ES2533198B2 - Symbiotic and intelligent system for energy saving in buildings - Google Patents

Abstract

Intelligent symbiotic system for energy saving in buildings. # The system consists of a series of automatons (1) that send and receive data from a hub (2) connected to the internet (3), using as a means of visualization (5), communication to At the same time as a remote control any computer, smartphone or tablet that can connect to the internet. The system is intended for use in the automation and home automation sector, and in particular for monitoring electrical devices in a building or in an urban environment for energy saving and management.

Description

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SYMBIOTIC AND INTELLIGENT SYSTEM FOR ENERGY SAVING IN

EDIFICATION

D E S C R I P C I O N

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an intelligent symbiotic system for energy savings in buildings, specifically intended for use in the automation and home automation sector, and specifically for the monitoring of electrical devices in a building or an urban environment for Saving and energy management.

One of the objects of the invention is to allow flexibility in the control of each electrical device whose consumption is intended to be controlled, as well as to introduce the possibility of software switching. It is also the object of the invention to allow control without the need for special mechanisms, said control being possible through a web page with an IP address, through any type of device, allowing manual control over the installation in the case of The remote control fails.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The installation of home automation systems in edification is being implemented progressively due to the capacity offered to the users of a building to eliminate the dependence of compulsory displacement to the different areas of a house or premises in which the control systems are located (security, accesses, etc.), being able to perform the required functions centrally.

Most current home automation systems require a wiring to establish communication with the different points provided within a building. They also need their own hardware, so these systems do not fully exploit the full potential of current information technologies (ICT) and the most modern devices such as smartphones, tablets, etc. This increases the initial investment

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necessary, and makes its adoption very difficult, especially in already constructed buildings.

Some of the home automation systems solve the problem of users of a conventional home, who can only track consumption through the meter, but cannot know what the instantaneous consumption is occurring in their home as well as they can not Check if the electrical appliances connected to the network consume according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Some inventions use wireless communication between the control unit and the devices, but when the signal fades, the system is inoperative.

Currently, utility models and patents that solve some of these needs are published. These inventions are grouped into two types:

First, there are auxiliary devices and elements that are connected between the device that consumes electricity and an electrical outlet and that allow controlling the switching on and off of that device, as well as controlling its electrical consumption.

Second, there are different home automation systems applicable to buildings and that comprise, in a generalized way, a central unit that is in charge of controlling the system and managing the different elements associated with it.

Among the inventions belonging to the first type, the device defined by the document ES 1082529 U has the task of presenting an intelligent device operated by radiofrequency that allows the switching or cutting of the electric current and that is compatible with the rest of the cutting devices and commutation currently present in the electrical installations of the buildings maintaining the functionality of the latter. However, this device needs an element that collects the data supplied by each module and sends orders to the electrical device it controls.

Another document, the ES 1080 879 U aims to expand the functionality of the General Control and Protection Tables in order to extract information related to total electrical consumption and each of the circuits of the home or premises. Is placed

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in the general control and protection panel and only allows obtaining data on the total consumption or of each circuit, but not of each device of the installation.

The invention ES 2073 070 T3 refers to the movable electrical connectors that are intended to be installed between an electrical consumption apparatus and a wall socket of the female type connected to the electrical network and which has a wall-mounted cover or trim. It is an element that is added to a plug and protrudes from the wall.

Among the inventions belonging to the second type are:

Document ES 2 126 525 A1, which proposes a home automation and security system by remote control whose purpose is to make possible, from a mobile element, the operation of all those elements that integrate it, and informs, not only of the energy consumed by the entire installation, but for each of the electrical appliances connected to it. However, it has the fundamental disadvantage that a specific electrical installation must perform for this purpose and therefore cannot be incorporated into homes whose electrical installation structure is different.

Document ES 2 223 298 A1 refers to a multifunctional home automation system, of the type that includes a series of circuits that are distributed in various places of the building, all of which are commanded by a central unit in charge of system control and of a series of peripheral units.

