Power Control System Using Relative Device Priorities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power control systems for communities struggle to effectively manage power reduction across homes and businesses due to differing device priority settings, leading to inconsistent control and inefficient community-wide power management.
Innovation Solution
A power management apparatus and power monitoring control apparatus that determine and transmit control commands based on total power consumption targets, contribution degrees, and device priorities, enabling precise control of power usage across segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual homes set device priorities independently on a scale of 1 to 100, then each home can control power according to its own preferences, but the collective control across homes becomes inconsistent because different homes use different reference points for priority values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the priority parameter from absolute values (1-100 scale) to relative rankings (1st, 2nd, 3rd priority). This parameter change allows each home to maintain flexible device prioritization while ensuring consistent interpretation across all homes in the community, resolving the contradiction between individual adaptability and collective stability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having each home independently interpret priority values on an absolute scale, the system inverts the approach by using relative ranking where the meaning of priority is defined by its position relative to other devices within the same home. This inversion ensures that priority values are consistently understood across different homes without requiring standardized absolute thresholds
2Productivity
If the system controls power reduction for the entire community, then community-wide power targets can be achieved, but individual home situations and preferences may be overlooked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power control system into two levels: individual home level where devices are prioritized according to home-specific preferences, and community level where overall power reduction targets are set. This segmentation allows both individual adaptability and collective productivity to coexist by operating at different hierarchical levels
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where individual home priority settings and power consumption data are aggregated to inform community-wide control decisions. This feedback loop ensures that community-level power reduction strategies are grounded in actual individual home situations and preferences, maintaining adaptability while achieving collective goals
Data Source
AI summary
A power control system with a power management apparatus and a power monitoring control apparatus for each control segment. The power monitoring control apparatus is provided with: a contribution degree setting unit setting the degree of contribution of each control segment; a device control unit controlling the power consumption of each power using device connected; a priority control unit setting a priority for reducing the power of the power using device; and a device monitoring unit obtaining the priority of each power using device and transmitting the obtained priority to the power management apparatus. The power management apparatus is provided with an optimum control calculation unit determining a control command for controlling each power using device connected. The control command is determined based on: a target value of the total power consumption of all the control segments; the degree of contribution; and the priority of each power using device.