FR3064360A1 - ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING A LIQUID ENVIRONMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic system for the analysis of a liquid medium comprising a body (20) floating on the surface of a liquid medium. The body (20) comprises: a sealed part (21) comprising a control unit (23) of the system and connected to: a communication module (39), a light source (25, 42), an accelerometer (41), a submerged part comprising quality sensors of the liquid medium measuring the pH, the electrical conductivity, the temperature, the electro-reduction potential, said sensors being connected to the control unit, the system changes color of the light source when information from the system is above or below a predetermined threshold of the database.

Description

(57) The invention relates to an electronic system for the analysis of a liquid medium comprising a body (20) floating on the surface of a liquid medium. The body (20) comprises: a sealed part (21) comprising a control unit (23) of the system and connected to: a communication module (39), a light source (25, 42), an accelerometer (41), an immersed part comprising quality sensors of the liquid medium measuring the pH, the electrical conductivity, the temperature, the electroreduction potential, said sensors being connected to the control unit, the system changes the color of the light source when information from the system is above or below a predetermined threshold in the database.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic system for the analysis of a liquid medium. It applies, in particular, to the measurement of water in a swimming pool.

STATE OF THE ART

In a swimming pool, in order to keep water clear and suitable for swimming, certain water indicators must be checked regularly: pH, chlorine and alkalinity levels ... Out of their standards, the user must act to rebalance its water, usually using chemicals.

The control of the water, if it was not thought of when designing the pool with specific and expensive tools, is done manually: tabs or samples for chemical reaction. The measurements can be imprecise and involve being near the swimming pool. A late analysis assumes more products to use and reduced pool availability. Users are waiting for an intermediate solution between the automated processing machinery and the tabs.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

To this end, the present invention relates to an electronic system for the analysis of a liquid medium comprising a body floating on the surface of a liquid medium, remarkable in that the body comprises:

- a watertight part comprising a system control unit and connected to:

a communication module, a light source comprising at least three colors, an accelerometer, a database,

- a submerged part comprising quality sensors of the liquid medium measuring the pH, the electrical conductivity, the temperature, the electroreduction potential, said sensors being connected to the control unit, the system changes color of the source bright when information from the system is above or below a predetermined threshold in the database.

Thanks to these provisions, the system makes it possible to analyze the water in the liquid medium while indicating the quality of the water thanks to the light source.

The invention is advantageously implemented according to the embodiments and the variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or according to any technically effective combination.

In one embodiment, a communication module uses at least one of the following methods: radio waves, for example UHF, light, for example infrared, sound, for example infrasonic or ultrasonic and / or communication specifications over a network, for example Bluetooth, Wi-fi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, UNB and LoRaWAN.

UNB is an acronym for "Ultra narrow band" in English terminology for ultra narrow band. UNB technology makes it possible to build a low-speed cellular network, energy efficient, used by SIGFOX (registered trademark, French telecom operator).

LoRaWAN is the acronym for Long Range Wide-area network in English terminology which can be translated as "extended long range network".

In one embodiment, the light source comprises at least one LED. DEL is the acronym for light-emitting diode or in English terminology: Light-Emitting Diode, LED).

In one embodiment, the sealed part comprises a battery. Thus, the system is autonomous in energy, there is no need to replace the battery. Energy consumption has been reduced to a minimum. A contactless recharging module has been installed and allows a complete recharging of the system in a few hours. To do this, simply place the body on its receptacle (previously connected to the mains).

In one embodiment, the sealed part comprises a photovoltaic cell. Thus, a photovoltaic cell has been integrated and enables day-to-day recharging of the battery.

In one embodiment, the system includes a communicating terminal adapted for system control.

The communicating terminal is, for example:

- a digital tablet,

- a mobile telephone, in particular of the “smartphone” type,

- a connected watch,

- connected glasses,

- a remote control,

- a helmet or

- a computer,

- a virtual reality headset,

- a connected television,

- a game console, or

- an internet box

In one embodiment, the measurement by the sensors is activated remotely by the communicating terminal.

In one embodiment, the measurement by the water quality sensors is activated according to the measurement data of the accelerometer.

