Power Management Device Token Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems often limit power usage at the end of a specific time period, leading to inconvenience for users as appliances may not be usable or are interrupted partway through use, due to the allocation of power being tied to specific time units.
Innovation Solution
A power management system that gradually increases a power-equivalent value and allocates it to appliances as needed, avoiding the limitations of specific time units by using tokens that can be requested and managed within a range to prevent exceeding a predetermined limit, allowing continuous use without interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a target value is set for power consumption in a specific time period, then power consumption can be controlled to achieve the target value, but power usage is limited at the end of the specific time period causing inconvenience to users
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by accumulating power-equivalent values (tokens) in advance during periods when power consumption is low. These accumulated tokens are then available for allocation when power consuming appliances are requested, ensuring continuous operation without interruption at period boundaries. This resolves the contradiction by preparing power allocation capacity beforehand, allowing both target value control and uninterrupted appliance usage.
2Productivity
If target values are set for each appliance to distribute power consumption, then power distribution can be rationalized, but the total allocation is fixed causing limitations at period boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic power allocation by replacing fixed target values with a dynamic token accumulation and allocation mechanism. The power-equivalent value (token) accumulates gradually over time based on actual consumption patterns, and the allocation amount is dynamically adjusted according to real-time requests from appliances. This maintains efficient power distribution while providing flexibility to adapt to varying user needs without being constrained by fixed period boundaries.
3Loss of energy
If power consumption is monitored and controlled by period, then energy savings can be achieved, but appliances may be interrupted partway through use causing user stress
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining a continuous accumulation of power-equivalent values (tokens) that can be allocated to appliances at any time. When an appliance is in use, the system continuously allocates tokens to maintain operation, preventing interruptions even at period boundaries. This achieves energy savings through controlled allocation while ensuring reliable continuous operation of appliances, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and operational reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power management device includes a processor that executes a procedure. The procedure includes: gradually increasing a power-equivalent value that is equivalent to an amount of permitted power consumption by a plurality of power consuming appliances and that is accumulated in a management accumulation section; and according to requests from each of the plurality of power consuming appliances, allocating the power-equivalent value accumulated in the management accumulation section to each of the plurality of power consuming appliances within a range such that the power-equivalent value does not become a predetermined limit value or lower.