DE3940976A1 - Heating radiator control system - uses transmission of digital control signals via HF carrier fed along current supply network - Google Patents

Abstract

The control system uses the current supply network (10) for transmitting digital control signals from a central control point (ST) to a reception stage (E) providing an output control signal for the radiator (H). The control stage (ST) incorporates a further reception circuit for comparing the signals to be transmitted with existing signals received from the network (10) to prevent collisions. Pref. the transmission from the control stage (ST) is interrupted when a likely collision is detected, with the transmission re-instated after a defined interval. USE - For centralised control of heating radiators.

Description

Heating controls using thermostats are known and / or timers controlled by the radiators to be controlled remotely located and controlled with these radiators the control elements are connected via control lines. These Control lines mean a considerable amount of effort, especially when retrofitting existing ones Rooms with such a heating system.

It has already been suggested by a thermostat (if necessary with timer), d. H. supplied by a control section Control signals via the existing 220 V / 380 V supply network to corresponding tax trained as a recipient elements to be transferred to the output of the heating body-controlling signals, the transmission of the Control signals using a high frequency carrier frequency he follows.

Problems arise with this system if several systems in close proximity, for example in different apartments of a house can be operated. The Assignment between the control parts and receiving parts is then no longer clear between the individual systems, with the consequence of incorrect controls, unless clear Agreements between the users of these systems exist and / or none of the systems in the area of the supply network separating measures (e.g. carrier frequency blockers) are provided are.

The object of the invention is to demonstrate a system which perfect control guaranteed animals.

To solve this problem, a system according to the Claims 1 or 8 formed.  

In one embodiment of the invention, errors in the Control avoided in that possible collisions with other stations, but also with interference or with high frequency interference signals on the supply network Collision detection can be switched off.

In another embodiment of the invention errors effectively avoided in the control that before In commissioning a system in a search mode first a Mapping address is determined that is not already through a other, neighboring, d. H. in the sending and receiving range system is occupied. This search mode will then preferably routinely within a given one Time grid, but preferably on arbitrarily chosen Repeated times, in such a way that in this Routine check when determining a double occupancy of a Assignment address no automatic change of this address, but a corresponding display is made, to which the System users can react accordingly.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the Unteran claims.

The invention is described below in connection with the Figures explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment, which concerns a heating control. It shows

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of two systems according to the invention, which are adjacent to each other and each having a control portion and a receiver portion;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a control part;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a receiver part.

In FIG. 1, two independently operating systems 1 and 2 are provided for heating control. Each system consists of a control part ST and a receiver part E. The control part ST and the receiver part E are marked with the index "1" in the system 1 on the left in FIG. 1 and accordingly with "ST 1 " or "E" 1 "denotes. The corresponding elements of the system 2 on the right in FIG. 1 are designated by the index "2", so that the control section is indicated by "ST 2 " or the receiver section by "E 2 ".

In the application shown, each system is used for heating control, ie for controlling the radiator H assigned to it, which in the left system with the index "1", ie with "H 1 " and in the system on the right in FIG. 1 with the index "2" ie marked with "H 2 ". The radiator "H" is, for example, an electric radiator operated on the supply network 10 , for example a plate radiator which essentially consists of a ceramic plate which is provided on its rear side with a heating device or coating. The respective radiator H is connected to the supply network 10 (220 V / 380 V installation network) via an electronic switching device or an electronic switch 11 . Each switch 11 is controlled by a signal from the associated receiver part E, that is to say the radiator H is switched on or off to the supply network 10 or from this supply network in accordance with a control signal transmitted from the control part ST to the receiver part of the respective system.

Of course, the radiator H does not have to be an electric one be operated radiator, although that shown System especially suitable for such radiators. The radiator H can also be the radiator of a normal hot water heater be. An electrically controllable is then used for control Control valve used.  

The control part ST of each system is arranged in a common room 12 or 13 with the associated receiver part E and the radiator H, ie ST1, E 1 and H 1 are located in the building room 12 and ST2, E 2 and H 2 the Ge building room 13 .

That from the control part ST to the associated receiver part The control signal supplied by the same system is a digi tales signal and contains, among other things, one of the room temperature and / or time-dependent control command, such as this will be discussed in more detail, d. H. about that from Control part ST supplied control signal takes a tempera control of the radiator H and / or an on and off Turn off this radiator according to a pre time program.