In one embodiment, the measurement by the sensors of the system is carried out in the wake-up period situated between two standby periods, each standby period corresponds to a duration of at least 6 hours.

In one embodiment, the measurement by the sensors of the system is carried out when the system switches from standby mode to an alarm mode, the alarm mode is activated by at least one of the following elements: a button positioned on the body , and a wavelet form of the liquid medium identified by the control unit from data from the accelerometer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other advantages, aims and characteristics of the present invention emerge from the description which follows, given for explanatory purposes and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows, in diagram, elements of a particular embodiment of the system object of the present invention;

- Figure 2 shows a diagram of part of the embodiment of Figure 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 represent a diagram of an example of a particular embodiment of the system which is the subject of the present invention,

FIGS. 5 and 6 represent a diagram of another example of a particular embodiment of the system which is the subject of the present invention,

- Figure 7 shows in flowchart the operation of the system according to a particular embodiment of the system object of the present invention;

FIG. 8 represents a curve detected by the system,

- Figure 9 shows in the form of a flowchart, steps implemented in a particular embodiment of the system object of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Analysis of the system's data guides the owner of a liquid medium in the maintenance of his pond.

The system gives a first visual indication of the state of the pool water thanks to its light system which changes color depending on the quality of the water.

These values are restored precisely on a terminal application and are accompanied by advice on the maintenance actions to be carried out if necessary.

In the event of an indicator fault, the user is immediately notified even if he is not at home.

FIG. 1 describes an exemplary embodiment of the electronic system for the analysis of a liquid medium. The liquid medium is water. The system comprises a body 20 floating in water.

The body includes:

- a sealed part 21 comprising a control unit 23 of the system and connected to:

a communication element 24 (antenna), a light source 25, an accelerometer,

- an immersed part 22 comprising sensors 26 of the quality of the liquid medium measuring the pH (hydrogen potential), the electrical conductivity (EC), the temperature (T), the electro-reduction potential (Redox). The sensors are connected to the control unit 23.

PH is a measure of the chemical activity of H + hydrogen ions (also commonly called protons) in the liquid medium.

The redox potential, or redox potential, is an empirical quantity expressed in volts and denoted E (Mn + / M) with (M) any metal.

This figure also shows a ballast 27 located in the sealed part near the submerged part 22, a battery 28 positioned in the sealed part. Between the sealed part 21 and the submerged part 22 is a sealing means, such as a sealing joint 29.

On the top of the waterproof part is a capacitive button 30 which has the following functions: switching on / off the device as well as starting the calibration process.

The submerged part 22 has openings 31 to allow the free circulation of the liquid in the submerged part 22 and thus allow the sensors to be in contact with the liquid medium.

The sealed part 21 also includes an induction charging module 32a.

Figure 2 shows the receptacle 33 of the body 20 of the system. The induction charging module 32b is shown. The body 20 is housed in the receptacle 33, a polarizing device 34 allows insertion in the right direction so that the induction charging module 32a of the sealed part 21 comes close to the induction charging module 32b of the submerged part 22 The supply of receptacle 33 is provided by a power cord, not shown.

Figures 3 and 4 show a diagram of an example of a particular embodiment of the system. This realization makes it possible to operate under a shutter of a floating swimming pool. Figure 3 is a front view and Figure 4 is a top view.

- Figures 5 and 6 show a diagram of another example according to Figure 1. Figure 5 is a front view and Figure 6 is a top view.

The visible difference is the globe 35, designated in Figures 1 and 5 which diffuses the light. The globe covers the waterproof part 21.

FIG. 7 shows in diagram form the operation of the system.

This figure shows the exchanges with the different elements. The microcontroller card 40 exchanges data with the communication module 39 which sends information either via bluetooth 37 or via sigfox 38. The microcontroller card 40 receives information from the following probes (sensors): temperature probe 43, pH probe 44 , Redox 45 probe and EC probe. The microcontroller card 40 is also connected to an accelerometer 41 and an LED 42. A terminal 36 exchanges information directly with the system by bluetooth 37 or via the internet and communicates with the system by sigfox 38. The system exchanges information with the database 47 to know the thresholds of the sensors and to change the color of the LED 42.

Microprocessors:

In an exemplary embodiment, the control unit comprises a low power type microprocessor translated by low battery in French. Microprocessors have become more and more efficient in terms of energy consumption.

