DE202006006743U1 - Temperature indicator device for hot water tank of solar thermal plant, has variable color display units and levels in accumulator so that coloring of representation in units is measure for temperature in corresponding level - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has variable color display units (16) for displaying the temperature of a heat accumulator. Different levels (17) are provided in the accumulator, so that respective coloring of the representation in the display units is a measure for the temperature in the corresponding level. The units have LEDs for emitting lights of different colors, and are controlled based on the acquired temperature with variable intensities.

Description

The The invention relates to a display device for a heat storage, in particular a hot water tank a solar system or a wood heating, with a temperature sensor for Detecting a temperature in the heat accumulator and with a display element to represent the detected temperature.

Out DE 297 09 218 U1 a temperature display for a provided with a temperature sensor heater is known, which is connected to a display controlling evaluation. The display should be formed by only two light fields with different colors, one of which signals a falling below a desired temperature and the other their achievement.

In addition, a heat energy storage for supplying buildings with latently and sensitively stored heat energy, with a non-pressurized, large-volume container, which is externally provided with a heat insulation and filled with a heat transfer fluid, from DE 94 18 656 U1 known. An operating state of the heat accumulator should be able to be displayed by means of thermometers permanently installed in three zones of the container, this display being intended to be used in conjunction with an outside temperature sensor for a control.

Furthermore, it is off DE 296 08 905 U1 a device for indicating a temperature of a liquid contained in a liquid container, wherein a highly thermally conductive layer of metal, which is attached to the liquid container, a liquid crystal display arranged on this layer having a plurality of display areas, each of which at a certain temperature has certain color, and a liquid crystal display covering protective layer are provided.

It is from DE-GM 70 23 722 a display device for in a heat storage device contained heat known, which arranged one in the heat storage device Heat sensor acted upon. It is provided, funds for the display and optionally a device for the conversion to arrange the measured temperature in a spatially independent of the heat storage device housing. The heat sensor is arranged in the heat storage device, and display is provided with a pointer assigned to a scale Meter. A differentiated statement about a heat distribution in the heat storage device is with the aforementioned display device not possible.

Furthermore DE-GM 67 52 905 discloses a heat accumulator with a heat content indicator, wherein the heat content indicator can be actuated by a heat expansion rod associated with a storage core of the heat accumulator. At the front of a case of the heat storage a graduated sight glass of the heat content indicator is attached. The latter has a sliding indicator mark, which, depending on in the Memory core existing amount of heat in the sight glass more or less appears on. The Indicator mark is from the thermal expansion bar which detects the heat present in the memory core. With the aforementioned heat content indicator is an indication about a heat distribution in the heat storage not possible.

Furthermore are generally indicators for temperatures in heat storage known, with measured temperatures numerically on a screen be displayed.

outgoing The invention is based on the object of the prior art to provide a display device of the type mentioned, which is easy to read and a statement about a heat distribution in the heat storage allows.

These Task is solved according to the invention with a Display device of the type mentioned, wherein at least two each level in the heat storage associated color-variable display elements for displaying each a temperature are provided, the levels from each other are different and the respective coloring of the display of the display elements a measure of the temperature is in the appropriate level in the heat storage, the Display elements each have a first light source for emitting light in a first color and a second illuminant for blasting of light in a second color different from the first color and wherein the luminous means depending on the detected Temperature can be controlled with variable intensity. The dependent claims relate particularly expedient developments the invention.

