WO2024161653A1 - Portable emergency power supply device, portable emergency power supply method, and portable emergency power supply program - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable emergency power supply device of one embodiment which can supply power to a facility when a commercial power supply breaks down comprises a portable power supply for supplying the power to the facility and a safety device connected to the portable power supply. The safety device comprises a power restoration detection unit that detects whether the commercial power supply has been restored or not and a power interrupt unit that disconnects the portable power supply from the facility when detected that the commercial power supply has restored.

Description

Portable emergency power supply device, portable emergency power supply method, and portable emergency power supply program

This invention relates to a portable emergency power supply device, a portable emergency power supply method, and a portable emergency power supply program.

If a power plant is damaged by a disaster such as an earthquake or typhoon, and the general commercial power supply is cut off, electrical appliances and other items cannot be used. For example, the facility manager will prepare an emergency power supply (such as a storage battery or generator) and build equipment (switching equipment) to respond to uninterrupted power supply before a power outage occurs due to a disaster, etc. Then, when a power outage occurs, they will switch to the emergency power supply, and when the power is restored, they will switch back from the emergency power supply to the general commercial power supply.

For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses an overview of emergency power sources in a typical facility.

"Emergency power supply", Internet <URL: https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/data/open/cnt/3/74422/1/kakuron_3.pdf?20220325190634> "Generator automatic operation panel", Internet <URL: https://www.aktio.co.jp/products/model/s/20112/> "Connecting a portable generator to a distribution board (crossover switch)", Internet <URL: https://lawtray.blog.ss-blog.jp/2019-05-22-01>

For example, before a power outage occurs due to a disaster, the administrator must set up and prepare equipment to deal with power outages. However, in general buildings and other facilities, construction and maintenance costs are involved, making it difficult to install equipment within the facility that is not normally used. In addition, if an emergency power source is set up as part of a facility, it is difficult to use the emergency power source in other facilities.

This invention was made in response to the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide emergency power supply technology that does not require the construction of equipment at facilities before a disaster occurs and can be used at multiple facilities.

In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a portable emergency power supply device capable of supplying power to a facility when the commercial power source fails, comprising a portable power source for supplying power to the facility and a safety device connected to the portable power source, the safety device comprising a power restoration detection unit for detecting whether the commercial power source has been restored, and a power cutoff unit for disconnecting the portable power source from the facility when it is detected that the commercial power source has been restored.

According to one aspect of the present invention, by using a portable power source, it is not necessary to construct equipment at a facility before a power outage occurs due to a disaster or the like. This reduces the cost of constructing equipment at a facility and the maintenance cost after the equipment is constructed. Furthermore, by using a portable power source, it becomes possible to supply power not only to one facility, but to facilities in any location, i.e., to multiple facilities.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a power supply system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a method of supplying power to a facility during a power outage and after power is restored. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the safety device and the portable power source 3 in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the safety device in the first embodiment in association with the hardware configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for safely disconnecting a portable power source that has been supplying power to a facility during a power outage from the facility when power is restored. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the safety device in the second embodiment in relation to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for safely disconnecting a portable power source that has been supplying power to a facility during a power outage from the facility when power is restored.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, elements that are the same or similar to elements already described will be given the same or similar reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will generally be omitted. For example, when there are multiple identical or similar elements, a common reference numeral may be used to describe each element without distinguishing between them, and a subnumber may be used in addition to the common reference numeral to describe each element with distinction between them.

[First embodiment]
In the first embodiment, an embodiment will be described in which, when a power outage occurs in the commercial power supply due to a disaster or the like, power is supplied to a facility from a portable power source via a safety device.

(composition)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a power supply system according to a first embodiment.

The power supply system in FIG. 1 includes a commercial power source 1, a facility 2, and a portable emergency power supply device 5. The portable emergency power supply device 5 also includes a portable power source 3 and a safety device 4.

Commercial power source 1 is operated by a local power company or the like, and supplies commercial power to facility 2.

The facility 2 is a general building, commercial facility, apartment building, house, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the facility 2 is equipped with electrical appliances including elevators, automatic doors, air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, etc. Normally, these are supplied with commercial power from the commercial power source 1 via a distribution board 21.

The portable power source 3 included in the portable emergency power supply device 5 is a power source that can be carried (moved) by the manager who manages the portable power source 3. For example, the portable power source 3 is a portable battery, an electric vehicle, a power source vehicle, etc. The portable power source 3 supplies power (emergency power) to the facility 2 via a safety device 4 and an insertion plug 48 described below when commercial power from the commercial power source 1 is not supplied to the facility 2, i.e., during a power outage.

