JP2004309051A - Energy saving control device and energy saving control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of causing a situation which results in no energy saving without using an energy-saving function due to discomfort given to a family who feels too short if the time set to an off-timer switched off is uniformly set. <P>SOLUTION: This energy saving control device is provided with a human sensor, a control means for outputting a control signal of an electric apparatus based on the output from the human sensor, and a timer counter controlled by the control means and changeable in the set value for timer counting. In the case of determining the nonpresence of a person based on the output signal of the human sensor, the timer counter is started, and when the timer value reaches a preset prescribed value, the electric apparatus is changed into a stop state or an energy saving set state based on the control signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control method and apparatus for detecting presence or absence of a user by a human sensor and realizing energy-saving control of an electric device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, interest in environmental issues such as prevention of global warming and suppression of CO ₂ increase has been increasing, but energy consumption is still increasing. In particular, household energy consumption is increasing at a greater rate than industrial energy consumption, and the importance of energy saving is being recognized. However, the energy saving of the power consumption of an electric device alone has almost reached its limit, and new developments such as energy saving as a system will be required in the future.
[0003]
Therefore, conventionally, there has been an example in which energy saving control is performed by an energy saving control device provided between a target electric device and a commercial power supply. One example is shown in FIG. The energy-saving control device 1 is mounted between the electric device 2 and the commercial power supply 3. When the presence sensor 7 detects the absence of a person, the timer counter 8 is started and the presence of the person until the timer reaches a predetermined value. Is not detected, an off signal is transmitted from the infrared output 6 to the infrared receiver 9 of the electric device 2 to turn off the electric device 2. That is, when the user forgets to turn off the electric device and goes to another room, the electric device is automatically turned off, thereby saving energy.
[0004]
However, when the presence is detected during the timer counting, that is, when the user returns, the timer counter 8 is cleared and stopped, and the electric device continues to be on.
[0005]
Regarding such a conventional technique, there is known an electric appliance that turns off the power supply when a state in which a human body detection sensor does not detect a human body elapses a predetermined time. (For example, Patent Document 1)
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-1-193525 (page 1, FIG. 1)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the energy-saving control by the above-mentioned conventional energy-saving control device is such that the electric device is turned off when the absence of the user is continued for a predetermined time and a predetermined time elapses with the motion sensor. The setting is different depending on whether the user, that is, the life pattern and taste of each household, or the consciousness of the resident is prioritized for energy saving or comfort. If it is set to a constant time uniformly, it may cause discomfort to a home that feels too short, and may not use the energy saving function, resulting in a situation where the energy is not saved. Conversely, in a home that is felt to be sufficiently long, if the off-timer is further shortened and the absence control is performed, the energy saving effect can be further improved.
[0008]
It is estimated that the optimal value of the off-timer changes when the family structure, life pattern, or awareness of energy saving changes, but the off-timer value cannot be changed accordingly.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to realize a function and an apparatus for automatically setting an off-timer to an optimum value in accordance with a living pattern of a consumer.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, an energy saving control device according to the present invention includes a human sensor, a control unit that outputs a control signal of an electric device based on an output from the human sensor, and a timer controlled by the control unit. A timer counter capable of changing a set value to be counted, and when it is determined that no person is present based on the output signal of the human sensor, the timer counter is started, and the timer value is set to a predetermined value set in advance. When reaching, the electric device is changed to a stop state or an energy saving setting state based on the control signal. Further, the energy saving control device of the present invention is provided with a storage means for storing a timer counter value when the state is released after the state is changed to the stop state or the energy saving setting state, and a predetermined value set in advance based on the timer counter value is provided. Is changed.
[0011]
Further, in order to solve the above problem, the energy saving control device according to the present invention has a timer value only when a timer value when the stop state or the energy saving setting state is released is smaller than a second predetermined value set in advance. Is stored in the storage means, and when the timer value when the stop state or the energy saving setting state is released reaches the second predetermined value, the predetermined value is updated.
[0012]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an energy-saving control method, comprising the steps of: starting a timer count based on an output from a human sensor; and setting an electric power when the timer counter value reaches a predetermined value. The method includes a step of changing the device to a stop state or an energy saving setting state, and a step of changing the predetermined value based on a timer counter value at the time when the energy saving setting state is released after the change to this state. Further, the energy saving control device according to the present invention updates the timer counter value in a direction to decrease the predetermined value when the timer counter value reaches a preset second predetermined value before being set to the stop state or the energy saving setting state.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an energy saving control device that performs energy saving control of electric equipment. Reference numeral 2 denotes an electric device to be saved. Reference numeral 3 denotes a commercial power supply input, which is shown here as an example of AC100V. Reference numeral 4 denotes control means for performing energy saving control. Reference numeral 5 denotes an infrared light receiving unit for receiving a remote control operation of the electric device 2 performed by the user. Reference numeral 6 denotes an infrared output unit to the electric device for performing energy saving control of the electric device 2. Reference numeral 7 denotes a human sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a person. Reference numeral 8 denotes a timer counter that measures the absence time. Reference numeral 9 denotes an infrared light receiving unit of the electric device 2. Reference numeral 10 denotes an infrared remote controller for controlling electric devices.