Of particular advantage in the invention is that a fast and reliable reading of the temperature in the heat storage is made possible by means of the color-variable display elements. The level of the temperature can be detected immediately without a potential user of the heat accumulator having to deal with numerical values, their significance, assignment and conversion into qualitatively usable statements. At the same time the display device by means of the two color-variable display elements makes an equally easy, intuitively detectable statement about the heat distribution in the heat storage. This is especially true Hot water storage of a solar system, namely a solar thermal system, or a wood heating of great advantage: For example, in a designed as a hot water tank hot water tank heat energy is optionally supplied to the heat storage with the help of an additional heating to have a sufficient for example for a shower hot water supply available a control of the additional heater could in principle be done, for example, automatically by means of a single sensor arranged on a heat exchanger of the additional heater; In contrast, the invention offers the significant advantage that the user is able to switch by manual intervention even the auxiliary heater. As a result, the actual requirements much more precise corresponding complementary supply of heat energy done, the solar system or wood heating can work more energy efficient and efficient overall. It is also advantageous that with the invention a temporal development of a change in the heat distribution can be mapped. The decision as to whether or not to heat up the user in the invention can be made after a brief glance at the display device. Due to the respective a particular level, that is an altitude in the heat storage, associated display elements, a layering, in particular the position of a separation layer of hot and cold water from outside the heat storage can be easily detected; regularly in hot water tanks is a high layer stability, that is, in the memory up-rising hot water is significantly separated from colder water that remains in the bottom. Advantageously, the invention can completely dispense with numerical displays and at the same time increase the reliability. Fundamental knowledge about the operation of the heat accumulator and in particular about the solar system or a wood heating system that uses the heat storage must not be present in the user thanks to the invention. The time required to control the heat storage is advantageous very low, the control can be done in passing. The invention is due to the enabled with her demand-optimized, energy-saving use of a set heating Although especially for solar systems and wood heating systems in single or two-family homes, but in principle for the visualization of temperatures and their stratification in particular vertical heat storage, especially hot water tanks, any kind to use. Since no numerical display is to be made, comparatively simple and thus inexpensive temperature sensors can advantageously be used in the device according to the invention. Another great advantage of the invention is that in a solar thermal system by means of the display device in a simple way can be performed function, and in particular as to whether a heat input into the system via solar collectors the expected success, that is the expected increase in heat in the heat storage, corresponds. For example, on a sunny day with six to eight hours of sunlight on the solar panels regularly a warming of the heat storage can be expected; If such a through-heating, which can not be detected immediately with the display device according to the invention, does not occur, a defect in the solar-thermal system must be assumed. It is conceivable to provide a common multi-color LED for the color-variable display elements as the light source. On the other hand, the production costs of the display device can advantageously be further reduced by the display elements each having a first light source for emitting light in a first color and a second light source for emitting light in a second color different from the first color, thus easily the effect of color mixing is usable. Also, such different light sources can form not only alone, but optionally together with other elements, for example, with a range of a monochrome liquid crystal display, a display element. In a simple way, a color mixing effect can be enhanced by the fact that the lighting means can be controlled in dependence on the detected temperature with variable intensity. A change in intensity can be effected, for example, by a change in the time average of the operating current of the lighting means.

there means variable intensity in particular a variable light intensity with which the lighting means, especially LEDs (LEDs), light up. The light intensity, the for example, in the unit candela (cd), denotes the brightness of the light source and corresponds to that Proportion of a radiation power of the illuminant, which in one certain solid angle is delivered. Relative to a single Illuminant becomes independent of the luminous intensity of the illuminant an emission area or a distance of an observer, a luminous flux in the specific solid angle described. A variation of the luminous intensity of a luminous means can preferably be achieved by a pulse width modulation, that is by repeated rapid switching on and off of the bulb, wherein the turn-on and turn-off times in the sum constant, in relation to each other but variable, that means variable duty cycle at constant frequency. But it is also conceivable, a variation of luminous intensity for example, by a linearly variable luminous flux, by optical focusing or scattering or by mechanical Reach dazzle.

at the inventively provided at least two light sources are the light intensities of the lamps, in particular the pairs of lamps, in the sum of different color mixtures preferably substantially constant, that is preferably the light intensities in the sum within a tolerance band constant; a respective color mixture is characterized by a different ratio of the light intensities of - in particular two - bulbs caused. It is also conceivable, for example, that a light source chain, especially LED chain, in a first color, for example blue, with constant light intensity is operated, that in each case shares a second color, for example Red, added and that a maximum temperature in the heat storage by a corresponding mixed color, for example, from blue and red the mixed color magenta, with double luminous intensity is pictured. Not applicable in this example, the light source chain in the first color, for Example blue, so receives one a light source chain, in the higher temperatures by larger light intensities exclusively in of the second color, for example red.

A very precise Detection of heat distribution can be achieved if, according to a advantageous development of the invention corresponding to the each associated with a level display elements each have a temperature sensor for Detecting the temperature provided in the appropriate level is. Thus, each temperature sensor detects the temperature in one certain level in the heat storage, and the representation of the detected temperature with this temperature sensor takes place each with the same level associated with the display element.

According to one Another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display elements arranged in a display panel and at different heights. By arrangement The display elements at different heights can already during the reading by the user an intuitive assignment of the display elements to the various levels in the heat storage, which the readability of the display device is further simplified. Preferably, the display elements are arranged vertically above one another. When Display panel can, for example, a display elements having Board or a screen to be provided with the display elements.

Basically it is conceivable, with the color variable display elements an infinite large number merging into one another To represent colors. For a particularly easy and accurate readability of the display device in no time Time, however, it is very beneficial if, according to another development the invention by means of the display elements in each case four to six Color gradations are displayed. It turned out that preferably to provide a representation of five color gradations is. The color gradations are preferably carried out in each case one Temperature difference of 10 K corresponding steps.

