Patent ID: 12259174

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(Underlying Knowledge Forming Basis of the Present Disclosure)

First, the viewpoint of the inventor will be described below.

Conventionally, for example, in order to maintain the quality of a product (item) such as a perishable food, a showcase for refrigerating or freezing (refrigeration equipment) in which the product is displayed in a refrigerated or frozen state is provided in a store such as a convenience store. In a process for cooling such a refrigeration equipment by a cooling device, moisture in the air may be solidified to form frost on the cooling device, that is, so-called frost formation may occur. When frost is formed on the cooling device, the cooling performance of the cooling device deteriorates and thus the problem of quality degradation of the product may arise.

Therefore, in the conventional way, defrosting control is periodically executed to remove frost on the cooling device. The defrosting control is executed, for example, by stopping the operation of the cooling device to increase the inside temperature of the refrigeration equipment. Furthermore, the defrosting control is executed, for example, by heating with a heater to increase the inside temperature of the refrigeration equipment.

In recent years, there is a growing need for a system that, in response to a power saving request such as a Demand Response (DR), executes power saving control in a time period that is designated by the power saving request, for example. Since power consumption of a refrigeration equipment as above is relatively high, it is considered that the refrigeration equipment may become a target for the power saving control.

However, when the power saving control is executed on the refrigeration equipment simply in response to a power saving request, there is a risk that the refrigeration equipment cannot achieve the original objective of maintaining the quality of the product. On the other hand, it is considered that the defrosting control can be incorporated in the power saving control for the refrigeration equipment.

In view of the above, the inventor has conceived the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the Drawings. However, there are instances where excessively detailed description is omitted. For example, detailed description of well known matter or repeated description of essentially similar elements may be omitted. This is to make the following description easier for those skilled in the art to understand and avoid redundancy.

It should be noted that the inventor provides the accompanying drawings and the following description not to limit the scope of the claims, but to aid those skilled in the art to adequately understand the present disclosure.

Embodiment

1-1. Overall Configuration

First, the overall configuration including defrosting control system100according to an embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.1.FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration including defrosting control system100according to the embodiment. Defrosting control system100is a system for executing defrosting control for refrigeration equipment2that is provided in facility5. In particular, defrosting control system100according to the embodiment is a system for executing, in a case where a power saving request is issued, defrosting control for refrigeration equipment2according to a defrosting schedule taking the power saving request into account.

Here, for example, the power saving request is not a permanent request but a temporary request such as a DR as described above. Furthermore, other than a DR as described above, the power saving request may be a request for peak shaving for suppressing power consumption during a peak time of power demand. Furthermore, the power saving request may be a request for suppressing power consumption during a time when an electricity rate is relatively high based on an electricity rate in the electricity balancing market. For example, the power saving request is transmitted from an external system that is operated by an electric power company or an aggregator or the like in a virtual power plant (VPP).

For example, examples of facility5may include a food store, such as a convenience store or a supermarket. Specifically, facility5is, for example, a store that is provided with refrigeration equipment2for refrigerating or freezing food and so on to maintain the quality of the food and so on. In the embodiment, facility5is assumed to be a food store. It should be noted that facility5is not limited to a store as long as facility5includes refrigeration equipment2.

Refrigeration equipment2is equipment for maintaining the quality of a product (item) such as food by refrigerating or freezing the product, as described above. In the embodiment, refrigeration equipment2is one or more (here, a plurality of) showcases21. One or more products are displayed in each of showcases21.

Refrigeration equipment2is cooled by cooling device3. Cooling device3cools the one or more products displayed in each of showcases21by sending cool air to the inside of each of showcases21. It should be noted that although the plurality of showcases21are cooled by a single cooling device3in the embodiment, they may be cooled by a plurality of cooling devices3. In such a case, each of showcases21is cooled by corresponding one of the plurality of cooling devices3.