The microprocessors consume around a few microamps in standby mode, but during this mode, their capacity is very limited:

- no sensor measurement is possible

- no radio frequency transmission is possible.

It is therefore a question of waking up this microprocessor only when necessary.

During these waking phases, the power consumption is much higher and depends essentially on what it is in charge of doing (up to 100 mA).

Current batteries at good price and good performance have discharge capacities of the order of 1500mA Hour.

For a consumption of the order of 100 mA, a battery could therefore supply energy for approximately: 15 hours, that is to say less than a day.

Energy management

The primary purpose of the electronic system for the analysis of a liquid medium is to measure parameters of the liquid medium using electrochemical probes and to restore these parameters to a terminal communicating wirelessly or to a remote wireless server as well.

Definition of the frequency of measurements of water parameters:

In an exemplary embodiment, the parameters having a high inertia, we decided to measure them every 8 hours.

In another embodiment, the quality parameters of the liquid medium vary more quickly during activity in the pool or in the event of significant external phenomena such as:

- thunderstorms

- significant temperature variation

- draining or refilling the pool.

- human presence in the pool.

Thus, the measurement by the water quality sensors is activated according to the measurement data of the accelerometer.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the probes (sensors) which equip the system are replaced easily and directly by the user, by a simple clip of plug and play type which means "connect and play" or "plug and play", is a procedure allowing recent devices to be recognized quickly and automatically by the system.

The replacement of one or more probes is very simple thanks to the integration of specially customized probes and integrating a suitable fixing and connection system.

Each probe can be replaced independently of the others.

Means of communication:

In an exemplary embodiment and for communication to the communicating terminal, the Bluetooth LowEnergy (Bluetooth BLE) is the best option in terms of electrical consumption.

In an exemplary embodiment and for communication to the communicating terminal of the remote server type, the two existing networks LoRaWan and Sigfox are preferred.

Power consumption measurement:

According to one example, a Bluetooth module in "listening" mode (before pairing with 1 communicating terminal) consumes approximately 10 mA at 3.3 volts, when transmitting information, it can consume up to 20 mA.

Concerning Sigfox, it is a question of sending this data only when a new measurement of probes is valid (that is to say every 8 H approximately).

During the 14 dB transmission phase, a sigfox / Lora module consumes approximately 50 mA at 3.3 volts.

The calculation of the lifetime on the previously specified battery is therefore just under 150 hours for a 1500 mAh battery.

Indeed, the Sigfox / Lora consumption is negligible given its frequency, only the Bluetooth pairing consumption is taken into account, ie 10 mA.

Wake up mode

In order to reduce Bluetooth consumption, it is therefore a question of finding a way to wake up the Bluetooth module by any remote control.

The difficulties are:

- the object is in the middle of a swimming pool;

- it is waterproof and the user must avoid having to reach his object to wake him up;

- the solution must be energy efficient.

According to an exemplary embodiment, it is a question of awakening the system by detecting a wave on the liquid fluid which will make the object oscillate, therefore the use of the data of the accelerometer makes it possible to wake up the object.

In addition, the accelerometer has the advantage of being very energy efficient. Indeed, powered, the sensors meet our needs and consume around 2 μΑ.

However, the only difficulty with this solution is the determination of external events such as:

- rain

- wind

- presence in the pool that can generate a ripple, that is to say an awakening of the unwanted object.

Determination of accelerometer / gateway scenarios

An example of a manual wavelet is represented on one of these axes by the sinusoid in FIG. 8 (X: time, Y amplitude).

This representation is extrapolated on an additional axis. In the case of climatic events such as intense rain or presence in the swimming pool, the sinusoid is much more anarchic with a higher Dt.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the algorithm for managing the alarm clock of the system is represented in FIG. 9.

The alarm clock management algorithm is used to represent the functioning of the system alarm clock.

Step 101 represents the start of the algorithm. Step 102 represents the system standby for 60ms. Between two watches, the system retrieves the data X, Y and Z of its position, step 103. Then, the algorithm checks whether there is any question of a wavelet in step 104.

