EP0697084A1

EP0697084A1 - Electric storage heater

Info

Publication number: EP0697084A1
Application number: EP95912206A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans Latarius; Leo Kaim
Original assignee: Tekmar Angewandte Elektronik GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: KKW KULMBACHER KLIMAGERATE-WERK GMBH; Tekmar GmbH
Priority date: 1994-03-10
Filing date: 1995-03-04
Publication date: 1996-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2015-03-04
Also published as: CZ275795A3; CZ57795A3; CZ285942B6; DE4407965C2; WO1995024594A1; PL311959A1; DE59500799D1; DE4407965A1; EP0697084B1; PL175599B1; CZ292836B6; ATE159339T1

Abstract

A standard electric storage heater consists of a storage core, a charge regulator (1) controlling the charge of said core and a fan (8) for discharging heat from the storage core. The charge regulator is in the form of a plug-in module and is electrically and mechanically coupled via a plug-in coupling (3A) to the electric storage heater and associated regulating and measuring components. A discharge regulator module (2) is detachably coupled via at least one plug-in strip (3B) to the charge regulator and other parts of the electric storage heater. The mains unit (11) supplying the charge regulator is designed so that it can also supply the discharge regulator (2) with current. Electrical signals representative of the nominal and actual values of the storage core heat content are transmitted via the detachable coupling device (3B) to the discharge regulator (2). The fan is likewise controlled via the detachable coupling device by a micro-controller (21) of the discharge regulator (2). By fitting the discharge regulator, a standard electric storage heater can be provided with a combined regulating system which can be set at any level of comfort or can even be self-learning.

Description

Electric storage heater

The invention relates to an electric storage heater with a storage core, a charging regulator that controls its charging, a power supply unit that supplies the charging regulator with voltage, and a fan for removing heat from the storage core. Instead of a fan, a flap device which influences the heat dissipation and which influences the air passage through the storage core can also be provided. In this respect, the term "fan" also stands for a flap device of the type mentioned.

In the simplest embodiments *, electric storage heaters also have a charge regulator which receives the release signal for the charge releases within low load times either directly or indirectly via a central control device which is jointly assigned to a storage device group. If necessary, the charge controller also receives a control signal via the central control device, which sets the setpoint of the storage core heat content depending on weather and time values as well as preset parameters. The actual value of Speicherkern- heat content ^'is detected by a high temperature sensor, which is connected to the Aufladeregier. The output signal of the charge controller switches the power for charging the memory core directly or via an assigned power relay.

The heating comfort is largely determined by the discharge of the memory by means of at least one fan. From DE-PS 36 31 525 a combined charging and discharging regulator is already known, which can be accommodated with all the essential components in the housing of the electric storage heater. This known controller combination can ensure optimum heating comfort, since a constant exchange of information can take place between the components of the charge and discharge controllers in relation to the state of the storage core and the room air temperature behavior. Despite their considerable operational advantages, these known combination regulations have not been able to adequately establish themselves on the market. This was because that combined charge and discharge controllers entailed a relatively high additional price on the storage heater, which could not be achieved on the market. As a result, different devices with combination control and, alternatively, with a simple charging regulator without discharge control had to be manufactured and kept in stock. The costs of the advantageous combination regulation increased even further by special designs to meet special consumer wishes. All manufacturers offered different combination control systems which, because of their small series, could not be offered inexpensively.

The advantageous combination control in favor of simple discharge control via a room thermostat was frequently dispensed with. This is where the invention intervenes.

The invention has for its object to provide the ^' technical prerequisites for improving the cost / benefit ratio and thus the acceptance of combined charging and discharging control systems in electrical storage units.

This object is achieved in an electric storage heater of the type mentioned at the outset in that a discharge controller module can be coupled mechanically and electrically to the charge controller and / or another part of the electric storage heater via at least one detachable coupling device; and that the power supply unit supplying the charge controller is also provided for supplying power to the discharge controller module.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that electrical signals representative of the setpoint and actual values of the storage core heat content can be transmitted to the discharge regulator module via the releasable coupling device; and that a fan control device can be electrically integrated into the fan control circuit via the releasable coupling device. The invention creates the prerequisite for the fact that the variety of device types that previously conflicted with the introduction of cost-effective combination controllers with charging and discharging functions can be drastically reduced. The basic functions of a charge controller are uniform and essential for practically all conventional electric storage heaters; the same also applies to the necessary measurement and influencing variables. The functions and performance options of the discharge controller, on the other hand, are largely determined by customer requirements and operating conditions.