1-2. Defrosting Control System

Next, defrosting control system100will be described in detail. As illustrated inFIG.1, defrosting control system100includes obtainer11, setting unit12, outputter13, and storage14. It should be noted that, in the embodiment, defrosting control system100may include at least obtainer11, setting unit12, and outputter13, and defrosting control system100needs not include other constituent elements. For example, storage14can be implemented by a storage device that is separate from defrosting control system100.

In the embodiment, defrosting control system100is implemented by controller10installed in facility5. Controller10is connected to cooling device3by a signal line. Controller10communicates with cooling device3via the signal line. It should be noted that communication between controller10and cooling device3may be wireless communication. Furthermore, in a case where heater4for heating refrigeration equipment2is provided as described later, controller10is connected to heater4by a signal line and communicates with heater4via the signal line. Communication between controller10and heater4may be wireless communication.

Controller10includes a processor and memory and implements various functions by the processor executing a computer program stored in the memory. In the embodiment, the memory is storage14.

Obtainer11obtains schedule information indicating whether power saving is scheduled for a temporary power saving request. For example, obtainer11obtains the schedule information of the current day (hereinafter, referred to as “execution day”) at a predetermined time (at0:00, for example). Here, the schedule information may be reliable information indicating that power saving is or is not going to be requested by a power saving request on the execution day, and may also be prediction information indicating that power saving will or will not be requested by a power saving request on the execution day.

Specifically, obtainer11obtains the schedule information by, for example, receiving information transmitted from an external system that notifies in advance whether power saving is going to be requested by a power saving request on the execution day or predicts whether power saving will be requested by a power saving request on the execution day.

Furthermore, obtainer11may obtain the schedule information by prediction based on the execution history of the past power saving requests. Hereinafter, prediction examples by obtainer11will be described. It should be noted that obtainer11may predict the schedule information using any of a first prediction example to a third prediction example, which are to be described below, or using other method.

In the first prediction example, obtainer11predicts a power saving time period of the execution day scheduled for a power saving request by regarding, as the power saving time period, a typical value of the time periods during each of which power saving was requested by a power saving request within the last few days before the execution day. The typical value is an average value, a median value, a mode value, or the like. Furthermore, in a case where power saving was not requested by a power saving request within the last few days before the execution day, obtainer11predicts that power saving will not be requested by a power saving request on the execution day.

In the second prediction example, in a case where power saving was requested by a power saving request on the day of the last year corresponding to the execution day, obtainer11predicts a power saving time period of the execution day scheduled for a power saving request by regarding, as the power saving time period, the time period during which power saving was requested by the power saving request on the day of the last year corresponding to the execution day. Furthermore, in a case where power saving was not requested by a power saving request on the day of the last year corresponding to the execution day, obtainer11predicts that power saving will not be requested by a power saving request on the execution day.

In the third prediction example, obtainer11obtains the schedule information by prediction using a model that is trained to use, as an input, the execution history of the past power saving requests and to output information indicating whether power saving will be requested by a power saving request on the execution day.

Setting unit12sets a defrosting schedule including execution time period T1and execution interval T2of the defrosting control for refrigeration equipment2, based on the schedule information obtained by obtainer11(seeFIG.3AandFIG.3B). In the embodiment, when the schedule information obtained by obtainer11indicates that power saving is scheduled on the execution day for a power saving request, setting unit12sets a defrosting schedule for a power saving request. On the other hand, when the schedule information obtained by obtainer11indicates that power saving is not scheduled on the execution day for a power saving request, setting unit12sets a normal defrosting schedule that is predetermined.

In the embodiment, execution time period T1of the defrosting control is one hour. Execution time period T1of the defrosting control is not limited to one hour but may be more or less than one hour.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, execution interval T2of the defrosting control is between four hours and six hours, inclusive. The lower-limit value of execution interval T2of the defrosting control is set to a time period that makes it possible to maintain the quality of an item that is a target for cooling in refrigeration equipment2. Furthermore, the upper-limit of execution interval T2of the defrosting control is set to a time period that makes it possible to prevent the cooling performance of refrigeration equipment2from deteriorating due to frost formation. As long as the above-described conditions are satisfied, the lower-limit value and the upper-limit value of execution interval T2of the defrosting control need not be four hours and six hours, respectively.