The respective control part ST is provided with a temperature sensor 14 , which is connected via an A / D converter 14 'to a circuit or control circuit 15 . Furthermore, the control part ST has a corresponding electronic time switch device with memory and time base, which in the embodiment shown is part of the electronic control device 15 of the respective control part ST described in more detail below.

At each control part ST, an LCD display 16 is further provided at, for example, 12 and 13 respectively prevailing in the respective chamber or measured temperature and / or switching on and off, time, switching times, weeks, days, the respective operating mode of the control part ST, etc. are displayed. Not only for switching on and off, but also for functions which will be explained in more detail below, the control part ST also has an input keyboard 28 which, for example, is formed by a membrane keyboard or another suitable keyboard.

All signals between the control part ST and the receiver part E of a system, but also between control parts of neighboring systems, are transmitted via the supply network 10 , using a carrier frequency of approximately 120 kHz, which is modulated in a suitable manner with the digital signals to be transmitted . Modulation types or methods suitable for this, for example “amplitude shift keying” or “frequency shift keying”, are known to the person skilled in the art. For the transmission of the information by means of a modulated carrier frequency via the supply network 10 , each control part ST also has a circuit 17 which is initially designed as a transmitter 17 'with a modulator for the carrier frequency and which has an input at its control or modulation 18 with the information to be transmitted Control device 15 is applied. The transmitter output 19 of the circuit 17 is connected via a suitable coupler, in the present case via a transformer 20 to the supply network 10 . The circuit 17 is at the same time as a tuned to the carrier frequency receiver 17 '' and accordingly with its receiver input 21 also via the transformer 20 to the supply network 10 , but also directly connected to the transmitter output 19 . A signal output 22 of the receiver 17 '' of the circuit 17 supplies via a demodulator provided in this circuit, the respective demodulated signal received by the circuit 17 or the receiver 17 '' there to the control device 15 . For the functions of the circuit 17 , it is important that it also receives when it transmits.

In the illustrated embodiment, the Steuerein device 15 is a single chip computer (z. B. MC68 HCO5 B 6 from Motorola), which also the necessary for the functions and in particular also for the program memory (fixed memory or ROMs) for the program with subroutines, RAMs for the time switch function and an EEPROM for the storage of an identifier or assignment address described below, with which the respective control part ST is assigned to its receiver part E.

The circuit 17 is in the embodiment shown an integrated circuit, which is offered as a transmit and receive circuit or network modem for the transmission of digital data via the supply network (for example, integrated circuit NE550 from Valvo).

Each receiver section E consists of a receiver circuit 23, which is connected via a suitable coupling means 24, for example via a the transmitter 20 corresponding transformer or supply network in the simplest case via a matched to the carrier frequency high or band-pass filter to the Ver 10th The receiver circuit 23 also has a demodulator for demodulating the carrier frequency or for recovering the corresponding information and is connected with the output of this demodulator to a control circuit 25 which is formed, for example, by a single chip computer. The control circuit 25 is assigned a memory 26 in the form of an EEPROM for storing the identifier or address. The circuit 25 or a driver seen there is connected to the control input of the switch 11 with a control output. Of course, the switch 11 can also be part of the receiver part E or the circuit 25 there. The circuit 25 is formed in the illustrated embodiment, at least in its essential part, by a single-chip computer, for example by a four-bit single-chip computer. The circuit 25 also has an additional control input, via which this circuit is provided with an input or subordinate key 27 .

Above it was assumed that the control part ST only one receiver part E is assigned to each system. This is just the simplest form of the system. Basically, it is possible that each system with one Control part ST two or more than two receiver parts E having.  

Furthermore, it was assumed above that the control part ST and the at least one receiver part E of each system in a common building room 12 and 13 are arranged. Depending on the desired control, these elements can also be distributed across different or several rooms of an apartment, a building, etc. It is only necessary to provide the control part ST and the at least one receiver part E of a system so that the receiver part E is within the range of the associated control part.

The information sent by the control part ST of each system mations are data and information words and have preferably the following structure: Start bit / key address or operating mode / data / stop bit.

The start bit and the stop bit each determine the beginning and the end of a transmitted information for the receiver and are the same for all systems, ie also for the two neighboring systems 1 and 2 .

