WO2023249478A1

WO2023249478A1 - Decorative electric radiator with smart control

Info

Publication number: WO2023249478A1
Application number: PCT/MK2023/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marta NAUMOVSKA GRNAROVA
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-06-21
Filing date: 2023-06-27
Publication date: 2023-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2024-12-21

Abstract

An electric radiator that includes a specially shaped outer shell, made of heat-conducting material, which forms the main radiating surface, electrical connections, thermal sensors, and flexible heaters applied to a polyamide film and sticked to the inner part of the wall of the outer shell radiator, with a plurality of connections, a set of static semiconductor relays (3.2), temperature sensors (2,3 and 2.4) and a central control unit (2.7).

Description

DECORATIVE ELECTRIC RADIATOR WITH SMART CONTROL

Field of the invention

The invention can be categorized into two classes, From the aspect of overall external performance, it. belongs to the field of mechanical engineering, more specifically, it refers to the heating and lighting part in the class of heating devices, namely casings, cover lids or ornamental panels, for radiators (F24D19/06), While, according to the way of management, which includes it can be categorized in the field of electricity in assemblies intended for the inclusion and management of heating, that is, specifically intended for the management of radiators (H05B1/0277).

Problem solved by the invention

The invention solves the problem of efficient heating of closed spaces by using electric radiators that have the appearance and placement of a decorative-art installation.

State of the art

Traditional electric radiators are devices whose energy efficiency is determined by the direct transformation of electrical energy into thermal energy and depends on: management, the materials from which they are made from and the way they are placed in the space for which they are intended to be heated.

Considering that their introduction as a category is related to hot water heating, their delivery, the materials from which they are produced, the way of installation and management have not changed significantly for more than 50 years. Namely, manufacturers cope to find a balance between heating performance and design. Heaters and sensor control assemblies do not meet modern trends, which results in a decrease in their use. Initially, in terms of the material they use, according to some researches 78% of the existing electric radiators, present on the market, use low-quality metal and colors that affect the reduction of their efficiency, due to the losses that occur. In addition, using this combination increases the negative impact on the environment, which is due to the reduced possibility of recycling without side effects, Management of standard electric radiators is manual, the parameters are set on the device, that is installed on the radiator itself. At the same time, the commands are simple (according to the ambient temperature). With that, the consumption of electricity is higher, because the control takes place with an atmospheric thermostat that measures the temperature of the room, so the heater works ail the time until the temperature is reached by engaging the entire power.

Placing the radiator as a decorative element is part of the application US2020271328, which represents a solution in which the radiant surface of the electric radiator represents a mirror, and the entire device is placed in a decorative frame, which can fully function as both a mirror and a heating body. While the solution provided for in FR9407678 provides for the integration of the heating element with a dominant radiation distribution of heat in the building carpentry with an aluminum frame, more specifically, the interior doors of rooms. However, these solutions do not include details for managing heating intensity and managing different user scenarios.

A Solution related that is related wi th specific management of the heating unit is the one included in the application GR1010083, which provides control of heating bodies (radiators), usage of the Internet network and through the installation of modules for switching on and off, based on a system of networked temperature sensors. This system does not deal with the type of heating elements, their shape and performance.

According to the inventor, there is no solution that has the identical set of elements, materials and functionalities to that disclosed in the subject invention.

Short description of the solution of the problem

Electric radiator derived/casted from a material with permanent thermal conductivity properties, In a shape that allows installation as a decorative element or a work of art in the space in which heating elements and a control device are incorporated, with the possibility of remote control, multi-level efficiency is enabled. The specific solution foresees a heating device - a housing that is an artistically shaped form made of durable materials on whose internal surfaces a heater is placed, and which are controlled by means of microcontroller and includes the use of sensors and data related to the use of space and user routines to achieve a comfortable and efficient heating. Detailed description of the invention

Description of the images

For a better understanding of the subject invention, we use three figures given to clarify the aspects that are important for understanding the invention.

Figure 1 presents a front (A) and rear (B) view of a possible design of the radiator body, where the marked positions have the following meaning:

1.1. Housing-body of the radiator in the shape of an art object,

1.2. Construction volleyballs,

1.3. Housing of electronic assemblies,

1.4. Cantilever rail (bracket) for body mounting,

1.5. Attachment elements.

The appearance of the exterior shown in this image is illustrative in nature. The shapes and final appearances of the body, as well as the mechanisms and methods of attachment may vary depending on the performance and the material used. The solutions presented in the continuation of this specification, although they include it, do not refer exclusively to the given appearance.

Figure 2 represents a functional drawing containing a layout of the elements that make up the invention and a principal diagram of the interconnection between the modules that are included in the device. In addition to the markings of the components, the relationships of connection, fit and functionality of the entire system are marked.

2. 2. Flexible polyamide electric heating element - Kapton ^® heater,

2.3. Microprocessor thermometer,

2.4. Microprocessor ambient thermostat,

2.5. Eco heating module,

2.7. Central Control Unit CCU - microcontroller (ARM),

2.8. WiFi module,

2.9. BLE - module for direct Bluetooth communication,

2.10. Mobile device,

2.11. Mobile application, 2.11.1 GPS modem,

2.11.2 Temperature control,

2.11.3 Operating modes,

2.12. internet based Cloud.