Document ES 2 166 600 T3 refers to a programmable device for the control of electrical consumption, which aims to empower the automatic and real-time monitoring of the electrical consumption of any building. Both have the disadvantage that specific hardware is required and existing mobile devices cannot be used in a home to visualize the status.

Document ES 2 246 740 A1 refers to a measurement module and an installation comprising at least one of said automatons and which allows measuring and managing the electrical consumption of a series of devices individually, so that from the

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Measuring your consumption allows you to diagnose your activity status, monitor the information obtained, both individually and aggregate and interact with them. Document ES 2 255 835 A1 also refers to a modular control system to intelligently govern any electrical device, receive information from any type of sensor or external device, wired or wireless, and act intelligently, based on the information received, about electrical devices. These systems are characterized by a star topology of remarkable rigidity.

US patents US 6750781B1, US 6759946B2 and US 6750781B1 describe PLC (Power Line Communications) systems. With these systems, the alternating electrical network is used as a physical means for sending information between home devices. In PLC systems, the failure of one of the mechanisms leaves the device under control without operation and the user cannot act manually on it. PLC protocols are not directly compatible with TCP / IP protocols and in particular with the Internet network, requiring an additional adaptation interface for connection to an IP network. In addition, a PLC home automation system requires the installation of special mechanisms to replace conventional sockets, simple or switched switches, etc. Therefore, PLC systems cannot be implemented in a conventional electrical network without changing all mechanisms with other special mechanisms.

These systems and devices partially solve the problems detected. There are inventions that allow radiofrequency control, but do not preserve the reliability of manual control in an existing installation. Other elements allow you to evaluate the total electrical consumption of an installation, but not of each element connected to it separately. Most of them require their own hardware and are incompatible with personal computers, tablets and smartphones.

All systems studied require a very high initial investment to develop their full potential. They do not allow adding elements easily, according to the needs and possibilities of the client at any time.

For all these reasons none of the systems and devices studied have had great success in the Spanish housing market, mainly due to the difficulty in

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integrate them into pre-existing envelopes in the home.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The system that is recommended, has been conceived to be able to control the elements of an electrical installation and to improve its possibilities of control by the users, as well as to be able to know and manage its electrical consumption.

More specifically, the system of the invention basically comprises a plurality of automatons, a concentrator and a means of visualization and communication, convertible into a remote control by incorporating the appropriate software.

Automata are designed to send and receive data from the hub, being connected to the Internet and being able to use as a means of visualization and communication, and even remote control, any computer, smartphone or tablet that can connect to the Internet.

Each automata includes:

• A miniaturized plate with printed circuit;

• A programmable microcontroller for the detection of the operating state of the electrical device whose energy consumption is intended to be controlled;

• A miniaturized power supply.

• An integrated radio frequency circuit.

• A digital port for temperature, humidity and CO2 probe connection;

• Power cable, status cables and voltage cables.

For its part, the concentrator, as an element in charge of receiving the information from each automaton, either analogically or digitally, allows to detect the type of device whose consumption is intended to be controlled as well as the state of consumption of this.

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In addition, the concentrator itself houses a software capable of identifying, memorizing and adapting to user use and consumption habits, based on whose software the automatic operation of the system is possible, depending on predefined external scenes or circumstances. which includes the concentrator are:

• A power connector;

• An ethernet port;

• A pair of connectors;

• Inputs corresponding to an analog and digital converter;

• A reset button;

• A microcontroller;

• Two sets of buses for connection of digital sensors and analog sensors;

• A clock;

• Two USB connectors;

• A buzzer device;

• A pair of interface connectors;

• An integrated radio frequency circuit and a WIFI radio frequency integrated circuit.

Based on the characteristics and elements that participate in the system of the invention, it is possible to make the control of each consumption device more flexible, and to introduce the possibility of software switching, offering a completely connected topology less rigid than that offered by conventional systems , and this as a consequence of the fact that the system of the invention is a symbiotic system.

The proposed invention has the following fundamental advantages over similar inventions described above:

With respect to patents ES2126525A1, US 6750781B1, US 6759946B2 and US 6750781B1 the advantage is to allow full compatibility with existing electrical installations. Being a symbiotic system, it benefits from the wiring network and the data provided by all the devices of a conventional installation, while

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that the conventional devices referred to acquire new properties and functionalities that they did not have previously.

