system for a blower is realized, which includes an inference device that includes: a data acquisition unit that acquires electrical characteristic information, which includes measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristics of the blower and is information related to the electrical characteristics of the blower over time acquired by the electrical characteristic measurement device, and switch start / stop data; and an inference unit that outputs whether or not the blower has deteriorated based on the electrical characteristic information and switch start / stop data acquired by the data acquisition unit.

[0238] The electrical characteristic measurement system 100c according to the seventh embodiment described above uses the machine learning device 200 to generate information on the presence or absence of deterioration of the air blower 1, and issues an alert regarding the deterioration of the air blower 1 based on the information on the presence or absence of deterioration of the air blower 1. This allows the user to easily and quickly grasp the actual state of deterioration of the air blower 1 provided in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c, determine which air blower 1 is deteriorated, and take early action to address the deterioration of the air blower 1. Therefore, in the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c, maintenance of the air blower 1 can be performed before a malfunction such as a breakdown of the air blower 1 due to deterioration occurs, thereby realizing a highly reliable electrical characteristic measurement system.

[0239] Furthermore, by utilizing machine learning, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c can improve the accuracy of determining whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated. Furthermore, the electrical characteristic measurement system 100c can reduce the data analysis load in determining whether or not the air blower 1 has deteriorated.

[0240] Next, the hardware configuration of each of the control units 80 according to the first to seventh embodiments will be described. The control unit 80 corresponds to the measurement device control unit 34 of each of the electrical characteristic measuring devices 3, 3a, 3b, and 3c, the switch control unit 23 of the switch 2, the control device control unit 43 of the control device 4, and the machine learning device 200 of the electrical characteristic measuring device 3c in the electrical characteristic measuring systems 100, 100a, 100b, and 100c according to the first to seventh embodiments. Each function of the control unit 80 according to the first to seventh embodiments is realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware or a processing device that executes a program stored in a storage device.

[0241] When the processing circuit is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or a combination thereof. Figure 24 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the functions of the control unit 80 according to the first to seventh embodiments are realized by hardware. The processing circuit 81 incorporates a logic circuit 81a that realizes the functions of the control unit 80.

[0242] When the processing circuit 81 is a processing device, the functions of the control unit 80 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0243] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the functions of the control unit 80 according to the first to seventh embodiments are implemented by software. The processing circuit 81 includes a processor 811 that executes a program 81b, a random access memory 812 that the processor 811 uses as a work area, and a storage device 813 that stores the program 81b. The processor 811 deploys the program 81b stored in the storage device 813 on the random access memory 812 and executes it, thereby realizing the functions of the control unit 80. The software or firmware is written in a programming language and stored in the storage device 813. The processor 811 may be, but is not limited to, a central processing unit. The storage device 813 may be a semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The semiconductor memory may be either a non-volatile memory or a volatile memory. In addition to semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) can be used as the storage device 813. The processor 811 may output data such as calculation results to the storage device 813 for storage, or may store the data in an auxiliary storage device (not shown) via the random access memory 812. By integrating the processor 811, the random access memory 812, and the storage device 813 on a single chip, the functions of the control unit 80 can be realized by a microcomputer.

[0244] The processing circuitry 81 reads and executes the program 81b stored in the storage device 813 to realize the functions of the control unit 80. It can also be said that the program 81b causes the computer to execute the procedures and methods for realizing the functions of the control unit 80.

[0245] The processing circuit 81 may be configured so that some of the functions of the control unit 80 are realized by dedicated hardware, and some of the functions of the control unit 80 are realized by software or firmware.

[0246] In this way, the processing circuitry 81 can realize each of the above-described functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0247] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be combined with other known technologies, or different embodiments may be combined with each other. It is also possible to omit or modify parts of the configurations as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention.

[0248] 1 Blower, 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4A, 1-4B Blower, 1a Blower group, 1b Centrifugal blower, 2, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4 Switch, 3, 3a, 3b, 3c Electrical characteristic measuring device, 4 Control device, 5 Electric wire, 6 Power supply device, 11 Blower unit, 11a Impeller, 11b Motor, 11c Centrifugal impeller, 12 Filter, 21 Switch circuit, 22 Switch communication unit, 23 Switch control unit, 31 Measurement unit, 32 Measurement device communication unit, 33 Measurement device memory unit, 34 Measurement device control unit, 35 Alert unit, 41 Control device communication unit, 42 Control device memory unit, 43 Control device control unit, 80 Control unit, 81 Processing circuit, 81a Logic circuit, 81b Program, 100, 100a, 100b, 100c Electrical characteristic measurement system, 200 Machine learning device, 210 Learning device, 211, 221 Data acquisition unit, 212 Model generation unit, 213 Learned model storage unit, 214 Learned model, 220 Inference device, 222 Inference unit, 300 Input / output unit, 331 Blade shape information.