Setting examples of execution time period T1and execution interval T2of the defrosting control will be described below. It should be noted that setting unit12may set execution time period T1and execution interval T2of the defrosting control using a first setting example or a second setting example, which are to be described below, or using other method. Furthermore, execution time period T1and execution interval T2of the defrosting control may be default values.

In the first setting example, setting unit12sets at least one of execution time period T1or execution interval T2of the defrosting control, based on item information regarding an item that is a target for cooling in refrigeration equipment2. For example, setting unit12stores, in storage14, reference data in which item information is associated with execution time period T1and/or execution interval T2of the defrosting control. Then, when setting unit12obtains item information, setting unit12retrieves, from the reference data, execution time period T1and/or execution interval T2of the defrosting control corresponding to the item information obtained.

The item information may include the type and the number of items put in refrigeration equipment2(showcase21), as an example. Furthermore, the item information may include, as an example, the inside temperature of refrigeration equipment2(showcase21). When the item information is about the type and the number of items, the item information can be obtained by capturing an image of showcase21with an imaging device and then performing appropriate image processing on the captured image, for example. Furthermore, when the item information is about the inside temperature of showcase21, the item information can be obtained by receiving a detection result from a temperature sensor provided in showcase21, for example.

In the second setting example, setting unit12sets at least one of execution time period T1or execution interval T2of the defrosting control, based on environment information regarding the environment in which refrigeration equipment2is placed. For example, setting unit12stores, in storage14, reference data in which environment information is associated with execution time period T1and/or execution interval T2of the defrosting control. Then, when setting unit12obtains environment information, setting unit12retrieves, from the reference data, execution time period T1and/or execution interval T2of the defrosting control corresponding to the environment information obtained.

The environment information may include, as an example, the humidity (relative humidity or absolute humidity) of a space in which refrigeration equipment2is placed, or the season. When the environment information is about the humidity, the environment information can be obtained by receiving a detection result from a humidity sensor provided in the space, for example. Furthermore, when the environment information is about the season, the environment information can be obtained by receiving time information including the current date from a time server or a timer included in controller10, for example.

Hereinafter, the normal defrosting schedule and the defrosting schedule for a power saving request will be described with reference toFIG.3AandFIG.3B, respectively.FIG.3Ais a time chart illustrating an example of the normal defrosting schedule.FIG.3Bis a time chart illustrating an example of the defrosting schedule for a power saving request. In the examples illustrated inFIG.3AandFIG.3B, time periods hatched with dots represent time periods during each of which the defrosting control is executed. Furthermore, in the examples illustrated inFIG.3AandFIG.3B, the defrosting control is control to stop the operation of cooling device3, which is to be described later.

As illustrated inFIG.3A, in the normal defrosting schedule, the defrosting control starts at a predetermined time at which schedule information is obtained. Then, in the normal defrosting schedule, the defrosting control is executed at execution interval T2after the defrosting control that has started at the predetermined time. Specifically, in the normal defrosting schedule illustrated inFIG.3A, the defrosting control is executed from 0:00 to 1:00, from 6:00 to 7:00, from 12:00 to 13:00, and from 18:00 to 19:00, on the execution day.

On the other hand, as illustrated inFIG.3B, in the defrosting schedule for a power saving request, the defrosting control is executed at a predetermined time at which schedule information is obtained. Then, in the defrosting schedule for a power saving request, the defrosting control is executed in power saving time period T3scheduled for power saving request and also executed at execution interval T2before and after power saving time period T3. Specifically, in the defrosting schedule for a power saving request illustrated inFIG.3B, the defrosting control is executed from 0:00 to 1:00, from 8:00 to 9:00, from 14:00 to 15:00 that is a time period corresponding to power saving time period T3, and from 20:00 to 21:00, on the execution day.

