EP0697084B1 - Electric storage heater - Google Patents

Abstract

A standard electric storage heater consists of a storage core, a charge regulator (1) controlling the charge of said core and a fan (8) for discharging heat from the storage core. The charge regulator is in the form of a plug-in module and is electrically and mechanically coupled via a plug-in coupling (3A) to the electric storage heater and associated regulating and measuring components. A discharge regulator module (2) is detachably coupled via at least one plug-in strip (3B) to the charge regulator and other parts of the electric storage heater. The mains unit (11) supplying the charge regulator is designed so that it can also supply the discharge regulator (2) with current. Electrical signals representative of the nominal and actual values of the storage core heat content are transmitted via the detachable coupling device (3B) to the discharge regulator (2). The fan is likewise controlled via the detachable coupling device by a micro-controller (21) of the discharge regulator (2). By fitting the discharge regulator, a standard electric storage heater can be provided with a combined regulating system which can be set at any level of comfort or can even be self-learning.

Description

The invention relates to an electric storage heater with a storage core, a charge controller controlling its charging, a power supply unit supplying the charging controller with voltage, and a fan for removing heat from the storage core. Instead of a fan, a flap device which influences the heat dissipation can also be provided, which influences the air passage through the storage core. In this respect, the term "fan" also stands for a flap device of the type mentioned.

In the simplest embodiments, electric storage heaters have a charge controller, which receives the release signal for the charge release within low load times either directly or indirectly via a central control device which is jointly assigned to a storage device group. If necessary, the charge controller also receives a control signal via the central control unit, which sets the target value of the storage core heat content depending on weather and time values as well as preset parameters. The actual value of the storage core heat content is recorded by a high temperature sensor which is connected to the charge controller. The output signal of the charge controller switches the power for charging the memory core directly or via an assigned power relay.

The heating comfort is largely determined by the discharge of the memory by means of at least one fan. From DE-PS 36 31 525 a combined charge and discharge controller is already known, which can be accommodated with all essential components in the housing of the electric storage heater. This known controller combination can ensure optimum heating comfort, since a constant exchange of information between the components of the charge and discharge controllers can take place in relation to the state of the storage core and the room air temperature behavior. Despite their considerable operational advantages, these known combination regulations have not been able to adequately establish themselves on the market. This was because that combined charge and discharge controllers entailed a relatively high additional price on the storage heater, which could not be achieved on the market. As a result, different devices with combination control and alternatively with a simple charge controller without discharge control had to be manufactured and kept in stock. The costs of the advantageous combination scheme increased due to custom-made products to meet special consumer requirements. All manufacturers offered different combination control systems, which could not be offered cheaply due to their small series.

The advantageous combination control in favor of simple discharge control via a room thermostat was frequently dispensed with. This is where the invention intervenes.

The invention has for its object to provide the technical prerequisites for improving the cost / benefit ratio and thus the acceptance of combined charging and discharging control systems in electrical storage units.

• daß ein Entladereglermodul über wenigstens eine lösbare Kupplungsvorrichtung sowohl mechanisch, als auch elektrisch mit dem Aufladeregler und/oder einem anderen Teil des Elektrospeicherheizgeräts koppelbar ist; und
• daß das den Aufladeregler versorgende Netzgerät auch zur Stromversorgung des Entladereglermoduls vorgesehen ist.

This object is achieved according to the invention in an electric storage heater of the type mentioned at the outset by

• that a discharge controller module can be coupled mechanically as well as electrically to the charge controller and / or another part of the electric storage heater via at least one detachable coupling device; and
• that the power supply unit supplying the charge controller is also provided for supplying power to the discharge controller module.

• daß für die Soll- und Istwerte des Speicherkernwärmeinhalts repräsentative elektrische Signale über die lösbare Kupplungsvorrichtung zum Entladereglermodul übertragbar sind; und
• daß eine Lüfter-Steuereinrichtung über die lösbare Kupplungsvorrichtung in den Lüfter-Steuerkreis elektrisch einbindbar ist.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention,

• that electrical signals representative of the setpoint and actual values of the storage core heat content can be transmitted to the discharge controller module via the releasable coupling device; and
• that a fan control device can be electrically integrated into the fan control circuit via the releasable coupling device.