The safety device 4 included in the portable emergency power supply device 5 is a device that cuts off the power supplied by the portable power source 3 to the facility 2 when the commercial power source 1 is restored, and safely disconnects the portable power source 3 from the commercial power source 1.

The safety device 4 is also connected to the portable power source 3 as described above, and by inserting the plug 48 into a general wiring socket (hereinafter referred to as a socket for simplicity) located in the facility 2, it is possible to supply power from the portable power source 3 to electrical appliances in the facility 2. For this reason, the safety device 4 is equipped with a DC/AC inverter. In other words, the safety device 4 is capable of converting the DC voltage (e.g., 12 V or 24 V) of the portable power source 3 into the general AC voltage (e.g., 100 V) of the commercial power source 1.

The safety device 4 may be disposed within the portable power source 3. In other words, the portable power source 3 may perform the operations performed by the safety device 4, which will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a method of supplying power to the facility 2 during a power outage and after power is restored.
2 , when a power outage occurs due to a disaster or the like, power from the commercial power source 1 is cut off. At this time, the portable power source 3 supplies power to electrical appliances in the facility 2 via a safety device 4 and an outlet. Then, when power is restored, the safety device 4 detects the restoration of power and cuts off the power supply from the portable power source 3 to the facility 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the safety device 4 and the portable power source 3 in the embodiment.
3, the safety device 4 includes a control unit 41, a program storage unit 42, a data storage unit 43, a communication interface 44, an input/output interface 45, an input device 46, and an output device 47. The control unit 41, the program storage unit 42, the data storage unit 43, the communication interface 44, and the input/output interface 45 are communicatively connected to one another via a bus. The input/output interface 45 is communicatively connected to the input device 46 and the output device 47. Furthermore, the input/output interface 45 is connected to the portable power source 3 and an attachment plug 48.

The control unit 41 controls the safety device 4. The control unit 41 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). For example, the control unit 41 may be an integrated circuit capable of executing various programs.

The program memory unit 42 can use, as a storage medium, a combination of non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive), and non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory). The program memory unit 42 stores programs necessary to execute various processes. In other words, the control unit 41 can realize various controls and operations by reading and executing the programs stored in the program memory unit 42.

The data storage unit 43 is a storage medium that combines non-volatile memory, such as a HDD or memory card, which can be written to and read from at any time, with volatile memory, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The data storage unit 43 is used to store data acquired and generated in the process of the control unit 41 executing programs and performing various processes.

The communication interface 44 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 44 includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to other devices via a network. In other words, the communication interface 44 may be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate with other devices under the control of the control unit 41 and send and receive various information.

The safety device 4 does not need to have a communication interface 44. For example, if the safety device 4 does not need to communicate with other devices, it does not need to have a communication interface 44.

The input/output interface 45 is connected to the portable power source 3 and the plug 48. The input/output interface 45 is an interface for supplying power from the portable power source 3 to the facility 2 via the plug 48. For this reason, the input/output interface 45 is equipped with various devices (DC/AC inverter, rectifier, etc.) capable of converting DC power supplied from the portable power source 3 into AC power that can be supplied to the facility 2. The device in question may be any general device capable of converting DC power into AC power used by the facility 2, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The input/output interface 45 is also connected to the input device 46, the output device 47, etc. The input/output interface 45 is also an interface that enables the transmission and reception of information between the input device 46 and the output device 47, etc. The input/output interface 45 may also be integrated with the communication interface 44. For example, the safety device 4 may be wirelessly connected to at least one of the input device 46 and the output device 47, etc. using short-range wireless technology, etc., and may transmit and receive information using the short-range wireless technology.

The input device 46 includes, for example, a keyboard or a pointing device for the administrator of the safety device 4 to input various information. The input device 46 may also include a reader for reading data to be stored in the program storage unit 42 or the data storage unit 43 from a memory medium such as a USB memory, or a disk device for reading such data from a disk medium.

The output device 47 includes a display that displays the output data to be presented from the safety device 4 to the administrator, a speaker to inform the administrator of the status of the safety device 4 by voice, etc.

The attachment plug 48 is a plug that can be inserted into a power outlet in the facility 2. The attachment plug 48 may be a general plug that can be inserted into a power outlet in the facility 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the safety device 4 in the first embodiment in association with the hardware configuration shown in FIG.
The control unit 41 includes a connection detection unit 411 , a power restoration detection unit 412 , a power cutoff control unit 413 , and an output control unit 414 .