Here, examples of creating the defrosting schedule for a power saving request will be described. It should be noted that setting unit12may create the defrosting schedule for a power saving request by using a first creation example or a second creation example, which are to be described below, or using other method.

In the first creation example, setting unit12creates a defrosting schedule using reference data stored in advance in storage14. An example of the reference data is illustrated inFIG.4.FIG.4illustrates an example of the reference data used by defrosting control system100according to the embodiment in the first creation example. InFIG.4, “DR time” represents the start time of power saving time period T3scheduled for a DR (i.e., power saving request). Here, the power saving time period for a DR (power saving request) is one hour from the start time. Furthermore, inFIG.4, “execution time” represents the start time of the defrosting control (i.e., start time of execution time period T1of the defrosting control). Here, execution time period T1of the defrosting control is one hour from the start time of the defrosting control. Furthermore, in the example illustrated inFIG.4, execution interval T2of the defrosting control is six hours. Furthermore, in the example illustrated inFIG.4, the execution time period of the defrosting control (execution time period T1of the defrosting control) is set assuming that the defrosting control is to stop the operation of cooling device3, which is to be described later. Accordingly, when the defrosting control is control for heating by heater4, which is to be described later, the execution time period of the defrosting control is set as a time period except for power saving time period T3scheduled for power saving request, in the reference data.

As illustrated inFIG.4, in the reference data, the start time of power saving time period T3scheduled for a DR is associated with the start time of the defrosting control. For example, obtainer11is assumed to have obtained schedule information indicating that the start time of power saving time period T3scheduled for power saving request is 13:00. In this case, setting unit12creates a defrosting schedule to cause the defrosting control to be executed from 1:00 to 2:00, from 7:00 to 8:00, from 13:00 to 14:00, and from 19:00 to 20:00, on the execution day, by referring to data of “13:00” of the “DR time” in the reference data.

In the second creation example, setting unit12creates a defrosting schedule based on power saving time period T3scheduled for power saving request obtained by obtainer11. Hereinafter, a specific example will be described with reference toFIG.3B. In the example illustrated inFIG.3B, execution time period T1of the defrosting control is set assuming that the defrosting control is to stop the operation of cooling device3, which is to be described later. Accordingly, when the defrosting control is control for heating by heater4, which is to be described later, execution time period T1of the defrosting control is set as a time period except for power saving time period T3scheduled for power saving request.

In the example illustrated inFIG.3B, obtainer11has obtained schedule information indicating that power saving time period T3scheduled for power saving request is from 14:00 to 15:00 on the execution day. Accordingly, setting unit12creates a defrosting schedule to cause execution time period T1of the defrosting control to be set to power saving time period T3and also to be set to a time period from 8:00 to 9:00 and a time period from 20:00 to 21:00 that are time periods before and after execution interval T2with reference to power saving time period T3.

As described above, in the embodiment, setting unit12sets a defrosting schedule according to a mode of the defrosting control. Specifically, when the defrosting control is to stop the operation of cooling device3that cools refrigeration equipment2, setting unit12sets a defrosting schedule to cause the defrosting control to be executed in power saving time period T3. In such a case, since the operation of cooling device3is stopped during execution of the defrosting control, power consumption is reduced compared to when cooling device3is in operation. In other words, power saving control on refrigeration equipment2can be executed in power saving time period T3(seeFIG.3B) by executing the defrosting control in power saving time period T3.