If it is a ripple, step 106 wakes up the bluetooth function to wait for a pairing for 2 minutes in step 109. The ripple indicates that it is a user who wishes to wake up the system.

If a terminal is paired in step 110, the system waits for a command or for management in step 111. After receiving the command, that is, there is a disconnection from the terminal in step 112 and we return to l step 102, either a new command or a management of step 111 is awaited.

If it is not a control wavelet in step 104, then the system goes to step 107 at the end of the event: presence, rain, etc. There are two possible choices at the end of the step 107: either the system detects that the condition of having an event is fulfilled (presence in the swimming pool, rain ...) which does not require the system to be awakened, then we return to step 102; either the system does not detect the condition of an untimely event, proceeds to step 108 of waking up the bluetooth, measuring the sensors. Following step 108, the system returns to step 109 and the remainder has been discussed above.

The floating body of the system is almost immobile, it wakes up every 60 ms very briefly (a few ps) to measure its oscillations. The technical effect is to have a very low power consumption.

The body moves according to x / y / z values, when the amplitude of oscillation decreases, we determine whether it is an event or a wake-up wave.

If it is a wavelet, we wait for a terminal to be paired for 2 minutes for order processing until the terminal is disconnected for a return to standby mode.

If this is an event, the system goes into alarm mode, the measurements of the sensors are carried out and transmitted in RF (radio frequency) then we wait for the possible pairing of a terminal then processing of orders.

Thus, these data come from the accelerometer which allows to reduce the time of activity of the electronic system and thus to reduce energy consumption.

The analysis of the ripples of the water surface that the accelerometer allows to detect several forms of activity in the pool.

Calculation of average power consumption

The calculation of the theoretical electric consumption was made from the following assumptions:

- 3 measurements per day (duration of the measurements approximately 10 seconds for good chemical stability of the waves)

- 3 Sigfox / Lora shipments per day

- 2 pairings per day + transmission of information

- 5 Bluetooth alarm clocks per day (use of the swimming pool, weather events)

Or a total consumption:

Sensor measurements: 50 mA * 10 seconds * 3 = 150 mA for 10 seconds

Send sigfox: 50 mA * 4 seconds * 3 = 150 mA for 4 seconds

Bluetooth transmission: 2 * 20 mA * 10 seconds = 40 mA for 10

Bluetooth pairing standby: 10 mA * 120 seconds * 5 = 50 mA for 240 seconds

The overall consumption per day is therefore: 14500 mA second or 4.03 mA hour

For a battery with a capacity of 1500 mAH, the average total lifespan of: 372 days or about 1 year.

Light

According to an exemplary embodiment, LEDs are installed on the top of the system body. LEDs are very energy consuming, much more consuming than sensors, sigfox / Lora and bluetooth modules.

The system being quite substantial, there are LEDs at the 4 corners in order to have a regular brightness over the entire surface of the object.

The LEDs consume up to 50 mA in operation with peaks on the order of 100 mA.

The body has an LED and is the only connected object that analyzes swimming pools that is bright.

This light (from 4 LEDs) allows:

- to give a first simple visual information, on the water quality.

- to add fun and decorative functionality by lighting the pool in the evening or at night.

The data coming from the sensors undergo a first preprocessing directly thanks to the microcontroller of the system.

This pretreatment identifies common water faults and thus varies the color of the device's wake-up light.

The associated color code is as follows:

- Green color: no measure requires corrective action.

- Blue color: at least one measurement is at the limit of normality. Supervision advised.

- Red color: at least one measurement is outside the limits. Action is required (refer to the dedicated mobile application).

Data

The measurement data is then transferred to be stored in a web-hosted database (Cloud).

The communication channels used are:

Bluetooth, when the user is close to the device

In this case, the data passes through the smartphone and is then sent back to the database thanks to the wireless connection.

An autonomous communication channel, that is to say one that does not require the presence of a smartphone or a user close to the device.

The protocols implemented today are Sigfox, Lora as well as the Zigbee, Zwave protocols. (Z-Wave is a radio protocol designed for home automation (lighting, heating ...).

Once stored in the database, the data is analyzed in order to be transformed into data relevant to the end user.

This data is then displayed via the dedicated mobile application.

The measures, if any, trigger the sending of a notification to the user, through the dedicated mobile application.