Another advantage is that the system is scalable, that is, automata and control functions can be added over time, so a large initial investment is not required, unlike other existing home systems that are closed . This scalability is not limited to a house or a building, but it allows to control sets of buildings, streets and entire neighborhoods.

With respect to the device described in ES2073070T3, the advantage consists in the bidirectionality of the information (feedback). With the present invention, the user not only has the possibility of operating the device, but at all times he is informed of the status of the devices connected to the installation, as well as of their malfunction.

Another advantage with respect to US 6750781B1, US 6759946B2 and US 6750781B1 is that it adds the radio frequency remote control, but without losing the option of manual control.

With respect to the patents ES 2 223 298 A1 and ES 2 166 600 T3, the advantage is that the control of the installation is carried out by means of a web application, so that any device that is used can be used as a display and remote control Can connect to the internet, regardless of operating system. It can also be accessed from anywhere in the world with any type of Internet access.

With respect to patents ES2246740A1 and ES2255835A1, the present invention provides the possibility of providing an electrical installation with software switching of existing devices. Another difference is that, compared to a topological arrangement in the form of a star, the symbiotic system allows communication between automata which increases flexibility and the distance covered by a single concentrator.

With respect to the invention ES1080879U, the invention provides the possibility of providing intelligence to an installation by means of the individual control of each device and software that recognizes user uses and customs to improve energy efficiency and efficiency.

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comfort.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that will then be carried out and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical realization thereof, a set of drawings is accompanied as an integral part of said description. where, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an installation in which all the elements that participate in the system of the invention appear.

Figure 2.- Shows a schematic representation of a measuring device that participates in the system of the invention.

Figure 3.- Shows a schematic representation of a concentrator that also participates in the system of the invention.

Figure 4 .- Shows a schematic representation of the completely connected network that is established between the automatons and the concentrator of the system of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen in the aforementioned figures, it can be seen how the system of the invention includes a plurality of automatons (1) that send and receive information from a hub (2) with Internet connection (3), complementing the system with an element of visualization (5) that can be constituted by a computer, a tablet, etc., and through the appropriate software it can become a remote control.

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Automata (1) in combination with the concentrator (2), are designed to control the energy consumption of electrical appliances (4).

The components that constitute each automata (1) are arranged in a miniaturized plate (10), of size 39x39x19 mm, which is inserted into the electrical outlet of the electrical installation, connecting some power cables (14) to the phase and to the neutral of the corresponding installation (7), so that the electrical device (4) to be connected, which is logically associated with the corresponding automaton (1), is detected in its operating state by means of a microcontroller (11).

Each automata (1), in addition to the miniaturized board (10), microcontroller (11), (this 8-bit one with 32KB of RAM and 16MHz), also includes a miniaturized power supply (12) a radio frequency integrated chip or circuit (13), the power cables (14) at 220V, three status cables (15) that are connected to a switch; two voltage cables (16) that are connected to an electrical device, as well as a digital port (17) that is connected to temperature, relative humidity and CO2 probes.

For its part, the hub (2) comprises a power connector (18), an Ethernet port (19); an ICSP connector (20); a JTAG connector (21); a digital analog converter with twelve ADC inputs (22), a reset button (23), a 32-bit microcontroller (24); A set of buses (25) for the connection of digital sensors (6), a set of buses (26) for connection of analog sensors (6), showing these perfectly referenced in Figure 1, and where they can be digital or analog as just said; An 84 MHz clock (27), two USB connectors (28), a buzzer device (29), an X10 and KNX interface connector (30) and (31) respectively, an 868MHz radio frequency integrated circuit (32) and a 2.4GHz radio frequency WIFI integrated circuit (33), in addition to status LEDs (34).

Some of the automata (1) may not be connected to any device and only be used as a temperature, relative humidity or CO2 concentration sensor. The two cables (14) connected to the phase and to the neutral of the installation (7) and the two cables (16) of the automaton allow to maintain the manual control of the electrical devices that are connected to the outlet in which it is hidden the automata (1).