On the other hand, when the defrosting control is control for heating by heater4as illustrated inFIG.2for example, setting unit12sets a defrosting schedule to cause the defrosting control to be executed in a time period except for power saving time period T3.FIG.2is a block diagram illustrating another example of the overall configuration including defrosting control system100according to the embodiment. In such a case, since the operation of cooling device3is stopped but heater4is in operation in execution of the defrosting control, the overall power consumption increases compared to when only cooling device3is in operation. In other words, power consumption of refrigeration equipment2can be reduced by executing the defrosting control in a time period except for power saving time period T3, compared to a case where the defrosting control is executed in power saving time period T3.

Outputter13outputs an instruction to execute the defrosting control for refrigeration equipment2according to the defrosting schedule set by setting unit12. Specifically, outputter13transmits an instruction to execute the defrosting control to cooling device3when a timing at which the defrosting control should be executed has come, according to the defrosting schedule. It should be noted that, in a case where the defrosting control is control for heating by heater4, outputter13transmits an instruction to execute the defrosting control to each of cooling device3and heater4when the above-described timing has come. Cooling device3and/or heater4that have received the instruction execute the defrosting control according to the instruction.

Storage14is a storage device in which necessary information (computer program and so on) for the processor of controller10to execute various controls is stored. For example, storage14is implemented by a semiconductor memory; however, storage14is not limited to this but may be implemented by other well-known electronic information storage means. In storage14, the reference data used in the first setting example or the second setting example is stored, for example. Furthermore, in storage14, the reference data used in the first creation example is stored, for example. Furthermore, in storage14, the defrosting schedule set by setting unit12is stored.

2. Operation

The operation of defrosting control system100configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIG. toFIG.7.FIG.5is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of defrosting control system100according to the embodiment when setting a defrosting schedule.FIG.6is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of defrosting control system100according to the embodiment when a defrosting schedule for a power saving request has been set.FIG.7is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of defrosting control system100according to the embodiment when a normal defrosting schedule has been set. Hereinafter, description is carried out under the assumption that a defrosting control is to stop the operation of cooling device3that cools refrigeration equipment2.

First, the operation of defrosting control system100according to the embodiment when setting a defrosting schedule will be described with reference toFIG.5. Obtainer11obtains schedule information of the current day (execution day) at a predetermined time (at 0:00, for example) (S1). Process S1corresponds to obtaining ST1in a defrosting control method.

Setting unit12sets a defrosting schedule based on the schedule information obtained by obtainer11. When the schedule information obtained by obtainer11indicates that power saving is scheduled on the execution day for a power saving request (S2: Yes), setting unit12sets a defrosting schedule for a power saving request (S3). On the other hand, when the schedule information obtained by obtainer11indicates that power saving is not scheduled on the execution day for a power saving request (S2: No), setting unit12sets a normal defrosting schedule that is predetermined (S4). Processes S2to S4correspond to setting ST2in the defrosting control method.

Next, the operation of defrosting control system100according to the embodiment after setting a defrosting schedule will be described with reference toFIG.6andFIG.7. Hereinafter, when setting unit12has set the defrosting schedule for a power saving request and when setting unit12has set the normal defrosting schedule will be described separately.

First, the operation of defrosting control system100when setting unit12has set the defrosting schedule for a power saving request will be described with reference toFIG.6. According to the defrosting schedule set by setting unit12, when a timing at which the defrosting control should be executed (defrosting timing) has come (S5: Yes), outputter13transmits an instruction to execute the defrosting control to cooling device3(S6). On the other hand, when the defrosting timing has not yet come (S5: No), outputter13does not execute anything. Processes S5and S6correspond to outputting ST3in the defrosting control method.

Here, when power saving time period T3scheduled for power saving request has started (S7: Yes), in a case where the power saving scheduled is actually requested by a power saving request (S8: Yes), setting unit12does not update the defrosting schedule but maintains the current defrosting schedule (S9). On the other hand, in a case where the power saving scheduled is not actually requested by a power saving request (S8: No), setting unit12updates the defrosting schedule (S10). Specifically, setting unit12updates the defrosting schedule so that the defrosting control will be executed at execution interval T2after execution time period T1of the defrosting control that is executed right before power saving time period T3. As described above, in a case where a defrosting schedule has been set based on the schedule information indicating that power saving is scheduled for a power saving request, setting unit12updates the defrosting schedule when the power saving scheduled is not actually requested by a power saving request.

