State estimation apparatus, method, and program storage medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing freezer showcases installed in stores require modification or additional sensors to determine filter cleaning times, making it difficult to implement filter cleaning notification systems without altering the existing infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A state estimation apparatus that acquires time-series power data from freezer showcases, evaluates differences in power usage during normal and intermittent operations to determine filter clogging, and outputs a notification for necessary cleaning, without requiring additional sensors or modifications to the existing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional sensors or modifications are installed on existing freezer showcases to detect filter clogging, then filter cleaning notification capability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The freezer showcase uses its own existing power consumption data to detect filter clogging, without requiring external sensors or additional measurement devices. The system monitors itself by analyzing changes in its power consumption pattern during intermittent operation, making the detection system self-sufficient and avoiding added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical sensor-based detection systems with an electrical/data-based analysis system. Instead of using mechanical or physical sensors to detect filter clogging, the system uses power consumption data analysis to infer the clogging state, substituting a complex physical measurement system with a simpler data processing approach.
2Measurement precision
If environmental sensors are added to monitor installation conditions, then detection accuracy is improved, but ease of operation and installation ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the freezer showcase's own operational data (power consumption during intermittent operation) to detect filter clogging, eliminating the need for separate environmental sensors. This self-service approach maintains high detection accuracy while keeping the system easy to install and operate, as no additional sensing infrastructure is required.
3Reliability
If existing freezer showcases are modified to include filter cleaning notification systems, then filter maintenance effectiveness is improved, but ease of manufacture and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing power management system serve multiple functions: it continues to manage the freezer's power consumption while simultaneously detecting filter clogging and providing maintenance notifications. This multi-functionality allows the system to be applied universally to existing freezer showcases without modification, enhancing both reliability and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A state estimation apparatus comprises a power information acquisition part that acquires time-series data of a power value of a freezer showcase; a power information storage part that stores power information during an intermittent operation of the freezer showcase in a normal state; an evaluation part that evaluates power information during the intermittent operation of the freezer showcase from the time-series data of the power value and derives a degree of difference from the power information during the intermittent operation of the freezer showcase in a normal state; a filter cleaning determination part that estimates how clogged a filter of the freezer showcase is based on the degree of difference and determines whether or not the filter needs to be cleaned; and an output part that provides, for a determination result indicating that the cleaning of the filter is necessary, an output to that effect.