Figure 3 is a representation of the principal arrangement of electronic elements found in the housing for electronic assemblies 1.3 in a developed form where the parts for the individual parts are appropriately marked. Additional marks have the following meaning

3.1 Power connector,

3.2 Static semiconductor relay,

3.3 Connecting places for the heater,

3.4 Microprocessor.

At the same time, all the designated parts can be integrated into one integral board or connected through properly designed communication interfaces.

Detailed description of the invention

The device that is the subject of the specification (picture 1) represents an electric radiator with a specific appearance of the housing (1.1). The main radiating surface, which looks like an art object, has an additional decorative role. In addition, the body is made of materials that have high thermal conductivity, non-corrosiveness and the property of uniform heat emission such as stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, brass or a combination of materials that include these properties.

In the realization of the invention, which is shown as an example in figure 1(B), a possible performance of the rear part of the body of a radiator consisting of two segments, according to figure 1A, is presented. Meanwhile, inside one of the segments there is a housing (1.3) for housing the electrical assemblies, as well as display elements (1.5) that serve to fasten the radiator to a cantilever support (1.4) or to interconnect the segments.

On the back side of the radiation surfaces 1.1 flexible polyamide heaters type Kapton ^® (Kapton ^® - is a registered trademark of Du Pont Electronics) are placed/fastened by means of conductive in a way that allows them to be connected to a module (2.5) for electronic switching which, due to the way of operation and identification needs in the specification we use the term eco-module (2.5). Depending on the number of segments, the number of polyamide heaters can vary in order to allow a larger radiation surface of the radiator body. The polyamide heaters are connected and managed by a microprocessor controller, (APM) i.e. Central Control Unit (Main Control Unit) (2.7) which is responsible for establishing all modes of operation. As input sensors, the microcontroller device has: the microprocessor thermometer 2.3 for measuring the inside of the body of the radiator, as well as the microprocessor ambient thermostat (2.4), intended for monitoring the temperature in the room, in addition to sensor (2.3 and 2.4) and switch modules (2.3), the Central Control Unit is equipped with communication modules (2.8 and 2.9) that serve for wireless network communication WiFi module (2.9) and for direct wireless communication with other devices, BLE-Module (2.9). Through these devices it is possible to use management that enables efficient use of energy and enables optimal work modes.

The overall management is realized using a mobile device (2.10) on which an appropriate software application (2.11) is installed, for viewing and managing the parameters of the radiator (1.1), through an appropriate network cloud solution (2.12) that integrates data and parameters from the device, a GPS modem for determining the geographic location of the user and preprogrammed work schedules that are based on the user's rutine and movement.

The operation of the radiator, which is the subject of the invention, is realized by the management of the heater/heaters and the modes in which they enter to realize the function. The flexible polyamide electric heater (2.1) is designed in a way that allows the inclusion of segments or smaller heaters depending on the needs, using several semiconductor relays located in the eco module (2.5).

The eco-module (2.5) with feedback from the sensors (2.3 and 2.4), through the Central Control Unit (2.7) can implement a PID control loop, which allows achieving the desired modes depending on all input and control signals. This management is additionally used during the realization of other functionalities that the subject invention has.

Under normal conditions, the initialization of the radiator 1.1 starts the connection of the Central Unit and its sensor management sub-modules, through the network module with a suitable Internet cloud solution that serves to obtain all the parameters needed to manage a mobile device (2.10), on which an application for radiator management. From the mobile device (2.10), it can be accessed by direct bluetooth (BT) communication through the BLE module, using the same application for local management of the radiator (1.1). The difference from the set temperature values, the current air temperature given by the ambient thermostat 2.4 and the device temperature given by the internal microprocessor thermometer (2.3) dictate the PID control. The Cloud solution and the use of a user interface, which is not tied to the device, allows one radiator to be controlled by multiple devices, that is, to register multiple radiators on one mobile device and/or to assign individual or group settings to all of them, modes of operation. The application enables remote management of each of the devices, and separate management of each of them. In addition to the remote control of the radiator with the mobile device, it is possible to set seven-day operating modes depending on the user's routines,

The application uses the geographical location of the mobile device and based on the entered geographical location where the radiator is installed can turn on the radiator on automatic detection or signal that it is directed to the location where the device is installed. At the same time, depending on the speed of movement, the Central Unit communicates the mode, through the PID control loop, and based on the sensor parameters and the set temperature in order to synchronize the achievement of the set temperature with entering the room.

In order to avoid unwanted energy losses and keep the ambient temperature at the desired level when opening a window in the Central Unit (2.7), a function is programmed that measures the rate of temperature drop and accordingly initiates the PID management of the device. At the same time, the eco-module (2.5) (includes additional power to overcome the sudden drop in temperature, if it is short-lived or if the duration of the drop in temperature is longer, the operation of the heater is interrupted.