The above-described series of processes S5to S10is repeated until the defrosting schedule is completed (S11: No). When the defrosting schedule is completed (S11: Yes), the operation of defrosting control system100ends.

Next, the operation of defrosting control system100when setting unit12has set the normal defrosting schedule will be described with reference toFIG.7. According to the normal defrosting schedule, when the defrosting timing has come (S12: Yes), outputter13transmits an instruction to execute the defrosting control to cooling device3(S13). On the other hand, when the defrosting timing has not yet come (S12: No), outputter13does not execute anything. Processes S12and S13correspond to outputting ST3in the defrosting control method.

Here, when unscheduled power saving is requested by a power saving request (S14: Yes), setting unit12updates the defrosting schedule (S15). Specifically, for example, in a case where the defrosting control is not executed and a certain period of time (e.g., four hours) has passed from the most recently executed defrosting control when unscheduled power saving is requested by a power saving request, setting unit12updates the defrosting schedule to cause the defrosting control to start at the time when the unscheduled power saving is requested. Furthermore, setting unit12updates the defrosting schedule so that the defrosting control will be executed at execution interval T2after the defrosting control that has started at the time when the unscheduled power saving is requested. On the other hand, when power saving is not requested by a power saving request (S14: No), setting unit12does not update the defrosting schedule but maintains the current defrosting schedule (S16). As described above, in a case where a defrosting schedule has been set based on the schedule information indicating that power saving is not scheduled for a power saving request, setting unit12updates the defrosting schedule when unscheduled power saving is requested by a power saving request.

The above-described series of processes S12to S16is repeated until the defrosting schedule is completed (S17: No). When the defrosting schedule is completed (S17: Yes), the operation of defrosting control system100ends.

3. Advantageous Effects and so on

Hereinafter, the advantageous effects of defrosting control system100according to the embodiment will be described. In defrosting control system100according to the embodiment, a defrosting schedule is set according to whether power saving is scheduled for a power saving request. Accordingly, in defrosting control system100according to the embodiment, when power saving is scheduled for a power saving request, a defrosting schedule taking the power saving scheduled into account can be set. Then, in defrosting control system100according to the embodiment, since defrosting control is executed for refrigeration equipment2according to the defrosting schedule for a power saving request, power consumption during a time period designated by a power saving request, for example, can be relatively reduced compared to power consumption during other time periods. In other words, defrosting control system100according to the embodiment has the advantage of easily meeting the need for reducing power consumption in response to a power saving request.

Furthermore, in defrosting control system100according to the embodiment, the defrosting control is executed for refrigeration equipment2in response to a power saving request while satisfying the number of executions and the execution time period of the defrosting control required for defrosting of refrigeration equipment2. Accordingly, defrosting control system100according to the embodiment has the advantage of easily meeting the need for reducing power consumption in response to a power saving request while maintaining the quality of an item that is a target for cooling in refrigeration equipment2and preventing the cooling performance of refrigeration equipment2from deteriorating due to frost formation.

[Variations]

As described above, the embodiment is described as an exemplification of the technique disclosed in the present application. However, the techniques in the present disclosure are not limited to this embodiment and appropriate modifications, interchanges, additions, omissions, etc., to the embodiment are possible. Moreover, various elements described in the above embodiment may be combined to achieve a new embodiment.

Hereinafter, variations of the embodiment will be exemplified.

In the embodiment, when a defrosting schedule for a power saving request has been set and power saving is not actually requested by a power saving request, setting unit12updates the defrosting schedule; however, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, when a defrosting schedule for a power saving request has been set and power saving in a time period that is different from a power saving time period predicted is requested by a power saving request, setting unit12may update the defrosting schedule.