[0014]
The operation of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described. In the present embodiment, the predetermined value is temporarily set to 1 minute and the second predetermined value is temporarily set to 10 minutes in order to facilitate understanding. However, the present invention is not limited to these numerical values.
[0015]
First, when the user goes out of the room without turning off the electric equipment used and detects the absence of the human sensor 7, the control means 4 starts the timer counter 8 to count the timer, and measures the absence time. Start. When the absent time becomes one minute, the control means 4 transmits an off signal from the infrared output unit 6 to the electric device 2 to turn off the electric device. In this way, energy saving when the user forgets to turn off the electric device 2 is achieved.
[0016]
However, the user may not want to turn off the electric device 2 in the absence of about one minute. For example, when the user returns to the room in less than two minutes and wants to continue using the electric device 2, the user turns on the electric device 2 by remote control operation because the electric device 2 is off. Assuming that the value of the timer counter 8 at this time is two minutes, the control means 4 stores the value of two minutes in the storage means 11. Then, the predetermined value is updated with the calculated value obtained from the timer value stored in the storage means 11. Here, for example, if the calculation processing of updating to the latest timer value is performed, the predetermined value is two minutes. Will be updated to
[0017]
Next, another method of updating the predetermined value according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, the predetermined value is updated with the average value of the timer values for the first predetermined number of times. For the sake of simplicity, suppose that the first predetermined number is three times, and that the latest three timer values stored in the storage means 11 are 70 seconds, 120 seconds, and 98 seconds, The updated value is an average value of 70, 120 and 98 of 96 seconds.
[0018]
Further, another method of updating the predetermined value according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, the predetermined value is updated by the latest first predetermined number of times or the maximum value of all the timer values. For the sake of simplicity, suppose that the first predetermined number is three times, and that the latest three timer values stored in the storage means 11 are 70 seconds, 120 seconds, and 98 seconds, The updated value is the maximum value of 70, 120 and 98, which is 120 seconds.
[0019]
When the predetermined value is updated with the maximum value of all the stored timer values, a memory for the first predetermined number of times is not required, and only the maximum value needs to be stored.
[0020]
Further, another method of updating the predetermined value according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, the predetermined value is updated with the average value of the timer values from the larger one to the predetermined number. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the predetermined number is three times and that the timer value for five times is stored in the storage unit 11. Assuming that the stored five timer values are 70 seconds, 68 seconds, 65 seconds, 120 seconds, 64 seconds, and 98 seconds, the updated value of the predetermined value is three timer values 70, which are larger than the five timer values. 120 and 98 are selected and 96 seconds from the average value thereof. In this case, since the timer values up to the predetermined number may be stored, when the new timer value is determined, the new timer value is larger than the minimum timer value already stored in the storing step when the new timer value is determined. They may be replaced. In this way, the memory capacity can be reduced.
[0021]
Further, another method of updating the predetermined value according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, a value obtained by setting the above-described predetermined value is further multiplied by a predetermined ratio. This is the time from when the absence of the value determined to set the predetermined value is detected until the user turns on the electric device again by operating the electric device after the energy-saving control of the electric device. If the calculated values (the average value, the maximum value, and the previous value) are directly set to the predetermined values, there is a high possibility that the energy saving control will be performed contrary to the user's intention. This gives the user discomfort. Therefore, if a margin is obtained by multiplying the calculated value by a predetermined ratio (for example, 1.2), it is less likely that the user will feel uncomfortable.
[0022]
In addition to this method, a method of updating the predetermined value by further processing the value obtained to set the above-described predetermined value will be described. Here, the predetermined step width is further added, and instead of multiplying by a predetermined ratio, the predetermined step width is added, and the gist is the same.
[0023]
In the embodiment described above, the timer value is stored in the storage means only when the timer value reaches the predetermined value and the user turns on the electric device after the power is turned off. When the user returns within a short time, the timer value stored in the storage means does not change, and therefore the predetermined value does not change. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the predetermined value is updated only in the increasing direction. However, for optimal energy-saving control, the predetermined value should be updated in both increasing and decreasing directions, and the method will be described below.