In this respect, the invention is based on the consideration that electric storage heaters can be produced inexpensively by all manufacturers with an individual design and basic equipment that fulfills the minimum functions. Basically, all manufacturers can offer their devices with essentially unchanged design and basic equipment. It is only important that all devices in the basic configuration have a simple interface (connector strip) with a uniform connector connection pattern, so that the controller modules which fulfill the discharge function, which may be customer-specific and production-specific, are connection-compatible with the components of the basic configuration and are simple can be plugged on. Only the power supply unit of the basic configuration is to be designed to be a little more powerful, so that the same power supply unit can also take over the power supply of the discharge regulator module to be plugged on. The customer can therefore buy an electrical storage heater in the basic configuration from any storage device manufacturer, if appropriate according to the device design, and select the heating comfort as desired by suitable selection and, if necessary, retrofitting of a discharge controller. The matching connection pattern between the electrical storage heater from any manufacture and the plug-in discharge controller (from the same or a different manufacturer) increases the device series and increases the selection options. capabilities for the consumer, accordingly makes the installation or retrofitting of the advantageous combination control affordable and drastically reduces the assembly work even when replacing • controller components. Special assembly tools or knowledge are not required.

A further improvement in the functionality and reduction of the assembly effort can be achieved in a further development of the invention in that the charging regulator is designed as a detachable module, in particular a detachable plug-in module, can be mechanically coupled to the housing of the electric storage heater and via plug connections to the common power supply and at least one residual heat sensor is electrically connectable.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the discharge controller contains a microcontroller with a microprocessor memory. Such a discharge controller is capable of learning. It acts as a room temperature optimizer. For this purpose, the microprocessor receives information about the temperature of the memory core and thus the temperature response and the timing of the charge release. Furthermore, the room temperature and the setpoint of the room temperature are communicated to him via a suitable sensor. These actual and setpoints are continuously stored in the memory and, if necessary, passed on to the charging regulator as a disturbance variable via plug devices. With this disturbance variable, the input signal at the charging regulator can then be compensated for on a room-by-room basis, so that an individual-room temperature optimization is achieved. The continuous detection of the room temperature, the temperature response, the detection of the core temperature, the gradient of the discharge curve, maximum and minimum values and the temperature difference, sudden changes in the room temperature (as a result of room ventilation) etc. enable the associated software of the microcontroller ongoing temperature and heating cost optimization.

The design of the discharge and charge regulator as plug-in modules also enables a particularly ergonomic arrangement of the associated setpoint adjuster. The charging regulator is preferably arranged on the housing of the electric storage heater in such a way that a setpoint adjuster attached to the charging regulator is accessible from the outside. For this purpose, an outer wall of the electrical storage heater can be provided with a recess through which a part of the plug-in module with the setpoint adjuster protrudes outwards from the housing, so that its actuator can be easily reached and adjusted by the user. Instead of a mechanically adjustable actuator, an infrared, radio or frequency-modulated remote control device can also be provided, both for setting the room temperature setpoint and the memory core temperature setpoint.

Detachable plug connections are preferably provided between the housing of the electric storage heater and the controller modules in the same or in parallel directions.

In this case, a common connector strip can be arranged, for example, vertically in the housing of the electric storage heater, and the various plug-in modules are inserted one above the other with a positive and / or non-positive connection into this common connector strip. Push-button systems, for example, can serve as mechanical connecting elements.

In one embodiment of the invention, an additional switching function, for example the plug-in module that switches the output of additional heating elements, can be coupled mechanically and electrically to a part of the electric storage heater and / or to the discharge controller module via at least one further releasable coupling device.

Other developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments schematically shown in the drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram and connection diagram of an embodiment of the controller combination of an electric storage heater according to the invention.

2 shows a schematic top view from the rear of a plug-in connector fixed to the device and serving as an interface and two controller modules mechanically and electrically connected to it;

3 shows a view of the arrangement according to FIG. 2 from the front, the housing of the electrical storage heater being omitted for the sake of clarity;

4A shows a perspective view of the housing exterior of a controller module;

4B shows a perspective view of the inside of the housing of the controller module;

5 shows a perspective partial view of an electric storage heater with externally detachable and adjustable controller modules;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the mounting area of the

Charge and discharge regulator in the ESH housing, whereby only the charge regulator is installed; and

7 shows a lateral plug arrangement of three plug modules on a plug strip in the electrical storage heater.

1 shows an embodiment of the invention with a comfortable combination control. The essential components of the combination control are assigned to a charging regulator 1 and an unloading regulator 2. According to the invention, the two controllers 1 and 2 are designed as individual detachable plug-in modules which are accessible from the outside on the electric storage heater (ESH) and with little at least one device-fixed connector 3 or 3A, 3B can be coupled.