In the embodiment, although a defrosting schedule is set to achieve both objectives of maintaining the quality of an item that is a target for cooling in refrigeration equipment2and preventing cooling performance from deteriorating due to frost formation, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a defrosting schedule may be set to only maintain the quality of an item that is a target for cooling in refrigeration equipment2. In such a case, the interval of the defrosting control may be set to four hours or longer in the defrosting schedule. Furthermore, for example, the defrosting schedule may be set to only prevent cooling performance from deteriorating due to frost formation. In such a case, the interval of the defrosting control may be set to six hours or shorter in the defrosting schedule.

In the embodiment, although outputter13outputs an instruction to execute the defrosting control to cooling device3when a timing at which the defrosting control should be executed has come according to the defrosting schedule set by setting unit12, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, outputter13may output the defrosting schedule set by setting unit12to cooling device3. In such a case, cooling device3executes the defrosting control according to the defrosting schedule received. Furthermore, in such a case, outputter13may output the defrosting schedule to cooling device3every time the defrosting schedule is updated.

Furthermore, for example, although defrosting control system100is implemented by a single device in the embodiment, it may be implemented by a plurality of devices. When defrosting control system100is implemented by a plurality of devices, the constituent elements of defrosting control system100may be arbitrarily assigned to any of the plurality of devices. For example, in the embodiment, a part of the constituent elements of defrosting control system100may be included in a server. In other words, the present disclosure may be implemented by cloud computing or edge computing.

Furthermore, for example, in the embodiment, part or all of the constituent elements of defrosting control system100of the present disclosure may be configured of dedicated hardware or may be implemented by executing a software program suitable for each of the constituent elements. Each of the constituent elements may be implemented by a program execution unit, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a processor, retrieving and executing a software program stored in a recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor memory.

Furthermore, the constituent elements of defrosting control system100of the present disclosure may be configured of one or more electronic circuits. Each of the one or more electronic circuits may be a general circuit or a dedicated circuit.

The one or more electronic circuits may include a semiconductor device, an integrated circuit (IC), or a large scale integration (LSI), for example. The IC or the LSI may be integrated on a single chip or a combination of a plurality of chips. Here, the one or more electronic circuits are referred to as an IC or an LSI, but may also be referred to as a system LSI, a very large scale integration (VLSI), or an ultra large scale integration (ULSI), depending on the scale of integration. Furthermore, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that is programmed after an LSI is manufactured can also be used for the same purpose.

Furthermore, general or specific aspects of the present disclosure may be realized as a system, a device, a method, an integrated circuit, or a computer program. Alternatively, general or specific aspects of the present disclosure may be realized as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, such as an optical disk, an HDD, or a semiconductor memory, in which the computer program is stored. For example, the present disclosure may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the defrosting control method according to the embodiment. Furthermore, the program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be distributed via a communication path such as the Internet.

As described above, the embodiment is described as an exemplification of the technique disclosed in the present disclosure. To this extent, the accompanying drawings and detailed description are provided.

Accordingly, the constituent elements described in the accompanying drawings and the detailed description may include, not only constituent elements essential to solving the problem, but also constituent elements that are not essential to solving the problem in order to exemplify the aforementioned technique. Those unnecessary constituent elements should not be deemed essential due to the mere fact that they are described in the accompanying drawings and the detailed description.

Moreover, the above-described embodiment shows examples of techniques according to the present disclosure. Thus, various modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, or the like can be made within the scope of the claims or in a scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

CONCLUSION

As described above, defrosting control system100according to the embodiment includes obtainer11, setting unit12, and outputter13. Obtainer11obtains schedule information indicating whether power saving is scheduled for a temporary power saving request. Setting unit12sets a defrosting schedule including execution time period T1and execution interval T2of defrosting control for refrigeration equipment2, based on the schedule information obtained by obtainer11. Outputter13outputs an instruction to execute the defrosting control for refrigeration equipment2according to the defrosting schedule set by setting unit12.