[0024]
In FIG. 1, when the user goes out of the room without turning off the electric equipment and goes out of the room and the presence sensor 7 detects the absence, the control means 4 starts the timer count of the timer counter 8 and starts measuring the absence time. When the absence time reaches a predetermined value (here, supposed to be one minute), the control unit 4 transmits an off signal from the infrared output unit 6 to the electric device 2 to turn off the electric device. In this way, energy saving when the user forgets to turn off the electric device 2 is achieved. After that, if the user does not return to the room or does not turn on the electric device 2 even after returning, the timer value of the timer counter 8 is set to the second predetermined value (here, 10 minutes). ), The measurement of the absent time by the timer counter 8 is terminated. At the same time, updating is performed to decrease the predetermined value. That is, it is determined that the predetermined value is not at least not too small without violating the user's intention, and conversely, the update for decreasing the predetermined value is performed.
[0025]
As described above, by controlling and increasing / decreasing the predetermined value, the predetermined value can be set to an optimum value suitable for the use situation of the user, and the energy saving effect can be improved.
[0026]
Here, specifically, the predetermined value is updated by multiplying the predetermined value by a predetermined ratio (for example, 0.8). As another setting method of the predetermined value, the predetermined value is updated by subtracting a predetermined interval (for example, 5 seconds) from the predetermined value. Furthermore, if the lower limit of the predetermined value is provided, after the energy-saving control such as turning off the electric device is performed, the user repeatedly turns on the electric device 2 until the timer counter 8 reaches the predetermined value. If not, the lower limit of the predetermined value is prevented from becoming extremely small.
[0027]
Next, the following three patterns will be described with respect to the above-described operation timing and processing contents at that time.
[0028]
First, FIG. 2 shows a timing chart in a case where the processing according to the present invention is not performed. FIG. 2 shows a case where the absence sensor is detected by the motion sensor 7 and the timer counter 8 starts timer counting, but before the timer value reaches a predetermined value, the motion sensor 7 detects the presence of a person again. In this case, the electric device is not turned off, and there is no process related to the present invention.
[0029]
Next, FIG. 3 shows a case where the predetermined value of the timer is updated to be larger. In FIG. 3, the absence of a person is detected by the motion sensor 7, the timer counter 8 starts timer counting, the timer value reaches a predetermined value, the electric device 2 is turned off, and energy saving control is performed. Is the case where the electric device 2 is immediately turned on again. At this time, based on the timer value T1 until the user turns on the electric device 2 again, if a condition is met, a process of increasing the predetermined value is performed.
[0030]
FIG. 4 shows a case where the predetermined value of the timer is updated to a smaller value. The absence sensor is detected by the motion sensor 7 and the timer counter 8 starts counting the timer. After the device 2 is turned off and the energy saving control is performed, the electric device 2 is not turned on again by the user until the timer value of the timer counter 8 reaches the second predetermined value. At this time, a process for decreasing the second predetermined value is performed.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, the power saving has been described as a method of energy saving control of the electric device 2. However, when the electric device 2 is, for example, an air conditioner, the temperature setting is set to the energy saving side as the energy saving control method. A shift method may be used. That is, the temperature setting is increased by several degrees during cooling, and decreased during heating. Then, when the user performs an operation of returning to the original state, the time from the absence detection is measured, and the predetermined value is updated at the time.
[0032]
(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the electric device 2 is controlled by a remote controller or infrared rays. However, the electric device 2 may be controlled by a switch element such as a relay. In this embodiment, such an example will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 13 denotes a switch operated by the user, which is a type which is turned on only when operated. Reference numeral 14 denotes a relay, which performs on / off control from the control unit 4. Further, reference numeral 12 denotes a CT which measures the input current of the electric device 2 to detect that the electric device 2 has been turned on by the control means 4. In order to detect that the electric device 2 is turned on, two switches independent of the switch 13 may be used to input one contact to the control means.
[0033]
In the first embodiment, the example in which the user turns on the electric device 2 with the remote controller has been described, but in this embodiment, the switch 13 is turned on instead. Then, the control means 11 detects the input current of the electric device 2 to detect that the electric device 2 is turned on, turns on the relay 14, and keeps the on state even when the user releases the switch 13. The electric device 2 can be turned off for energy saving control by turning off the switch 14 by the control means.
Note that the other operation contents are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the duplicated description will be omitted.
[0034]
In Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention described above, an example in which the energy saving control device is provided separately from the electric device 2 has been described. However, if the control method is the same, the energy saving control device may be incorporated in the electric device. . Rather, the control means and the storage means can be shared with those of the electric device, which is advantageous in cost.
[0035]
Further, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, in the energy saving control for turning off the electric device by the timer control when the user is absent, when the user immediately turns on the electric device again after the absence of the electric device control, the timer is stopped. Is updated to be longer, so that the absence control time can be automatically adjusted to the personal preference of the user.
[0036]
Also, as the method of updating the timer, the average value of the time from when the absence is detected until the user operates the electric device again is used, so that the timer can be updated with the average time.