The Display device offers particularly diverse display options including variable Display symbols, if according to another advantageous embodiment the invention a color liquid crystal display, for the another name color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is, is provided and different from each other Areas of color liquid crystal display each form a display element.

According to one Another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display elements each at least one LED having a light emitting diode; a other name for LED is LED (Light Emitting Diode). This way can be a special inexpensive and low-maintenance display device can be achieved. The bulbs can for example, to the backlighting of a compared to a Color liquid crystal display cheaper Monochrome liquid crystal display be provided. A light emitting diode can also be a single LED chip be.

A particularly good readability and easy detection of the display results if, according to a advantageous development of the invention of the first light source Light in red color and of the second light source light in blue Color is radiant.

It It has turned out that a lot of information about the heat distribution in the heat storage achieved at the same time still simple design of the display device can be, if according to one another advantageous development of the invention six to ten, in particular eight, each color level assigned to a level in the heat storage Display elements are provided. This is especially the case if the heat storage a height of about 2 m.

According to one Another advantageous embodiment of the invention can be a simpler and achieved very reliable construction of the display device be when the temperature sensor in a chain structure, in particular in the form of a sensor chain, arranged and connected to a digital data bus. by virtue of the data bus, the cabling effort can be kept very low.

It is conceivable for the connection of tempera For example, to provide conventional sensors and display elements, a conventional wiring. On the other hand, it is of particular advantage, in particular for a simple retrofitting of the display device to a heat storage, if according to another embodiment of the invention, the temperature sensor with a first, in particular having a transmitter, controller and the display elements with a second, in particular having a receiver, controller connected are and a data transmission path between the first controller and the second controller is designed as a radio link. Thus, it is also possible to bridge a greater distance between the heat storage and display elements with little effort; For example, the heat storage in a basement of a family home and a display panel with the display elements in a kitchen or a living room can be arranged in a simple manner, so that the user can read the display in his usual living environment constantly, without having to descend, for example, in the basement , Advantageously, a radio transmission over the radio link in each case with a short pulse and in relatively long time intervals, for example, every five minutes done. This results in a low power consumption (with possibly high battery life) and good electromagnetic compatibility.

Easy in construction and inexpensive is it, if according to one Another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the temperature sensor a have digital temperature sensor chip. Preferably, the Temperature sensor chip in the manufacturing simplifying and cheaper Way on a circuit board, in particular a flexible printed circuit board arranged be.

A easy installation of temperature sensors a ferromagnetic heat storage and a defined arrangement with secure heat transfer from the heat storage to the temperature sensors can be achieved if, according to a Another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the temperature sensor a Magnet, in particular a permanent magnet having.

The Display device is particularly for one with little effort feasible retrofitting well suited, if according to a Another advantageous embodiment of the invention, an electrical Battery provided for powering the display device is.

embodiments the invention are shown schematically in the drawing and will be closer below described. The drawing shows in

1 a heat storage and a display device,

2 Color gradations depending on a temperature,

3 Temperature sensor on a wall of a heat accumulator,

4 a temperature sensor and

5 another temperature sensor.

Yourself corresponding elements are in all figures of the drawing provided with the same reference numerals.

1 shows in the form of a schematic diagram of a display device 1 for a generally as a water heater, especially as a hot water tank, trained heat storage 2 a not shown solar system of a family house. The filled with water, for example, arranged in a cellar of the family house heat storage 2 has an outer wall 3 on, the final of an insulating layer 4 is surrounded. In a lower area 5 the heat storage 2 opens a water supply line 6 , and in an upper area 7 the heat storage 2 is an outgoing water extraction pipe 8th connected.

The lower area 5 the heat storage 2 takes a section of one from a pump 9 operated solar circuit 10 for heating the in the heat storage 2 located water, wherein the heated water in the heat storage 2 rises, so that warmer water is always above colder water, especially located in the upper area 7 the heat storage 2 warmer water than in the lower area 5 the heat storage 2 ; depending on the design of the heat storage 2 may be a stratification of the water in the heat storage 2 adjust especially when a water removal through the water extraction line 8th is done. An in the aforementioned pump 9 arranged microphone 11 , which may also be another monitoring element, for example in the form of a magnetic tap, serves to monitor the operation and possibly the function of the pump 9 ,

In the upper area 7 the heat storage 2 is a section of one of another pump 12 operated additional heating circuit 13 , with one not shown, outside the heat storage 2 arranged boiler is connected, arranged. Also with the pump 12 the additional heating circuit 13 is an example of a Mi krofon 14 to monitor the operation and, where appropriate, the function of this pump 12 arranged. By means of the additional cycle 13 may be a heating of water in the heat storage 2 be made, if a the extraction needs of a user corresponding water temperature in the heat storage 2 by means of the solar cycle 10 - For example, due to a prolonged period of bad weather without sunshine - can not be achieved.