The charging regulator 1 is supplied with voltage on the input side via the contacts C and D of the plug connector 3A. The release signal for the storage core charging within the low load period is supplied directly or indirectly from a central control device (ZSG) assigned to the overall project (apartment or house) via the contacts G and H of the connector strip 3A. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 (combination control), a guide voltage is derived from the discharge regulator 2 via a cable bridge 30 between the plug-in connectors 3A and 3B.

The actual value of the storage core heat content (instantaneous value of the state of charge of the storage core) is recorded by at least one residual heat sensor 4 arranged directly in or on the storage core and made available to the charging regulator 1 via the contact K. The heat content setpoint of the memory core can be set via an externally accessible setpoint adjuster 5 and is made available as an electrical signal on the one hand at the contact L of the plug connector 3A to the charging regulator 1 and on the other hand via a prewired bridge 31 at the contact h of the plug connector 3B.

In the exemplary embodiment described, the electronic charge controller 1 is designed as an inexpensive analog unit that can take over all analog measurement and control signals directly; The power supply unit 11 is integrated in the charging regulator 1 and is designed to be sufficiently powerful to be able to supply the discharge regulator 2 or other control components with operating current in addition to the charging regulator 1. The actual and target values of the storage core heat content are amplified in a control amplifier 12; the amplifier output signal on line 13 forms the first input signal for a comparator 14. The command or control signal (contacts G and H) is amplified by an amplifier 15 and fed to the comparator 14 via line 16 as a second input signal. The The output signal of the comparator 14 switches the electrical power for charging the memory core directly or via an assigned power relay. The charging regulator 1 of the previously described exemplary embodiment of the invention differs from conventional, permanently installed charging regulators only in its design as an externally accessible and pluggable module and in the reinforced design of the power supply 11.

The discharge controller 2 can be coupled to the ESH via the device-side connector 3B serving as an interface and makes the control arrangement a convenient combination control. This plug-in solution has the advantage of significant material, logistics (warehousing) and installation cost savings compared to known combination controls.

The discharge controller 2 is supplied with current from the power supply 11 of the charge controller via a bridge 32. A microcontroller 21, which in the exemplary embodiment described contains a microprocessor and at least one memory with a suitable operating program and a working memory, forms the heart of this controller module. As a digital component, the microcontroller 21 is electrically connected to the charging regulator 1 on the input side via an analog / digital converter 22 and on the output side via a digital / analog converter 23. Signals representative of the following quantities are supplied to the microcontroller 21:

1. Temperature of the memory core and thus the temperature change - via the bridge 33 and the plug contact k;

2. Setpoint value of the heat content - via the bridge 31 and the plug contact h;

3. Setpoint of the room temperature from a setpoint adjuster 6 which is freely accessible from the outside of the device - via the plug contact g; and 4. Actual value of the room temperature τ> from a room sensor 7 - via the plug contact f.

The setpoint adjusters 5 and 6 can also be designed as remote control units, for example as radio-controlled units, in special designs.

In the combination shown with the discharge controller 2, the guide signals at the input of the amplifier 15 and thus the release of charge via the bridge 30 are controlled by the discharge controller, and via a bridge 34 the microcontroller generates a combination signal which, as a disturbance variable, the control amplifier 12 of the charge controller 1 is supplied and serves to compensate for the influence of the fan run according to the following description.

The main function of the discharge controller 2 and, accordingly, also of the microcontroller 21 is the control of a fan 8 via a motor controller 24. The fan 8 installed in the ESH is hard-wired to the plug contact a. A signal representative of the charge release (of the power supply company) is fed to the discharge controller 2 via the plug contact c. The control line of an additional heater 9 is connected to the plug contact b of the plug connector 3B assigned to the discharge controller 2. The microcontroller 21 can switch over to the additional heating in a manner known per se, above all if a peak demand that may arise cannot be covered or cannot be covered completely by the heat content of the storage core.

Via the combination line (bridge 34), the signal "fan on" can be sent to the charging regulator 1, which then switches over to another charging characteristic during the discharge process in order to compensate for the influence of the fan running.

Incoming and outgoing compensation lines can be connected via contacts e and d of the 3B connector. These lines enable the microcontroller 21 to communicate with other discharge controllers in order to adapt the discharge powers, for example of several ESHs arranged in a room, and to optimize the room temperature.