The invention creates the prerequisite for the fact that the variety of device types which previously opposed the introduction of cost-effective combination controllers with charging and discharging functions can be drastically reduced. The basic functions of a charge controller are standard and essential for practically all conventional electric storage heaters; the same applies to the necessary measurement and influencing variables. The functions and performance options of the discharge controllers, on the other hand, are largely determined by customer requirements and operating conditions.

In this respect, the invention is based on the consideration that electric storage heaters can be produced inexpensively by all manufacturers with an individual design and basic equipment that fulfills the minimum functions. Basically, all manufacturers can offer their devices with essentially unchanged design and basic equipment. It is only important that all devices in the basic configuration have a simple interface (connector strip) with a uniform connector connection pattern, so that the controller modules that fulfill the discharge function, which may be customer- and production-specific, are connection-compatible with the components of the basic configuration and can be simply plugged on. Merely the power supply of the basic equipment has to be designed a bit more powerful, so that the power supply of the discharge regulator module to be plugged on can also be taken over by the same power supply. The customer can therefore buy an electric storage heater in the basic configuration from any storage device manufacturer, if necessary according to the device design, and select the heating comfort by suitable selection and, if necessary, retrofitting a discharge controller. The matching connection pattern between an electric storage heater from any manufacturer and the plug-in discharge controller (from the same or a different manufacturer) increases the device series and increases the selection options accordingly, makes the installation or retrofitting of the advantageous combination control affordable for the consumer and drastically reduces the assembly effort, even when replacing controller components. No special assembly tools or knowledge is required.

A further improvement of the functionality and reduction of the assembly effort can be achieved in a further development of the invention in that the charge controller is designed as a detachable module, in particular a detachable plug-in module, can be mechanically coupled to the housing of the electric storage heater and electrically via plug connections with the common power supply and at least one residual heat sensor is connectable.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the discharge controller contains a microcontroller with a microprocessor memory. Such a discharge controller is capable of learning. It acts as a room temperature optimizer. For this purpose, the microprocessor receives information about the temperature of the memory core and thus the temperature response and the timing of the charge release. Furthermore, the room temperature and the setpoint of the room temperature are communicated to him via a suitable sensor. These actual and target values are continuously stored in the memory and, if necessary, passed on to the charge controller as a disturbance variable via plug devices. With this disturbance variable, the input signal at the charge controller can then be compensated for on a room-by-room basis, so that an individual-room temperature optimization is achieved. The continuous recording of the room temperature, the temperature response, the recording of the core temperature, the gradient of the discharge curve, maximum and minimum values and the temperature difference, sudden changes in the room temperature (as a result of room ventilation) etc. enable the associated software of the microcontroller to continuously optimize the temperature and heating costs.

The design of the discharge and charge controllers as plug-in modules also enables a particularly ergonomic arrangement of the associated setpoint adjuster. The charge controller is preferably arranged on the housing of the electrical storage heater in such a way that a setpoint adjuster attached to the charge controller is accessible from the outside. For this purpose, an outer wall of the electric storage heater can be provided with a recess through which a part of the plug-in module with the setpoint adjuster protrudes outwards from the housing, so that its actuator can be easily reached and adjusted by the user. Instead of a mechanically adjustable actuator, an infrared, radio or frequency-modulated remote control device can also be provided, both for setting the room temperature setpoint and the memory core temperature setpoint.

Detachable plug connections are preferably provided between the housing of the electric storage heater and the controller modules in the same or in parallel directions.

In this case, a common connector strip can be arranged, for example, vertically in the housing of the electrical storage heater, and the various plug-in modules are inserted one above the other in a positive and / or non-positive manner in this common connector strip. Push-button systems, for example, can serve as mechanical connecting elements.

