Demand control device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat source systems with multiple units of varying capacities and output characteristics face reduced responsiveness in demand control, as existing technologies do not effectively manage energy suppression across units with different characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A demand control device with a receiving section, energy suppression amount value calculating section, heat source output determining section, and driving section, which calculates and applies individual output adjustments to each heat source unit based on load and coefficient of performance information to optimize energy suppression and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If demand control is performed by simultaneously suppressing energy consumption of all controllable heat source units by a given proportion, then energy consumption target is achieved, but responsiveness is reduced when heat source units have different capacities and output characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining output individually for each heat source unit based on its specific characteristics (capacity and output characteristics) rather than applying a uniform suppression proportion. The control device calculates energy suppression amount values and determines optimal output levels tailored to each unit's capabilities, enabling differentiated control that maintains responsiveness while achieving energy targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from a uniform suppression proportion to individual output determination based on unit-specific characteristics. By calculating energy suppression amount values and translating them into individual output settings for each heat source unit, the system adapts the control parameters to match the diverse characteristics of different units, improving overall responsiveness.
2Speed
If individual output control is implemented for each heat source unit based on capacity and output characteristics, then responsiveness is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control process into distinct functional sections: a receiving section that accepts demand signals, an energy suppression amount value calculating section that computes suppression values, a heat source output determining section that translates suppression values into individual unit outputs, and a driving section that executes control. This segmentation manages complexity by organizing the control logic into modular, manageable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation step where energy suppression amount values are computed as intermediate parameters between the demand signal and the final output control. This intermediary layer simplifies the control logic by breaking down the complex task of individual unit control into manageable calculation steps, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a demand control device which improves responsiveness even in a heat source system which has a plurality of heat source units where the capacities and/or the output characteristics are different. A demand control device (10), which performs demand control where energy consumption of heat source units (50a, 50b, 50c) is suppressed with regard to a heat source system (100) which has a plurality of the heat source units where the capacities and/or the output characteristics are different, is provided with a receiving section (11) which receives a demand signal which requests starting of the demand control, an energy suppression amount value calculating section (13a) which calculates an energy suppression amount value which is a value relating to an energy amount which is suppressed during the demand control, a heat source output determining section (13b) which determines an output individually with regard to each of the plurality of heat source units based on the energy suppression amount value, and a driving section (13c) which drives each of the plurality of heat source units using the output.