[0037]
Also, as the method of updating the timer, the maximum value of the time until the user re-operates the electric device after the absence is detected is used. Therefore, the electric device is turned off by the energy saving control against the user's intention thereafter. Opportunities are reduced. In addition, since the arithmetic processing is easy and only the maximum value needs to be stored in the memory, the memory capacity is small.
[0038]
In addition, as a method of updating the timer, the average value of the timer values from the larger one to the predetermined number of the time from when the absence is detected until the user re-operates the electric device is used. On the other hand, the chances of turning off the electric device by the energy saving control are reduced, and the average value is more average than when the maximum value is selected.
[0039]
In addition, as a method of updating the timer, a value obtained by multiplying a value obtained by calculation from the time until the user re-operates the electric device after the absence is detected by a predetermined ratio is used. On the contrary, the chances of turning off the electric device by the energy saving control are reduced.
[0040]
In addition, as a method of updating the timer, if there is no period during which the electric device is operated again after the energy-saving control is performed after the absence is detected, the time until the electric device is energy-saving controlled after the absence is detected is shortened. As a result, it is possible to shorten the on-time of the electric device in the absence of the electric device, thereby achieving a more energy-saving effect.
[0041]
In addition, as a method of updating the timer, when there is no period in which the electric device may be re-operated after the absence detection is performed after the energy saving control, the time until the electric device is energy saving controlled after the absence detection is multiplied by a predetermined ratio. Since the time is shortened, it is possible to shorten the on-time of the electric device in the absence of the device, thereby achieving a more energy-saving effect.
[0042]
In addition, as a method of updating the timer, if there is no period during which the electric device is re-operated after the energy-saving control is performed after the absence is detected, the time until the electric device is energy-saving controlled after the absence is detected and the step width is subtracted. , It is possible to shorten the on-time of the electric device in the absence of the electric device, thereby achieving a more energy-saving effect. In addition, the calculation is simplified.
Further, since the lower limit is set for the predetermined value, it is possible to prevent the predetermined value from becoming extremely small. In particular, when the step size is subtracted, the value can be reduced from 0 to minus, but this can be prevented.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, when the user forgets to turn off the electric device, the time for automatically turning off the power is automatically set to the optimum value without violating the user's will. It has the effect of saving energy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an energy saving control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a first diagram showing a processing flow in the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a second diagram showing a processing flow in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a third diagram showing a processing flow in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an energy saving control device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the overall configuration. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a conventional energy saving control device.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Energy-saving control apparatus 2 Electric equipment 4 Control means 7 Human sensor 8 Timer counter 11 Storage means

Claims (14)

A human sensor, a control unit that outputs a control signal of an electric device based on an output from the human sensor, and a timer counter that is controlled by the control unit and that can change a set value for timer counting. When it is determined that no person is present based on the output signal of the feeling sensor, the timer counter is started, and when the timer value reaches a predetermined value set in advance, the electric device is stopped based on the control signal. Or an energy saving control device that changes to the energy saving setting state. A storage means for storing a timer counter value when the state is canceled after the state is changed to the stop state or the energy saving setting state, and a predetermined timer value set in advance is changed based on the timer counter value. Energy saving control device as described. 3. The energy saving control device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined timer value is changed by an average value of all or a predetermined number of timer counter values stored in the storage unit. 3. The energy saving control device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit changes the predetermined timer value with all of the timer counter values stored in the storage unit or a maximum value for a predetermined number of times. 3. The energy saving control device according to claim 2, wherein the control means changes the predetermined timer value with an average value of the timer values from the larger one to the predetermined number stored in the storage means. The energy saving control device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit changes the predetermined timer value by a value obtained by multiplying a value obtained as a predetermined timer value by a predetermined ratio. 6. The energy saving control device according to claim 3, wherein the control means changes the predetermined timer value by a value obtained by adding a predetermined step width to a value obtained as a predetermined timer value. 8. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit stores the timer value in the storage unit only when the timer value when the stop state or the energy saving setting state is released is smaller than a second predetermined value set in advance. An energy-saving control device according to any one of the above. 9. The energy saving control device according to claim 8, wherein the control means updates the predetermined value when the timer value when the stop state or the energy saving setting state is released reaches a second predetermined value set in advance. The energy saving control device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit updates the predetermined value with a value obtained by multiplying a predetermined value by a predetermined ratio. The energy saving control device according to claim 9, wherein the control means updates the predetermined value with a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined step size from a predetermined value. The energy saving control device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit sets a predetermined lower limit to the predetermined value. Starting a timer count based on the output from the human sensor; changing the electric device to a stop state or an energy saving setting state when the timer counter value reaches a predetermined value set in advance; and changing to this state. Changing the predetermined value based on a timer counter value when the energy saving setting state is released. 14. The energy-saving control method according to claim 13, wherein the timer counter value is updated in a direction to decrease the predetermined value when the timer counter value reaches a second predetermined value before being set to the stop state or the energy-saving setting state.

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