The key following the start bit is also the same address (mode key) is the same for all systems and fixed.

For example, the key address 001 is used when the receiver part E is to be addressed by a control part ST in normal control operation.

The key addresses 010 and 011 are used, for example, in the manner described in more detail below. B. when commissioning a system within the reach of other systems to search for a free assignment address for the system to be put into operation, namely by address request and possible response.

The key address 100 is then used to cause the at least one receiver part E assigned to this control part after successful searching for a free assignment address not occupied by neighboring systems and after setting this address in the EEPROM of the control device 15 of the corresponding control part ST, this assignment address (as recipient assignment address) also to take over.

In normal operation, ie with key address 001 , the data is composed of the assignment address, which consists of a large number of bits corresponding to the required number of assignment addresses, and the actual control information, which in the simplest case is a simple switch on and off of the radiator H assigned to the individual receiver parts E only consists of the information “ON” or “OFF” and for which in extreme cases only a single bit is used, but preferably at least two bits are used to increase security.

When searching for free assignment addresses, ie for the key address 010 (address request), the data in the information word is formed only by an assignment address selected according to a specific mode. In response to an address request (key address 011 ) or if at least one receiver part E is assigned or subordinate to a control part ST (key address or status 100 ), the data are formed only by the assignment address of the respective responding control part ST or that control part which at least one receiver part E is to be assigned.

The single chip computer forming the control device 15 works with a main program and its subroutines. The main program manages the single chip or its functions and the individual subroutines, which include the following functions, for example:
Subroutine 1 :
Clock program with switching function when the day of the week is triggered, input and output of the corresponding values on the keyboard 28 or LCD display 16 ;
Subroutine 2 :
Activate and read out the A / D converter 14 ', temperature display on the LCD display 16 , hysteresis, switching points of the temperature, actual and target values, input of the corresponding data on the keyboard 28 and display of this data on the LCD display 16 ;
Subroutine 3 :
Collision detection, retransmission, detection of whether transmission path, ie supply network 10 free of interference, by comparing the signals at the input 18 and at the output 22 of the control device 17 ;
Subroutine 4 :
Automatic search for the next free assignment address;
Subroutine 5 :
Assignment of at least one receiver part to the control part or to the assignment address of this control part;
Subroutine 6 :
Normal control operation, ie formation of the information to be sent and received or the information word and transmission of this information to the control or modulation input 18 of the circuit 17 ;
Subroutine 7 :
Control of the LCD display 16 ;
Subroutine 8 :
Keypad input cycle 28
The control part ST, preferably also the receiver part E, each have a power-on-reset circuit which, in the event of a possible failure of the supply network 10 , sets the control part ST or the corresponding receiver part E to predetermined, then necessary operating vectors. The respective assignment address cannot be lost due to its storage in the EEPROM. For memory in the form of RAMs, for example for storing data such as time, switching times, switch-on and switch-off temperatures etc., an accumulation buffer is provided in the control part ST, so that the data stored in this memory are not lost in the event of a power failure.

The special features of the system are reproduced in particular by the aforementioned subroutines 3 , 4 and 5 . These subroutines are therefore explained in more detail below, starting with subroutine 4 , since the automatic search for the next free assignment address is at the start of commissioning a newly installed system.

If a newly installed system, for example system 2 of FIG. 1, is to be put into operation, the automatic search is first carried out for a free assignment address, that is to say for an assignment address that is not by another system arranged in the range, for example is occupied by system 1 . For this search, the search mode according to subroutine 4 is initiated by pressing a corresponding key 28 . A counter present or formed in the control device 15 is set here, for example, to the smallest possible assignment address.

From the start bit, from the key address 010 , which corresponds to the address request, from the selected assignment address and from the stop bit, a data word is formed in the control device 15 , which is then sent out via the circuit 17 . All control parts ST arranged within the range of control part ST2, including control part ST 1, receive this signal. Due to the in the Steuerein direction 15 z. B of the control part ST 1 decoded mode key 101 , this control device 15 compares its own stored assignment address. If the latter corresponds to the assignment address contained in the address request, an information word is formed in the control device 15 of the control part ST 1 in response to the address request, which is made up of the start bit from which the response to an address request or the information "assignment address" already existing "or" selected assignment address occupied "characterizing mode key 011 , composed of the assignment address of the control part ST1 and the stop bit. This information word is then transmitted via the circuit 17 of the control part ST1 to the supply network 10 and received by the control part ST2. On the basis of the mode key 011 , a further, for example the next higher assignment address is selected in the control device of the control part ST 2 and sent out in the aforementioned manner as an information word or address request.