The connection detection unit 411 detects whether the attachment plug 48 is inserted into an outlet (hardware socket connector). For example, the connection detection unit 411 detects whether the attachment plug 48 is inserted into an outlet in the facility 2 by detecting the power flowing through the input/output interface 45.

The power restoration detection unit 412 detects whether the commercial power source 1 has resumed supplying commercial power, i.e., whether power has been restored. Details of the method for detecting power restoration will be described later.

The power cutoff control unit 413 cuts off the power (emergency power) being supplied from the portable power source 3 to the electrical appliances in the facility 2. For example, when the power restoration detection unit 412 detects that commercial power has been restored, the power cutoff control unit 413 cuts off the power being supplied from the portable power source 3 to the electrical appliances in the facility 2 by disconnecting the portable power source 3 from the facility 2.

The output control unit 414 outputs shutoff information, etc. For example, the output control unit 414 may use the display or audio of the output device 47 to inform the manager that the portable power source 3 has been disconnected from the facility 2 due to power restoration. The output control unit 414 may also notify the manager of the state of the safety device 4 as necessary. For example, the output control unit 414 may notify the manager that the portable power source 3 has started supplying power to electrical appliances in the facility 2 when the plug 48 is connected to an outlet.

(Operation)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for safely disconnecting the portable power source 3 that has been supplying power to the facility 2 during a power outage from the facility 2 when power is restored.
The control unit 41 of the safety device 4 reads out and executes the program stored in the program storage unit 42, thereby realizing the operation of this flowchart.

First, assume that a power outage has occurred due to a disaster or other reason, and power from commercial power source 1 is not reaching facility 2.

The operation begins when the person in charge of the safety device 4 attempts to insert the plug 48 into the outlet (hardware socket) of the facility 2.

In step ST101, the connection detection unit 411 detects whether the attachment plug 48 has been inserted into the outlet. The connection detection unit 411 detects whether the administrator has inserted the attachment plug 48 into the outlet of facility 2 during a power outage. For example, the connection detection unit 411 detects whether the attachment plug 48 has been inserted into the outlet of facility 2 by detecting the power flowing through the input/output interface 45. If the attachment plug 48 is not inserted, the process returns to step ST101. That is, the process of step ST101 is repeated until the attachment plug 48 is inserted into the outlet. On the other hand, if it is detected that the attachment plug 48 has been inserted into the outlet, the process proceeds to step ST102.

When the attachment plug 48 is inserted into the outlet, power supply from the portable power source 3 to the electrical appliances in the facility 2 begins.

In step ST102, the power restoration detection unit 412 detects whether power has been restored. The power restoration detection unit 412 detects whether the commercial power source 1 has resumed supplying commercial power, i.e., whether power has been restored.

For example, the power restoration detection unit 412 detects whether power has been restored based on a reverse current flow or a change in the phase fluctuation of the power. For example, when the commercial power source 1 starts supplying power, the amount of current flowing to the facility 2 changes significantly, and therefore the amount of power flowing through the safety device 4 changes significantly. The power restoration detection unit 412 detects whether power has been restored based on this change. Alternatively, when the commercial power source 1 starts supplying power, power with a different phase from the power phase supplied from the portable power source 3 is supplied to the facility 2, and the phase of the power flowing to the safety device 4 changes. The power restoration detection unit 412 detects whether power has been restored based on this change in phase.

If power restoration is not detected, the process returns to step ST102. In other words, the process of step ST102 is repeated. On the other hand, if power restoration is detected, the power restoration detection unit 412 outputs a signal indicating that power has been restored to the power cutoff control unit 413. Then, the process proceeds to step ST103.

In step ST103, the power cutoff control unit 413 cuts off the power supplied from the portable power source 3. If it is detected in step ST102 that commercial power is being supplied from the commercial power source 1, i.e., that power has been restored, the power cutoff control unit 413 cuts off the power being supplied from the portable power source 3 to the electrical appliances in the facility 2. Then, the power cutoff control unit 413 outputs a signal indicating that the portable power source 3 has been disconnected from the facility 2 to the output control unit 414.