The display device 1 points in a display field 15 at different heights, in this embodiment, vertically one above the other, arranged eight color-variable display elements 16 on. The display field 15 is for example arranged on a wall of a living room of the family house in a viewing area.

The display elements 16 each have a first, designed as a light emitting diode illuminating means for emitting light in a first color and a second, designed as a light emitting diode for emitting light in a different color of the first color on the second color. From the first light source is light in red color and of the second light source light in blue color can be emitted. The bulbs are in dependence on a detected temperature in the heat storage 2 controllable with variable intensity.

Each one of the display elements 16 is one of eight levels 17 in the heat storage 2 assigned, the levels 17 are different from each other. Corresponding to each one level 17 associated display elements 16 is each a temperature sensor 18 for detecting the temperature, that is specifically the water temperature, in the appropriate level 17 intended. The eight temperature sensors 18 lie on the outer wall 3 the heat storage 2 at. The respective coloring of the representation of the color-variable display elements is a measure of the temperature in the corresponding level 17 in the heat storage 2 ,

In detail, by means of the display elements 16 each of five color gradations, including the red color and the blue color, representable. The blue color is assigned a comparatively lower measured temperature than the red color. Thus results - if the water in the heat storage 2 not completely warmed, but not completely cooled - about the eight display elements 16 from bottom to top a transition from a blue to a red display of the display elements 16 , The relative arrangement of the display elements 16 each other corresponds to the relative arrangement of the associated temperature sensor 18 at the heat storage 2 , It is clear where, that is, at what level, the interface between warm water and cold water in the heat storage 2 lies. From the location of the separation layer immediately results in the amount of still available hot water and thus, if necessary, the need for the boiler and the additional heating circuit 13 put into operation. Basically, the additional heating circuit 13 be put into operation manually or automatically.

The temperature sensors 18 are in a chain structure 19 arranged in the form of a sensor chain and to a digital data bus 20 connected. In addition, the temperature sensors 18 with a first controller comprising a transmitter 21 to which also the above-mentioned microphones 11 . 14 are connected, connected, and the display elements 16 are with a second, a receiver comprehensive controller 22 connected. A data transmission link 23 between the aforementioned controllers 21 . 22 the display device 1 is as a radio link 24 educated.

Additional, in the area of the display panel 15 arranged, designed as LEDs bulbs 33 . 34 Provide information about the operating status and, if applicable, the function of the pumps mentioned above 9 . 12 ,

In 2 is for a display device 1 to 1 exemplifies the color of a certain level 17 assigned display element 16 depending on the means of the with this display element 16 corresponding temperature sensor 18 detected temperature in the aforementioned level 17 shown. Every temperature sensor 18 is an indicator 16 associated with a light-emitting diode pair of blue and red LEDs. The LEDs of a pair are in the respective display element 16 close to each other, and each of them radiated light is preferably performed together via an optical waveguide, so that a good color mixture is formed. If, for example, at a higher measured temperature, the red LED is driven more strongly than the blue LED, then the color impression of a viewing user of the display device shifts 1 to a red representation, in the opposite case appears the representation of the display element 16 in a higher blue color.

It can be seen that by means of the display element 16 five color gradations from blue (A) to blue-blue-red (predominantly blue with red component) (B), blue-red (equal blue and red components) (C), blue-red-red (predominantly red with blue component) (D) to red (E) are displayed. In blue (A) are temperatures of 5 ° C to 25 ° C, in blue-blue-red (B) temperatures of 25 ° C to 35 ° C, in blue-red (C) Tempe Temperatures from 45 ° C to 55 ° C and in red (E) temperatures from 55 ° C to 90 ° C are displayed. Thus possible measurement errors, in particular due to tolerances of the temperature sensor 18 , do not lead to implausible displays, switching edges of quantization thresholds in the display can be advantageously smoothed. In order to prevent implausible displays, in particular a layering of colder water above warmer water, a plausibility check with suppression of implausible values can additionally be carried out on the software side, that is to say in the case of a computer-aided evaluation of measured values of the temperature sensors.