Success on such an address request, which can also be repeated several times before given time intervals, no response from the control part ST1 or other control parts arranged in the range, so the corresponding, selected assignment address is a free assignment address, which is then immediately in the EEPROM the control device 15 of the control part ST2 is stored and thus reserved for this control part.

This search program does not require that operators of neighboring systems, for example systems 1 and 2 , talk about the assignment addresses used. Rather, each newly commissioned system automatically assigns itself a free assignment address to which the receiver parts E assigned to this system react exclusively, so that incorrect control by the action of the control part of a system on receiver parts E of adjacent systems cannot occur.

Controlled by a random generator provided or formed in the control device 15 , each control part sends within a certain time grid, e.g. B. every 24 hours a routine request identified by the mode key 010 and containing the assignment address, in order to avoid faulty control by systems that may have come within the reach of this system and that happen to have the same assignment address. The latter could be the case, for example, if the owner of a system puts it into operation after moving in a new environment without the search mode described above, while maintaining the assignment address used before the move. Faults can also occur if the range is increased, for example, by measures on the supply network.

If the same assignment address is determined again during this routine request, a corresponding message appears on the LCD display 16 , which prompts the user to carry out the search mode.

If a free assignment address was found in the search monus (sub-program 4 ), it is necessary to assign the at least one receiver part E to this assignment address. For this purpose, the assignment mode is switched on by pressing the keyboard 28 accordingly. During this mode, the control part of the system to be set up, for example the control part ST2 over a predetermined time period (for example 5 minutes) at predetermined intervals (for example every 5 seconds) sends out an information word via the supply network 10 which contains the start bit, contains the key address 100 corresponding to the assignment mode, the assignment address and the stop bit. All receivers share E 2 , the keys 27 of which are actuated during this time, store the association address contained in the association information in their memory 26 . By pressing the key 27 , the user can thus select which receiver parts E are to be assigned to a control part ST or a system.

It is understood that during normal operation the Receiver parts E only on such received information address that the same, in the respective receiver part have stored mapping address.

A further security against possible incorrect controls between the individual systems is given by the fact that according to subroutine 3 , which is used in normal operation, but also in search mode, in assignment mode and in all other operating modes in which information is transmitted Transmission of data is interrupted when there are faults in the supply network or occur or data is transmitted from the control part of another system via the supply network. For this collision detection, the same control part also receives information when it is sent. In the control device 15 , the information given at the control input 18 is compared with the information present at the output 22 . If there are any deviations, the further transmission of the information is interrupted.

The invention has been described above using an exemplary embodiment described. It is understood that changes and Ab Conversions are possible without thereby the invention supporting thought is left.

Claims (19)