Examples of use cases triggering notifications:

- low battery: charge using the receptacle. For example: greater than 3.9 volts: Battery is normal, between 3.9 volts and 3.6 volts, the battery has an average charge, below 3.6 Volts, the battery is weak.

- if the pH is not between 6.8 <pH <7.6: adjust the pH by adding the dose prescribed by the application.

- water disinfectant rate too low detected (for example at pH = 7.2, the REDOX measured is less than 650 mV): add a disinfectant product according to the recommendations of the application.

- inconsistent measurement: Calibrate the probes to check that they are working properly.

- Measure indicating that the probes are no longer submerged.

- Examples of measures:

o Electrical conductivity: 482 pS / cm o Temperature: 26 ° C o pH: 7.24 o Redox potential: 682

- The Mobile application

The terminal has an application dedicated to the system and allows the display of various information relating to the quality of swimming pool water.

This information is:

- Water temperature

- water pH

- Rate of water disinfectant (chlorine, bromine)

- Water hardness

- Water salinity (electrolysis pool)

- Estimated water alkalinity

The application is also used to propose corrective actions to be taken when measured or calculated values no longer conform to ideal values.

Example: add 300 gr of pH plus, in case of pHh too low.

The application also allows you to control the "mood lighting" function. This light management is done by activating the Bluetooth connection between the system and the terminal.

The application allows calibration of the probes by guiding the user through a step-by-step procedure.

Drums

According to another embodiment, to increase the life of the battery, alternative energies such as photovoltaic panels are associated with the system to use the functionality of ambient light and indicator of the state of the water.

According to another embodiment, the battery is recharged by induction.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the system includes alternative energies (solar panel) and a battery for recharging by induction.

The system recharge issues are as follows:

- the object is waterproof, any type of charging connector seems risky.

- the object is in the middle of the swimming pool, it is necessary to avoid that the user must recover it because that is likely to be tiresome.

- swimming pools can be outdoor or indoor.

The first solution is the use of solar panels. Indeed, for outdoor pools, it seems quite suitable. On the other hand, for indoor pools, it is not, as artificial light is often not sufficient for efficient recharging by solar panel. The size of our object obliges us, moreover, to a limited solar panel of the order of 10 * 10 cm.

The second solution is induction charging which is adapted to the sealing problem. This has the disadvantage of having to remove the object from the pool.

NOMENCLATURE body watertight part submerged part control unit antenna light source load cell sensors battery seal gasket capacitive button opening

32a, 32b Induction charging module polarizing receiver receptacle bluetooth terminal

Sigfox communication module accelerometer microcontroller card

LEDs temperature probe pH probe Redox probe EC probe database

Claims (7)

1. Electronic system for the analysis of a liquid medium comprising a body (20) floating on the surface of a liquid medium, characterized in that the body (20) comprises: - a sealed part (21) comprising a control unit (23) of the system and connected to: a communication module (39), a light source (25, 42) comprising at least two colors, an accelerometer (41), a database, - an immersed part (22) comprising sensors (26, 43, 44, 45, 46) of the quality of the liquid medium measuring the pH, the electrical conductivity, the temperature, the electroreduction potential, said sensors (26, 43, 44, 45, 46) being connected to the control unit (23), the system changes the color of the light source (25, 42) when information coming from the system is above or below a predetermined threshold of the database (47). 2. The electronic system as claimed in claim 1, in which a communication module (39) uses at least one of the following methods: radio waves, for example UHF (acronym for Ultra High Frequency), light, for example infrared, sound, for example example infrasonic or ultrasonic and / or communication specifications on a network, for example Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-fi (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), Z-Wave (registered trademark), UNB (registered trademark) and LoRaWAN (registered trademark). 3. The electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the light source (25, 42) comprises at least one LED. 4. The electronic system as claimed in claim 1, in which the sealed part comprises a battery (28). 5. Electronic system according to claim 1, in which the sealed part (21) comprises a photovoltaic cell. 5 6. The electronic system as claimed in claim 1, in which the system comprises a communicating terminal (36) suitable for controlling the system. 7. The electronic system as claimed in claim 6, in which the measurement by the sensors is activated remotely by the communicating terminal. 1/3