3 shows in a sectional detail view the two lowest temperature sensors 18 the display device 1 to 1 , The temperature sensors 18 are with a four-core ribbon cable running connection cable 30 connected to a data bus and each have a cup-shaped, in particular deep-drawn, stainless steel sleeve as a housing 25 on. The data bus is the same as the one above 1 called data bus 20 in particular a data connection to which more than two subscribers can be connected; In this case, the data bus is physically a line system with associated control components, which serves for the exchange of data and / or energy between hardware components. The connection cable 30 For example, it can also be replaced by a flexible printed circuit board. At the bottom of the case 25 is always a magnet 26 , For example, a neodymium magnet, arranged which magnet 26 the respective temperature sensor 18 on the outer wall 3 of heat storage ferromagnetic holding.

In the area of the bottom of the housing 25 is also an addressable digital temperature sensor chip 27 on a circuit board 32 is arranged. The circuit board 32 is only required if - as in this example - a ribbon cable as a connection cable 30 is provided. However, a flexible circuit board instead of the connection cable 30 used, so can the (further) circuit board 32 on which the temperature sensor chip 27 is disposed of. In the latter case, the temperature sensor chip can be contacted directly on the flexible printed circuit board. magnet 26 and temperature sensor chip 27 are by means of a thermal adhesive 28 shed. An insulating potting compound 29 closes the temperature sensor 18 each from. It is also conceivable on the Magne th 26 to dispense and instead the housing 25 for example by means of a bond to the outer wall 3 to fix.

A temperature sensor 18 with one on a circuit board 32 arranged temperature sensor chip 27 and a connection cable 30 , wherein temperature sensor chip 27 and connection cable 30 by means of a shrink tube 31 coated and sheathed, shows 4 in a sectioned side view. Such a temperature sensor 18 is suitable, for example, for an original equipment of heat storage for solar systems.

Another temperature sensor 18 with one on a circuit board 32 arranged temperature sensor chip 27 and with a magnet 26 , wherein the temperature sensor chip 27 , the magnet 26 and a connection cable 30 for the temperature sensor chip 27 in a housing designed as a stainless steel sleeve 25 arranged and by means of a potting compound 29 shed, shows 5 in a sectioned side view. This temperature sensor 18 is particularly suitable for retrofitting existing heat storage of solar systems.

Also with the in 4 . 5 shown temperature sensors 18 can the respective connection cable 30 by a flexible printed circuit board, possibly omitting the respective temperature sensor chip 27 carrying circuit board 32 , be replaced; in such a case, the temperature sensor chip 27 be arranged directly on the flexible circuit board.

Claims (13)

Display device for a heat accumulator, in particular a hot water storage of a solar system or a wood heating, with a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in the heat accumulator and with a display element for representing the detected temperature, wherein at least two each one level ( 17 ) in the heat storage ( 2 ) associated color-variable display elements ( 16 ) are provided for displaying one temperature at a time, the levels ( 17 ) are different from each other and the respective coloring of the representation of the display elements ( 16 ) a measure of the temperature at the appropriate level ( 17 ) in the heat storage ( 2 ), the display elements ( 16 ) each have a first light source for emitting light in a first color and a second light source for emitting light in a different color from the first color second color and wherein the light emitting means in response to the detected temperature with variable intensity can be controlled. Display device according to claim 1, characterized in that corresponding to each one level ( 17 ) associated display elements ( 16 ) each have a temperature sensor ( 18 ) for detecting the temperature in the corresponding level ( 17 ) is provided. Display device according to at least one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the display elements ( 16 ) in a display field ( 15 ) and are arranged at different heights. Display device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of the display elements ( 16 ) each four to six color gradations are displayed. Display device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a color liquid-crystal display is provided and in that different areas of the color liquid-crystal display are each a display element ( 16 ) form. Display device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display elements ( 16 ) each have at least one LED having a light emitting means. Display device according to at least one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that of the first light source in red color and from the second bulb light in blue color is radiant. Display device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that six to ten each one level ( 17 ) in the heat storage ( 2 ) associated color-variable display elements ( 16 ) are provided. Display device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature sensors ( 18 ) in a chain structure ( 19 ) and to a digital data bus ( 20 ) are connected. Display device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature sensors ( 18 ) with a first controller ( 21 ) and the display elements ( 16 ) with a second controller ( 22 ) and that a data transmission link ( 23 ) between the first controller ( 21 ) and the second controller ( 22 ) as a radio link ( 24 ) is trained. Display device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature sensors ( 18 ) a digital temperature sensor chip ( 27 ) exhibit. Display device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature sensors ( 18 ) a magnet ( 26 ) exhibit. Display device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electric battery for supplying energy to the display device ( 1 ) is provided.