1. System for controlling consumers, in particular for controlling heaters, with a control part (ST) and with at least one of the control part (ST) which can be controlled via a power supply network ( 10 ) and a consumer (H) assigned to the consumer (H), which provides at its output a control of the consumer be output signal, the control part (ST) a circuit ( 15 ) to form the information to be sent, preferably in digital form, and a transmission circuit ( 17 ') with a modulator for generating a the information modulated carrier frequency and for sending this carrier frequency to the supply network ( 10 ), and wherein the receiving part (E) has a receiver circuit ( 23 ) with a demodulator and a control circuit ( 25 ) controlled by this demodulator for evaluating and / or decoding the Has information, characterized in that the control part (ST) also a recipient ltkreis ( 17 '') has, which when sending information to the supply network ( 10 ) simultaneously receives all the signals present there, and that the control device ( 15 ) of the control part (ST) by comparing the information sent and the received signal Carries out collision detection and interrupts the further transmission of the information when a collision is detected, ie in the event of a discrepancy between the information sent and the signal received. 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device ( 15 ) of the control part (ST) interrupts the transmission of the information when the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold. 3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control device ( 15 ) of the control part (ST) starts again after the interruption of the information transmission after a predetermined or randomly selected time period with the information transmission. 4. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control part (ST) has means to determine signals on the supply network ( 10 ), and that the control device ( 15 ) of the control part (ST) the transmission of information only initiated if there are no signals on the supply network ( 10 ). 5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control part or its control device ( 15 ) has means for forming a data or information word as information, which in addition to the control information to be transmitted or Data has at least one assignment address characterizing the control part (ST), and that only those receive parts (E) deliver at their output a control signal corresponding to the transmitted information or data, which have a receiver assignment address assigned to the assignment address of the control part. 6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that due to the information sent only such reception parts (E) deliver a control signal at their output, the Receiver mapping address identical to the mapping address of the sending control unit (ST). 7. System according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the control part (ST) and / or the at least one receiving part (E) have a memory ( 26 ) for storing the order addresses. 8. System for controlling consumers, in particular for controlling heaters, with a control part (ST) and with at least one of the control part (ST) which can be controlled via a power supply network ( 10 ) and a consumer (H) assigned to the consumer (H), which provides at its output a control of the consumer be output signal, the control part (ST) a circuit ( 15 ) to form the information to be sent, preferably in digital form, and a transmission circuit ( 17 ') with a modulator for generating a the information modulated carrier frequency and for sending this carrier frequency to the supply network ( 10 ), the receiving part (E) a receiver circuit ( 23 ) with a demodulator and a control circuit controlled by this demodulator ( 25 ) for evaluating and / or decoding the information and wherein the control part or its control device ( 15 ) has means, in order to form as information a data or information word which, in addition to the control information or data to be transmitted, has at least one assignment address characterizing the control part (ST), and only such receiving parts (E) have at their output the one sending Provide information or data corresponding control signal having a receiver assignment address assigned to the assignment address of the control part, characterized in that a memory is provided for the assignment address in the control part (ST) and in the receiving part (E), and that the control part or whose control device ( 15 ) has means for searching in a search mode for a free assignment address not occupied by neighboring systems and storing it in the assignment address memory, and for the control part (ST) or its control device ( 15 ) also having means for the assignment address to at least one selected one, for example by actuation to transmit a key ( 27 ) from the selected receiving part and to store a corresponding assignment address there. 9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the control part (ST) also has a receiver circuit ( 17 '') which receives all signals present there when transmitting information to the supply network ( 10 ), and that the control device ( 15 ) the control part (ST) performs a collision detection by comparing the information sent and the received signal and interrupts the further transmission of the information when a collision is detected, ie in the event of a discrepancy between the information sent and the signal received. 10. System according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the control device ( 15 ) of the control part (ST) interrupts the transmission of the information when the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold. 11. System according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the control device ( 15 ) of the control part (ST) starts again after the interruption of the information transmission after a predetermined or randomly selected time period with the information transmission. 12. System according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the control part (ST) has means to determine signals on the supply network ( 10 ), and that the control device ( 15 ) of the control part (ST) the transmission of information only initiated if there are no signals on the supply network ( 10 ). 13. System according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized characterized that due to the information sent only such receiving parts (E) at their exit Supply control signal, its receiver assignment address identical to the assignment address of the sender Control section (ST) is.   14. System according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized characterized in that the control part (ST) during a first phase of the search mode which in the mapping addresses memory stored assignment address or one of the Control part (ST) or its control device selected Assignment address as an information word together with a key address identifying an address request sends out. 15. System according to claim 14, characterized in that the control part (ST) has a receiving circuit ( 17 ) for receiving information sent to the supply network ( 10 ) and means for decoding the key address of this information, in the presence of a Address request identifying key address to compare the assignment address sent together with this key address with its own, stored assignment address and to send out if the two assignment addresses match this match or the presence of the received assignment address "busy signal" from. 16. System according to claim 14 and 15, characterized in that the control part (ST) or its control device ( 15 ) has means to emit an acoustic and / or optical display signal when receiving a busy signal and / or a new assignment address for select to rerun the first phase of the search mode. 17. System according to claim 16, characterized in that the control part (ST) or its control device ( 15 ) has means to carry out the search mode routinely according to a predetermined time program or within a certain time grid. 18. System according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the control device ( 15 ) of the control part and / or the control device ( 25 ) of the at least one receiving part (E) by a microprocessor, preferably by a single chip processor or -Computer is formed. 19. System according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized characterized in that the memory for storing the Assignment address formed by at least one EEPROM is.