Load Control Apparatus for Surplus Power Utilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The inefficiency in utilizing surplus electric power generated by power generators like solar cells, as it often runs out before completing processes in load devices, leading to worsened utilization and potential financial losses for consumers due to reliance on commercial power systems at higher unit prices.

Innovation Solution

A load control apparatus and system that determines whether a process can be executed using surplus electric power within a target period, predicting energy availability and controlling operations to ensure processes are completed using generated power, thereby preventing interruptions and reducing energy purchases from commercial systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the hot water supply device starts boiling hot water using surplus electric power, then the surplus electric power is utilized, but if the surplus electric power runs out before completion, the process is interrupted and repeatedly starts and finishes, worsening the utilization efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveutilization efficiency of surplus electric powerVSAvoidcompletion of boiling process

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device determines in advance whether sufficient surplus electric power is available to complete the entire boiling process before starting the process. This preliminary assessment prevents starting a process that cannot be completed, thereby avoiding interruptions and improving utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors the surplus electric power availability during the boiling process and can adjust or terminate the process based on real-time power availability feedback, ensuring reliable completion or preventing wasteful partial execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the hot water supply device receives electric power supply from commercial power system to continue the process when surplus electric power runs out, then the process can be completed, but the consumer is forced to purchase electric power during daytime when unit price is expensive, causing financial loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompletion of boiling processVSAvoidfinancial loss from expensive power purchasing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control device calculates and determines in advance whether the predicted surplus electric power in the target period is sufficient to complete the boiling process. This preliminary determination prevents situations where the process would need to be continued using expensive commercial power, thereby avoiding financial losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own generated surplus electric power to complete the boiling process when possible, rather than relying on external commercial power supply. This self-service approach reduces dependency on expensive grid power and minimizes financial loss for the consumer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If the same boiling process is completed at one time using sufficient surplus electric power, then the utilization efficiency is improved, but this requires predicting and ensuring sufficient power availability throughout the process duration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveutilization efficiency of surplus electric powerVSAvoidcontrol mechanism for process management

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors surplus electric power availability and compares it with the power required to complete the boiling process. This feedback loop enables the system to make informed decisions about starting and continuing processes, achieving efficient one-time completion while managing control complexity through systematic monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control device automatically manages the boiling process by itself, using its own monitoring and control capabilities to determine when to start and continue processes based on available surplus power. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex external control systems while achieving efficient power utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10116142B2Load control apparatus, program, method, and system

Publication Date: 2018.10.30 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A load control apparatus receives information regarding the consumed electric power in load devices and the generated electric power by a power generator. The apparatus includes a control unit, which controls a device based on the received information. A determination unit determines whether the device can execute a predetermined process with surplus electric power in target period from the present until a predetermined period of time elapses. An execution unit controls the device such that when it is determined that the abovementioned process can be executed, a control signal is provided to cause the process to start.