In one embodiment of the invention, an additional switching function, for example the plug-in module that switches the output of additional heating elements, can be coupled mechanically and electrically to part of the electric storage heater and / or to the discharge controller module via at least one further releasable coupling device.

Other developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

Fig. 1

ein schematisches Schalt- und Anschlußbild eines Ausführungsbeispiels der Reglerkombination eines erfindungsgemäßen Elektrospeicherheizgerätes;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Draufsicht von hinten auf eine als Schnittstelle dienende gerätefeste Steckleiste und zwei mit dieser mechanisch und elektrisch verbundene Reglermodulen;

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht auf die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 2 von vorn, wobei das Gehäuse des Elektrospeicherheizgeräts der Übersichtlichkeit halber fortgelassen ist;

Fig.4A

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die Gehäuseaußenseite eines Reglermoduls;

Fig.4B

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die Gehäuseinnenseite des Reglermoduls;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Teilansicht auf ein Elektrospeicherheizgerät mit von außen lösbaren und einstellbaren Reglermodulen;

Fig. 6

eine Frontansicht auf den Montagebereich der Auflade- und Entladeregler in dem ESH-Gehäuse, wobei nur der Aufladeregler eingebaut ist; und

Fig. 7

eine seitliche Steckanordnung von drei Steckmodulen an einer Steckleiste im Elektrospeicherheizgerät.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawing. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic circuit and connection diagram of an embodiment of the controller combination of an electric storage heater according to the invention;

Fig. 2

is a schematic plan view from behind of a device-fixed connector serving as an interface and two with this mechanically and electrically connected controller modules;

Fig. 3

a view of the arrangement of Figure 2 from the front, the housing of the electric storage heater is omitted for clarity.

Fig.4A

a perspective view of the outside of the housing of a controller module;

Fig.4B

a perspective view of the inside of the housing of the controller module;

Fig. 5

a partial perspective view of an electric storage heater with externally detachable and adjustable controller modules;

Fig. 6

a front view of the mounting area of the charge and discharge controller in the ESH housing, only the charge controller being installed; and

Fig. 7

a lateral plug arrangement of three plug-in modules on a plug-in strip in the electric storage heater.

1 shows an embodiment of the invention with a comfortable combination control. The essential components of the combination control are assigned to a charge controller 1 and a discharge controller 2. According to the invention, the two controllers 1 and 2 are designed as individual detachable plug-in modules which are accessible from the outside on the electric storage heater (ESH) and with at least a device-fixed connector 3 or 3A, 3B can be coupled.

The charge controller 1 is supplied with voltage on the input side via the contacts C and D of the plug connector 3A. The release signal for the storage core charging within the low-load period is supplied directly or indirectly from a central control device (ZSG) assigned to the overall project (apartment or house) via the contacts G and H of the connector strip 3A. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 (combination control), a guide voltage is derived from the discharge regulator 2 via a cable bridge 30 between the plug-in bars 3A and 3B.

The actual value of the storage core heat content (instantaneous value of the state of charge of the storage core) is recorded by at least one residual heat sensor 4 arranged directly in or on the storage core and made available to the charge controller 1 via the contact K. The heat content setpoint of the memory core can be set via an externally accessible setpoint adjuster 5 and is made available as an electrical signal on the one hand at the contact L of the connector 3A to the charge controller 1 and on the other hand via a prewired bridge 31 at the contact h of the connector 3B.

In the exemplary embodiment described, the electronic charge controller 1 is designed as an inexpensive analog unit that can take over all analog measurement and control signals directly. The power supply unit 11 is integrated in the charge controller 1 and is designed to be sufficiently powerful to be able to supply the discharge controller 2 and other control components with operating current in addition to the charge controller 1. The actual and target values of the storage core heat content are amplified in a control amplifier 12; the amplifier output signal on line 13 forms the first input signal for a comparator 14. The command or control signal (contacts G and H) is amplified by an amplifier 15 and fed to the comparator 14 via a line 16 as a second input signal. The The output signal of the comparator 14 switches the electrical power for charging the memory core directly or via an assigned power relay. The charge controller 1 of the previously described exemplary embodiment of the invention differs from conventional, permanently installed charge controllers only in its design as an externally accessible and pluggable module and in the reinforced design of the power supply unit 11.

