Energy Control Device Managing Consumption Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy control systems face challenges in maintaining constant energy consumption after adjustments, leading to sudden increases that disrupt power supply and demand balance, prompting penalties or incentives.

Innovation Solution

An energy control device with a first adjustment control during a prescribed period to respond to events like demand requests and a second adjustment control post-adjustment to prevent sudden increases in energy consumption, using a communication device and energy consumption determining device to set upper limits and manage mechanical equipment operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the capacity of mechanical equipment is limited to adjust energy consumption during a prescribed period, then energy consumption is reduced during the adjustment period, but energy consumption suddenly increases immediately after the adjustment period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumption during adjustment periodVSAvoidenergy consumption stability after adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by storing operational data and calculating reference values before the adjustment period ends. The second control unit is prepared in advance to execute post-adjustment control that limits energy consumption based on pre-calculated reference values, preventing sudden increases in energy consumption after the adjustment period

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring energy consumption data, comparing it against reference values calculated from historical data, and adjusting control strategies accordingly. The second control unit uses feedback from the adjustment period performance to determine appropriate post-adjustment control parameters that prevent energy consumption spikes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the capacity of mechanical equipment is limited to respond to demand adjustment requests, then compliance with power company requirements is achieved, but amenity restoration is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance with energy management requirementsVSAvoidamenity restoration speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by implementing two distinct control modes that switch based on the operational phase: first adjustment control during the prescribed adjustment period and second adjustment control after the adjustment period. This dynamic switching enables the system to comply with power company requirements during adjustment while rapidly restoring amenities afterward through the second control unit's amenity restoration operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2804279B1Energy control device, and energy control system provided with energy control device
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2804279B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2804279B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2804279B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide an energy control device that can be used to adjust an amount of energy consumption in accordance with a demand adjustment request and subsequently restore an amenity at a property in a manner so that the amount of energy consumption does not suddenly increase after adjustment of the amount of energy consumption, and to provide an energy control system equipped with the energy control device. An energy control device is used for adjusting an amount of energy consumption of a plurality of pieces of mechanical equipment placed at a property, and comprises a first control unit and a second control unit. The first control unit executes during a prescribed adjustment period a first adjustment control for adjusting the amount of energy consumed by the mechanical equipment in order to respond to a prescribed event. The second control unit executes a second adjustment control separate from the first adjustment control during a non-adjustment period T2 after the adjustment period T1.