Claims

1. a group of air blowers including a plurality of air blowers to which power is supplied from one power supply device; The group of air blowers is divided into a plurality of groups, each group consisting of one or more air blowers, and a plurality of switches are assigned to each of the plurality of groups, and the switches start and stop the air blowers assigned to each group; an electrical characteristic measuring device that measures a total value of the electrical characteristics of the group of air blowers; Equipped with calculating a value of the electrical characteristic in a steady state of the air blower for each of the groups based on switch activation / deactivation data, which is operation data when the switch activates or deactivates the air blower assigned to the switch, and measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristic; The electrical characteristics measurement system for a blower is characterized by the above.

2. the electrical characteristic is power or current supplied to the air blower; 2. The system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to claim 1 .

3. a control device that issues control instructions to the plurality of switches to start and stop the air blowers; the control device issues a first startup instruction to a first switch assigned to the first group to start up the air blowers of a first group among the plurality of groups, and after the electrical characteristics of the air blowers of the first group have transitioned to a steady state, issues a second startup instruction to a second switch assigned to the second group to start up the air blowers of a second group among the plurality of groups; 2. The system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to claim 1 .

4. an alert unit that issues an alert for the air blower of a group in which a rate of change in the electrical characteristic of the air blower in a steady state exceeds a predetermined condition during the same time period compared with the air blowers of other groups among the plurality of groups; 2. The system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to claim 1 .

5. the alert unit issues the alert for the air blower of the group in which a rate of change in the electrical characteristic of the air blower in a steady state exceeds a predetermined condition compared with the air blowers of other groups among the plurality of groups during the same operating time period; 5. The system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to claim 4.

6. the alert unit issues the alert for the air blower of the group in which a rate of fluctuation of the electrical characteristic in a steady state of the air blower exceeds a predetermined condition in the same time period as compared with the air blowers of other groups among the plurality of groups; 5. The system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to claim 4.

7. the electrical characteristic measuring device stores the blade shape of the impeller included in the air blower for each group, and compares the rate of variation in the electrical characteristics between the groups in which the impeller has the same blade shape; 5. The system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to claim 4.

8. the blower is a centrifugal blower equipped with a filter that purifies the air to be blown, the alert unit issues a message indicating that there is a possibility that pressure loss in the air blower is increasing when issuing the alert if a rate of change in the electrical characteristic in the steady state of the air blower has decreased by a specified value or more compared to the air blowers in the other groups; 8. The system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to claim 7.

9. the message includes a message indicating that the pressure loss of the air blower may be increasing due to clogging of the filter; 9. The system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to claim 8.

10. the alert unit issues a message indicating that a pressure loss in the air blower may be increasing and surging may be occurring when issuing the alert if a fluctuation range of the electrical characteristic in the steady state of the air blower during a surging determination period for determining the possibility of surging occurring in the air blower exceeds a predetermined condition; 7. The system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to claim 6.

11. The switch is A speed adjustment function is provided to control the output of the air blower. calculating a value of the electrical characteristic in a steady state of the air blower for each of the groups assigned to the switch based on switch speed adjustment data, which is data on the output of the air blower when the output of the air blower is adjusted by the speed adjustment function of the switch, and measurement data on the total value of the electrical characteristic; 2. The system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to claim 1 .

12. a data acquisition unit that acquires learning data including electrical characteristic information, which includes measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristic and is acquired by the electrical characteristic measuring device and is information related to the electrical characteristics of the air blower over time, and activation / deactivation data of the switch; a model generation unit that generates a trained model for inferring the presence or absence of deterioration of the air blower from the electrical characteristic information and the start / stop data of the switch using the training data; a learning device comprising:

2. The system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to claim 1 .

13. a data acquisition unit that acquires electrical characteristic information, which includes measurement data of the total value of the electrical characteristic and is acquired by the electrical characteristic measuring device and is information related to the electrical characteristics of the air blower over time, and activation / deactivation data of the switch; an inference unit that outputs whether or not the air blower has deteriorated based on the electrical characteristic information and the activation / deactivation data of the switch acquired by the data acquisition unit; a reasoning device comprising:

13. The system for measuring electrical characteristics of a blower according to claim 1 .