Accordingly, there is an advantage that power consumption during a time period designated by a power saving request can be relatively reduced compared to power consumption during other time periods, and therefore the need for reducing power consumption in response to a power saving request can be easily met.

Moreover, for example, setting unit12sets at least one of execution time period T1or execution interval T2of the defrosting control, based on item information regarding an item that is a target for cooling in refrigeration equipment2.

Accordingly, there is an advantage that a defrosting schedule appropriate for an item that is a target for cooling in refrigeration equipment2can be easily set.

Furthermore, for example, setting unit12sets at least one of execution time period T1or execution interval T2of the defrosting control, based on environment information regarding the environment in which refrigeration equipment2is placed.

Accordingly, there is an advantage that a defrosting schedule appropriate for the environment in which refrigeration equipment2is placed can be easily set.

Furthermore, for example, obtainer11obtains the schedule information by prediction based on an execution history of one or more past power saving requests.

Accordingly, there is an advantage that a power saving schedule for a power saving request can be obtained without obtaining information from an external system.

Furthermore, for example, in a case where the defrosting schedule is set based on the schedule information indicating that power saving is scheduled for a power saving request, setting unit12updates the defrosting schedule when the power saving scheduled is not requested by a power saving request.

Accordingly, there is an advantage that it is possible to flexibly deal with a case where power saving is not actually requested by a power saving request, and thus a defrosting schedule can be easily optimized.

Furthermore, for example, in a case where the defrosting schedule is set based on the schedule information indicating that power saving is not scheduled for a power saving request, setting unit12updates the defrosting schedule when unscheduled power saving is requested by a power saving request.

Accordingly, there is an advantage that it is possible to flexibly deal with a case where unscheduled power saving is requested by a power saving request, and thus a defrosting schedule can be easily optimized.

Furthermore, for example, in a case where the defrosting control is control to stop the operation of cooling device3that cools refrigeration equipment2, setting unit12sets the defrosting schedule to cause the defrosting control to be executed in power saving time period T3.

Accordingly, there is an advantage that power consumption during power saving time period T3can be reduced compared to a case where the operation of cooling device3is stopped in a time period except for power saving time period T3, and therefore the need for reducing power consumption in response to a power saving request can be easily met.

Furthermore, for example, in a case where the defrosting control is control for heating by heater4, setting unit12sets the defrosting schedule to cause the defrosting control to be executed in a time period except for power saving time period T3.

Accordingly, there is an advantage that power consumption during power saving time period T3can be reduced compared to a case where control for heating by heater4is executed in power saving time period T3, and therefore the need for reducing power consumption in response to a power saving request can be easily met.

Furthermore, for example, a defrosting control method according to the embodiment includes obtaining ST1, setting ST2, and outputting ST3. In obtaining ST1, schedule information indicating whether power saving is scheduled for a temporary power saving request is obtained. In setting ST2, a defrosting schedule including execution time period T1and execution interval T2of defrosting control for refrigeration equipment2is set based on the schedule information obtained in obtaining ST1. In outputting ST3, an instruction to execute the defrosting control for refrigeration equipment2according to the defrosting schedule set in setting ST2is outputted.

Accordingly, for example, there is an advantage that power consumption during a time period designated by a power saving request can be relatively reduced compared to power consumption during other time periods, and therefore the need for reducing power consumption in response to a power saving request can be easily met.

Furthermore, for example, a recording medium according to the embodiment is a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that has recorded thereon a program for causing one or more processors to execute the defrosting control method.

Accordingly, for example, there is an advantage that power consumption during a time period designated by a power saving request can be relatively reduced compared to power consumption during other time periods, and therefore the need for reducing power consumption in response to a power saving request can be easily met.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is applicable to a defrosting control system and so on that execute a defrosting control in refrigeration equipment such as a showcase for refrigerating or freezing in a food store for example.