Upon a sudden reading of a drop in the ambient temperature, which is monitored by the ambient thermostat (2.4), and which the central unit registers continuously, the device turns off the active heaters (2.2). This is in order to avoid unnecessary activity in conditions of active temperature drop. If the fail continues after an additional time interval, which indicates that there is an abundant entry of cold air into the room, the procedure foresees the activation of a sound/light alarm that signals the condition, and additionally turns on the heating mode accordingly to avoid cooling below the permitted level of a heated room.

A modification of the management mode associated with an event causing a sudden drop in temperature takes into account the following drop rate and drop time. Given that they may depend on the weather conditions and the configuration of the space in which the electric radiator Is installed, for that reason the procedure provides for calibration with previously set measurement and control modes obtained in laboratory conditions. At the same time, depending on the environment, position and external conditions, assumed measurement limits and temperature differences are set, which are given as pre-defined. Beyond the laboratory predefined measurements, when the device is in a real environment., where the number of influencing factors is greater, there is an additional option for calibration with the subjective temperature that uses the mobile application 2.11 to input independently measured temperatures in the room being heated . In this way, in the Central Control Unit (2.7) it is possible to program a function that maintains the temperature at a time when there is a presence near the device determined on the basis of the proximity of the mobile device (2.10) and its local movement.

By using the current position of the user, which is obtained from the data of the mobile device (2.10) with which the user controls the radiator and by comparing it with the location where the device is registered during initialization, a function is established in the Central Control Unit (2.7) reaching and maintaining a preset temperature. If the location of the device does not match, the device enters shutdown mode if wireless connection with the Central Control Unit via BLE (2.9) or WiFi (2.8) module.

The electronic modules included In the invention, the electronic static relays (3.2), which consist of the eco module (2.5), the communication modules (2.8 and 2.9) and the electronic thermometer (2.3) and the ambient thermostat (2.4), as well as the central control unit ( 2.7) constitute a single electronic assembly on which appropriate connection terminals for energy and sensor connection are made. Although a performance, which would include modular integration of the elements, through appropriate connection interfaces, is not excluded, ths concrete solution allows an optimized and predictable realization of a controller on an integral board that can be placed Io a compact ease (13). The number of heater segments as well as the static relays (3.2) is illustrative in nature and may vary depending on the shape and capacity of the radiator being operated,

The bodies of the radiators are not limited in terms of shape, as long as they can emit heat and have casings that are directed towards the space in which they are placed. The functionalities that enable ths solution covered in this specification as a whole are not present in a device or decorative, artistic object that is similar or identical to the one covered in the specification.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. An electric radiator that includes a specially shaped outer shell made of heat- conducting material, which forms the main radiation surface (1.1), electrical connections, thermal sensors and flexible heaters applied to a polyamide film and glued to the Inner part of the wall of the outer shell of the radiator, with a plurality of connections, a plurality of static semiconductor relays (3.2), temperature sensors (2.3 and 2.4) and a central control unit (2.7), is characterized by that the management of the heaters takes place through a degree of electronic on/off with static semiconductor relays directly controlled from a central control unit (2.7) based on the feedback from the sensors (2.3 and 2.4), through an established PID control loop that enables regulation of the heating speed and continuous maintenance of temperature in the heated space.

2. The electric radiator according to claim 1, is characterized by that the central control unit (2.7) is connected to communication modules (2.8 and 2.9) that serve for wireless network communication through a WiFi module (2.8) and for direct wireless communication with other devices, BLE-Module (2.9) which enables insight and management of radiator parameters (1.1), through a graphical interface on a mobile computer device equipped for network communication through a browser or a suitable software application.

3. The electric radiator according to claims 1 and 2, is characterized in that the management through a computer system includes a network cloud (cloud) solution (2.12) that integrates data and parameters from the device, geographical data for the device and the user and pre-programmed work schedules.

4. An electric heater control unit providing a central control unit for including a plurality of electric heater segments, a communication module, and an application installed on a user’s mobile communication computing device having a geo-location GPS modem, and through which the control data is sent to the control unit is characterized in that based on the geographical location, where the device is installed and the distance at which the user is located, upon arrival signal to the space where the device is installed, a mode is communicated, through the PID control loop, which will synchronize the arrival to the user when the set temperature is reached.

5. Management of an electric radiator, which provides for a central control unit, an ambient thermostat and an electronic thermometer, semiconductor static relays and a central control unit in which the mode is programmed, is characterized by that, based on the comparison of temperature readings, the rate of fall of the temperature is determined temperature and initiates the PID control of the device accordingly.

6. Management of an electric radiator according to claim 5 is characterized by that, if the temperature drop is greater for a short time of operation, the heaters are turned off, when the temperature drop stops at a certain interval, a regular mode is established, and in case of a large long-term drop in temperature, the heating mode is turned on to avoid complete cooling of the room.

7. The electric radiator according to the requirements from 1 to 4, is characterized by that the electronic moduies, the electronic static relays (3.2), the communication modules (2.8) and (2.9) and the electronic thermometer and thermostat (2.3), (2.4), as well as the central control unit (2.7) consists of a single electronic assembly on which appropriate connection terminals for energy and sensor connection are made.