When the safety device 4 detects that power from the commercial power source 1 has been restored, it disconnects the portable power source 3 from the facility 2. This makes it possible for the safety device 4 to prevent a backflow of power from the commercial power source into the portable power source 3 when the commercial power source is restored, and prevents the occurrence of a fire that could occur in the portable power source 3 due to a backflow. This prevents power restoration disasters and enables a simple and safe supply of power in emergencies such as disasters.

In step ST104, the output control unit 414 outputs the disconnection information. For example, the display or audio of the output device 47 is used to inform the manager that the portable power source 3 has been disconnected from the facility 2 due to power restoration. This will cause the manager to unplug the plug 48 from the outlet of the facility 2.

(Effects of the First Embodiment)
According to the first embodiment, by using the portable power source 3, it is not necessary to construct equipment in the facility 2 before a power outage occurs due to a disaster or the like. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of constructing the equipment in the facility 2 and the maintenance cost after the equipment is constructed.

Furthermore, by using the portable power source 3, it is possible to supply power not only to one facility 2 but to facilities 2 in any location, i.e., to multiple facilities 2.

Furthermore, power is supplied from the portable power source 3 to the facility 2 via the safety device 4. When the safety device 4 detects that the power supply from the commercial power source 1 has been restored, i.e., that power has been restored, it disconnects the portable power source 3 from the facility 2. This makes it possible to prevent power restoration disasters.

Second Embodiment
Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment is an embodiment in which, when a power outage occurs in the commercial power source 1, power from the portable power source 3 is provided to the facility 2 via the safety device 4. Here, in the second embodiment, when the portable power source 3 is supplied to the facility 2, a power restoration disaster is prevented by detecting a power abnormality. For example, due to a disaster or the like, an electrical appliance in the facility 2 may be broken or wiring in the facility 2 may be damaged. Therefore, in the second embodiment, when power is supplied from the portable power source 3, the safety device 4 detects an abnormality in the power supplied from the portable power source 3 to the facility 2.

(composition)
The configuration of the power supply system in the second embodiment is the same as that described with reference to Fig. 1 in the first embodiment, so a duplicated description will be omitted here. Also, the hardware configuration of the safety device 4 is the same as that described with reference to Fig. 3 in the first embodiment, so a duplicated description will be omitted here.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the safety device 4 in the second embodiment in relation to the hardware configuration shown in FIG.
The control unit 41 of the safety device 4 differs from that of the first embodiment in that it further includes a power abnormality detection unit 415 .

The power abnormality detection unit 415 detects whether there is an abnormality in the power supplied from the portable power source 3 to the electrical appliances in the facility 2. For example, the power abnormality detection unit 415 monitors the current or voltage supplied from the portable power source 3 to check for any abnormalities.

(Operation)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for safely disconnecting the portable power source 3 that has been supplying power to the facility 2 during a power outage from the facility 2 when power is restored.
The control unit 41 of the safety device 4 reads out and executes the program stored in the program storage unit 42, thereby realizing the operation of this flowchart.

First, assume that a power outage has occurred due to a disaster or other reason, and power from commercial power source 1 is not reaching facility 2.

As in the first embodiment, operation begins when the administrator of the safety device 4 attempts to insert the plug 48 into a socket in the facility 2.

Steps ST201 to ST202 are the same as steps ST101 to ST102 described with reference to FIG. 5, so duplicated explanations will be omitted here.

In step ST203, the power abnormality detection unit 415 detects whether there is an abnormality in the power supplied from the portable power source 3 to the electrical appliances in the facility 2. For example, the power abnormality detection unit 415 monitors the current or voltage supplied from the portable power source 3 to check for abnormalities. For example, if an electrical appliance in the facility 2 is leaking electricity or if the wiring in the facility 2 is damaged, the amount of power supplied from the portable power source 3 will abnormally increase. In such a case, the power abnormality detection unit 415 determines that there is an abnormality. Then, the power abnormality detection unit 415 outputs an abnormality signal to the power cutoff control unit 413. The process then proceeds to step ST204. On the other hand, if no abnormality is detected, the process returns to step ST202.

In step ST204, the power cutoff control unit 413 cuts off the power supplied from the portable power source 3. If it is detected in step ST202 that power is being supplied from the commercial power source 1, i.e., that power has been restored, or if it is detected in step ST203 that a power abnormality has occurred, the power cutoff control unit 413 cuts off the power being supplied from the portable power source 3 to the electrical appliances in the facility 2. Then, the power cutoff control unit 413 outputs a signal indicating that the portable power source 3 has been disconnected from the facility 2 to the output control unit 414.