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Automata (1) have the programmable microcontroller (11) that houses a radio frequency configurable software that allows the constitution of a wireless network of devices and that memorizes the on and off events of the device to which it is connected. The microcontroller (11) of each automaton (1) allows bidirectional communication via Wi-Fi between each automata (1) and the concentrator (2), as well as between each of the automatons, generating a totally connected topology (1) and increasing the range of action covered by the concentrator.

The concentrator (2) with Internet connection (3) is responsible for receiving the information that comes from each of the automatons (1) and is able to detect the type of device (4) in question, as well as the consumption status of it. To said controller (2) can get information of analog or digital sensors (6) connected to the cable. These probes can measure temperature, relative humidity or CO2 concentration. In the same way you can send information, both to the automatons (1), and to other actuators (8) already existing in the installation. The concentrator (2) has a software configurable by Wi-Fi from the visualization devices (5) that allows the network of automata (1) to be fully connected and that each automaton (1) is recognized by the concentrator (2).

The concentrator (2) houses a software capable of identifying, memorizing and adapting to the user use and consumption habits of the device. This software allows automatic operation of the system based on predefined external scenes or circumstances. Another feature of the software is that it is compatible with other commercial devices (9), such as X10 or KNX, that may be connected to the power grid (7).

The visualization means (5) house a software that allows bidirectional communication with the concentrator (2) via Wi-Fi. Any commercial device with keyboard and screen (smart phone, tablet, PC, ...) of any operating system (5) connected to the internet (wi-fi, 3G, ...) becomes a visualization medium and a remote control. installation distance through applications or web pages installed on these devices.

The system allows a bilateral communication between each of the automatons (1) and the

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concentrator (2), that is to say, the automatons (1) send information to the concentrator (2) about their electricity consumption, but they also receive information from said concentrator (2) for example the radiofrequency activation orders of on-off or opening -closing. Automata (1) are connected to the general electricity network (7), thus maintaining the possibility of manual control in the event of a home automation system failure.

The elements that constitute each automata (1) are arranged in a miniaturized plate (10) of size 39x39x19 mm and are inserted into the electrical outlet of the electrical installation by connecting the cables (14) to the phase and neutral of the installation ( 7). The small size of the automatons allows them to be housed in a standard box of any plug or switch and thus remain hidden from view of the user.

The two cables (14) connected to the phase and to the neutral of the installation (7) and the two cables (16) of the module allow to maintain the manual control of the electrical devices that are connected to the outlet in which it is hidden the automata (1).

The concentrator (2) for sending data and orders received via internet connection (3) receives data from the automatons (1), remotely via radio frequency using a smartphone, tablet or PC (5).

The concentrator (2) houses a software capable of identifying, memorizing and adapting to the user use and consumption habits of the device. This software allows it to be activated automatically based on predefined external scenes or circumstances. Another feature of the software is that it is compatible with other commercial devices, such as X10 or KNX, that may be connected to the power grid.

Below are indicated, based on the figures already mentioned, four different realization modes that correspond to:

The first easiest way of carrying out the symbiotic system is to convert an existing plug into a remote operated plug by any means of

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visualization (5). This mode has the following elements:

• At least one automaton (1) connected to the phase and neutral lines of an electrical installation.

• A hub (2) that is connected to the internet.

• Visualization means (5) with bidirectional communication with the hub (2) via Wi-Fi, 3G or any other type of connection, which becomes a remote control of the installation through applications or web pages installed in said visualization medium ( 5). They can be smartphones, personal computers or tablets.

The automaton (1) is inserted into the electrical box of an existing plug and is connected to the electric line and the plug itself. With this configuration, the automaton (1) allows the interruption of the electric current, in remote mode, of the electrical device connected to that plug by means of a remote control capable of communicating with the concentrator (2) which in turn emits the radio frequency order corresponding to the automaton (1).