As already mentioned at the beginning, the ESH is fully functional when equipped with the charging regulator 1. The charge director

1 is therefore also part of the basic configuration of an ESH in the individually pluggable arrangement according to the invention. The combination control can be achieved simply by the discharge controller

2 is additionally plugged onto the already prepared plug-in strip 3B. The discharge controller is then automatically supplied by the already existing, correspondingly powerful power supply 11.

2, 3 and 4A, B show the mechanical components, in particular the housings of the charge regulators 1 and 2, from behind and from the front, respectively, in association with a continuous and device-specific connector strip 3. The electrical components are shown in the representations according to Figures 2 and 4B omitted. The housing 40 in both controller modules 1 and 2 has a matching, approximately box-shaped design. As can be seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the controller housings 40 are open towards the plug side. The interior of each housing is delimited by rectangular side walls 41, 42. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, openings 47 are provided between the side walls 41 and 42 for receiving a possibly continuous device-specific connector strip 3. The part 43 of each housing protruding outward from the ESH is hood-shaped and is formed in one piece with the side walls 41 and 42. A recess 44 is formed in the hood-shaped section, which is penetrated by an operating element of the set point adjuster 5 or 6 designed as an adjusting wheel 45. Each housing 40 is assigned a plug 46 (FIG. 4B), which is prewired to the respective controller contacts (FIG. 1) and, in connection with the device's own plug-in strip 3, the interface of the respective controller to the ESH or to the respective

30 ... 34 equipped. However, pluggable bridges can also be provided subsequently, in order to give the installer the opportunity to make certain device adjustments or controller adjustments later.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Electric storage heater with a storage core, a charging regulator (1) controlling its charging, a power supply unit (11) supplying the charging regulator with voltage and a fan (8) or a flap device for removing heat from the storage core, characterized in that a discharge regulator module (2) can be coupled mechanically as well as electrically to the charge regulator (1) and / or another part of the electric storage heater via at least one detachable coupling device (3A, B; 3,46); and that the power supply unit (11) supplying the charge regulator is also provided for supplying power to the discharge regulator module (2).

2. Electric storage heater according to claim 1, so that representative electrical signals for the setpoint and actual values of the storage core heat content can be transmitted to the discharge controller module (2) via the releasable coupling device (3B); and that a fan control device (21, 24) can be electrically connected to the fan control circuit via the releasable coupling device.

3. Electric storage heater according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the charging regulator (1) is designed as a releasable module, in particular releasable plug-in module, can be mechanically coupled to the housing (10) of the electric storage heater and via plug connections (3A, 46) can be electrically connected to at least one residual heat sensor (4).

4. Electric storage heater according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the discharge controller (2) contains a microcontroller (21) with microprocessor and memory.

5. Electric storage heater according to claim 4, characterized ge indicates that the charging regulator (1) is formed as an analog device and that the signal exchange between the charging regulator and microcontroller (21) of the discharge controller (2) via analog / digital or digital / Analog converter (22, 23) takes place.

6. Electric storage heater according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the charging regulator (1) is arranged on the housing (10) of the electrical storage heater in such a way that a set point adjuster (45) arranged on the charging regulator is accessible from the outside.

7. Electric storage heater according to claim 6, characterized ge indicates that an outer wall of the electric storage heater is provided with a recess (50) through which a Soll¬ value controller (45) carrying part (43) of the charge controller (1) from the ESH The housing (10) projects outwards.

8. Electric storage heater according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the housing recess (50) is extended over the assembly area provided for the discharge controller module (2).

9. Electric storage heater according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that between the housing (10) of the electric storage heater and the two controller modules (1, 2) in the same or parallel directions detachable plug connections

(3, 46) are provided.

10. An electric storage heater according to claim 9, characterized in that all plug-in modules (1, 2; 61, 62, 63) are arranged one above the other and in a substantially vertically extending, arranged in the end region of the housing of the electric storage heater (3 ) can be inserted.

11. Electric storage heater according to one of claims 1 to

10, characterized in that an additional switching function, for example, the plug-in module (63) which switches the output of additional heating elements, via at least one further releasable coupling device both mechanically and electrically with a part of the electric storage heater and / or with the Discharge controller module (2; 62) can be coupled.

12. Electric storage heater according to one of claims 1 to

11, characterized in that the discharge controller module (2) is provided with connections (f, c, 1, m, n) for a room sensor (7), for the charge release and for charge controller control lines.

13. Electric storage heater according to claim 12, characterized in that the discharge controller module (2) is provided with at least one connection (e, d) for establishing a communication connection with other discharge controllers.

14. Electric storage heater according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the connections (f, c, 1, m, n, e, d) are contacts of the releasable coupling device (3A, 3B).