If the safety device 4 detects a power abnormality while supplying power from the portable power source 3, it will disconnect the portable power source 3 from the facility 2. This prevents power restoration disasters and enables simple and safe power supply in emergencies such as disasters.

In step ST205, the output control unit 414 outputs the disconnection information. For example, the display or audio of the output device 47 is used to inform the manager that the portable power source 3 has been disconnected from the facility 2 due to the restoration of power or a power abnormality. For example, the output control unit 414 displays on the display of the output device 47 that the portable power source 3 has been disconnected from the facility 2 due to the restoration of power or the detection of a power abnormality. This causes the manager to unplug the plug 48 from the outlet of the facility 2. Furthermore, if a power abnormality is detected, the manager may check whether a power restoration fire has occurred within the facility 2.

(Effects of the Second Embodiment)
According to the second embodiment, by using the portable power source 3, it becomes unnecessary to construct equipment in the facility 2 before a power outage occurs due to a disaster or the like. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of constructing the equipment in the facility 2 and the maintenance cost after the equipment is constructed.

Furthermore, by using the portable power source 3, it becomes possible to supply power to facilities 2 in any location, rather than just one facility 2.

Furthermore, when the safety device 4 detects a power abnormality, the safety device 4 disconnects the portable power source 3 from the facility 2. This makes it possible to prevent a power restoration disaster.

[Other embodiments]
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the portable power source 3 supplies power to one facility 2, but this is not limited thereto, and the portable power source 3 may supply power to a plurality of facilities 2.

The method described in the above embodiment can be stored as a program (software means) that can be executed by a calculator (computer) on a storage medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, MO, etc.), semiconductor memory (ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc.), and can also be distributed by transmitting it via a communication medium. The program stored on the medium also includes a setting program that configures the software means (including not only execution programs but also tables and data structures) that the computer executes. The computer that realizes this device reads the program stored in the storage medium, and in some cases, configures the software means using the setting program, and executes the above-mentioned processing by controlling the operation of this software means. Note that the storage medium referred to in this specification is not limited to one for distribution, but also includes storage media such as magnetic disks and semiconductor memories installed inside the computer or in devices connected via a network.

In short, this invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, the various embodiments may be implemented in combination as appropriate as possible, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiment includes inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the multiple constituent elements disclosed.

Reference Signs List 1: Commercial power supply 2: Facility 21: Distribution board 3: Portable power supply 4: Safety device 41: Control unit 411: Connection detection unit 412: Power restoration detection unit 413: Power cutoff control unit 414: Output control unit 415: Power abnormality detection unit 42: Program storage unit 43: Data storage unit 44: Communication interface 45: Input/output interface 46: Input device 47: Output device 48: Plug 5: Portable emergency power supply device

Claims (7)

A portable emergency power supply device capable of supplying power to a facility when a commercial power supply fails,
a portable power source for supplying power to the facility;
a safety device connected to the portable power source;
The safety device comprises:
a power restoration detection unit that detects whether the commercial power source has been restored;
a power cutoff unit that disconnects the portable power source from the facility when it detects that the commercial power source has been restored;
A portable emergency power supply device comprising: The portable emergency power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the portable power source supplies power to electrical appliances in the facility by connecting an attachment plug to a wiring attachment connector in the facility via the safety device. The portable emergency power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the power restoration detection unit detects the restoration of the commercial power source by detecting a reverse flow or a phase fluctuation of the power. The safety device comprises:
The portable emergency power supply device according to claim 1 , further comprising a power abnormality detection unit that detects whether an abnormality has occurred in the power supplied from the portable power source to the facility. The portable emergency power supply device of claim 1, wherein the portable power source supplies power to multiple facilities. A portable emergency power supply method executed by a processor of a portable emergency power supply device capable of supplying power to a facility when a commercial power supply fails, comprising:
Supplying power to the facility from a portable power source included in the portable emergency power supply device;
Detecting whether the commercial power source has been restored;
When it is detected that the commercial power source has been restored, disconnecting the portable power source from the facility;
A portable emergency power supply method comprising: 1. A portable emergency power supply program comprising instructions for execution by a processor of a portable emergency power supply device capable of supplying power to a facility during a commercial power outage, the instructions comprising:
Supplying power to the facility from a portable power source included in the portable emergency power supply device;
Detecting whether the commercial power source has been restored;
When it is detected that the commercial power source has been restored, disconnecting the portable power source from the facility;
A portable emergency power supply program that includes:

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