The second mode of realization, which can be seen in (37) of Figure 1, consists in converting a simple switch into a switch switched by any visualization means (5) while maintaining its original functionality. The automaton (1) is inserted into the box of the existing switch, connected to the electric line and to the switch itself by means of the three status cables (15). With this configuration, the automaton (1) knows the state changes of the switch and can autonomously turn the connected electrical device on or off. In addition, any means of visualization (5) knows the state (off / on) of the electrical device and can issue an order to the concentrator (2) which in turn will issue an order to the automaton (1) to remotely turn on or off the corresponding electrical appliance (4).

The third mode of realization, somewhat more complex, can be seen in (38) of Figure 1. It consists in using the system to modify an existing double switching circuit in a triple switching system. For this, the automaton (1) is connected to the switch (36) located in the connection of the line, to the line itself and to the wiring that goes to the other switch (36). The automaton (1) is inserted into the switch or switch box in which it is connected. With this configuration the electric current in the line can

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controlled by the two switches that were already present and by a remote control as described in the first mode of realization, transforming a double switched circuit into a triple switched circuit.

The fourth embodiment consists in the creation of an electrical network switched by software and fully configurable.

In new construction installations each automaton (1) is installed in a simple switch (35) and is connected to the electric line and to the switch itself (35). Other automatons (1) are connected to any electrical device (4) and to the same electrical line of the installation (7). The concentrator (2) recognizes the information that all automata (1) send. A software connection is established from the visualization means (5) between the controllers installed in the switches and the controllers that are in charge of operating any electrical device. Thus, if a simple switch (35) is activated, the corresponding automaton issues information of its change of state to the concentrator (2). The concentrator (2) in turn will issue an order to the automaton with which it has previously been linked by software to turn on or off an electric device.

In addition, the display means (5) report the status of each electrical device (4) in the network and can be used as universal controls that issue orders via Wi-Fi to the hub (2) that is responsible for governing the electrical devices connected in installation.

With this last embodiment, the configuration can be modified and control points added on an electric line without the need to physically alter it or add cables. A large number of cables and rubs are replaced by a wireless and versatile software connection, since the connection between switches and luminaires can be easily changed, as well as providing intelligence associated with new uses with specific software adapted to the user.

Finally, it should be noted that the system is capable of working symbiotically with other radiofrequency devices already existing in an installation. So it is able to dialogue with other radio frequency devices that exist in the

market and complement them by giving them profits that they don't have.

Claims (1)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S 1a.- Intelligent symbiotic system for energy saving in buildings, based on monitoring and consumption analysis and comprising a plurality of scalable (1) automata and fully integrable in any electrical installation (7), characterized in that it comprises a set of automata ( 1) connected to the phase and neutral lines of an electrical installation (7), in combination with an information data concentrator (2), the concentrator (2) being connected to the internet, all in combination with a visualization medium and communication (5), capable of materializing in a remote control and presenting bi-directional means of communication via WIFI with the concentrator (2), counting the concentrator (2) with a software configurable by WIFI from the display medium (5) to allow the network of automata (1) to be fully connected and that each automaton (1) be recognized by the hub (2), with each automata (1) being provided to understand : A miniaturized plate (10) with printed circuit; a microcontroller (11); a miniaturized power supply (2), an integrated radio frequency circuit (13); power cables (14), status cables (15) connected to a switch; voltage cables (16) connected to an electrical device, and a digital port (17) connected to temperature, relative humidity and CO2 probes, while the concentrator (2) comprises: a power connector (18); an Ethernet port (19), an ICSP connector (20), a JTAG connector (21), two outputs corresponding to analog and digital converters (22); a reset button (23), a microcontroller (24), two sets of buses (25) and (26) for connection of digital and analog sensors (6), a clock (27), a pair of USB connectors (28) and a buzzer device (29). 2nd.- Intelligent symbiotic system for energy savings in building, according to revindication 1a, characterized in that the means of visualization and communication (5) they contain a software that turns it into a remote control and a display of System components status. 3a.- Intelligent symbiotic system for energy saving in building, according to previous claims, characterized in that it includes means of communication with other radio frequency devices in symbiotic mode.