The discharge controller 2 can be coupled to the ESH via the device-side connector 3B serving as an interface and makes the control arrangement a convenient combination control. This plug-in solution has the advantage of significant material, logistics (storage) and installation cost savings compared to known combination regulations.

• 1. Temperatur des Speicherkerns und damit der Temperaturgang - über die Brücke 33 und den Steckkontakt k;
• 2. Sollwert des Wärmeinhalts - über die Brücke 31 und den Steckkontakt h;
• 3. Sollwert der Raumtemperatur von einem von der Geräteaußenseite aus frei zugänglichen Sollwertsteller 6 - über den Steckkontakt g; und
• 4. Istwert der Raumtemperatur ϑ von einem Raumfühler 7 - über den Steckkontakt f.

The discharge controller 2 is supplied with current from the power supply 11 of the charge controller via a bridge 32. A microcontroller 21, which in the exemplary embodiment described contains a microprocessor and at least one memory with a suitable operating program and a working memory, forms the heart of this controller module. As a digital component, the microcontroller 21 is electrically connected to the charge controller 1 on the input side via an analog / digital converter 22 and on the output side via a digital / analog converter 23. The microcontroller 21 is supplied with signals representative of the following quantities:

• 1. Temperature of the memory core and thus the temperature response - via the bridge 33 and the plug contact k;
• 2. Setpoint value of the heat content - via the bridge 31 and the plug contact h;
• 3. Setpoint of the room temperature from a setpoint adjuster 6 which is freely accessible from the outside of the device - via plug contact g; and
• 4. Actual room temperature ϑ from a room sensor 7 - via the plug contact f.

In special designs, the setpoint adjusters 5 and 6 can also be designed as remote control units, for example as radio-controlled units.

In the combination shown with the discharge controller 2, the guide signals at the input of the amplifier 15 and thus the charge release via the bridge 30 are controlled by the discharge controller, and via a bridge 34 the microcontroller generates a combination signal which is fed to the control amplifier 12 of the charge controller 1 as a disturbance variable and serves to compensate for the influence of the fan run as described below.

The main function of the discharge regulator 2 and accordingly also of the microcontroller 21 is the control of a fan 8 via a motor controller 24. The fan 8 built into the ESH is hard-wired to the plug contact a. The discharge controller 2 is supplied with a signal representative of the charge release (of the power supply company) via the plug contact c. The control line of an additional heater 9 is connected to the plug contact b of the plug connector 3B assigned to the discharge controller 2. The microcontroller 21 can switch over to the additional heating in a manner known per se, above all if a peak demand that may arise cannot be covered or cannot be covered completely by the heat content of the storage core.

Via the combination line (bridge 34), the signal "fan on" can be given to the charge controller 1, which then switches over to another charging characteristic during the discharge process in order to compensate for the influence of the fan running.

Incoming and outgoing compensation lines can be connected via contacts e and d of the 3B connector. These lines enable the microcontroller 21 to communicate with other discharge controllers to adjust the discharge performance, for example, of several ESHs arranged in a room and to optimize the room temperature.

As already mentioned at the beginning, the ESH is fully functional when equipped with the charge controller 1. The charge controller 1 is therefore also part of the basic configuration of an ESH in the individually pluggable arrangement according to the invention. The combination control can be easily achieved by additionally plugging the discharge regulator 2 onto the already prepared plug-in strip 3B. The discharge controller is then automatically supplied by the already existing, correspondingly powerful power supply 11.

2, 3 and 4A, B show the mechanical components, in particular the housings of the charge controllers 1 and 2, from the rear and from the front, respectively, in association with a continuous and device-specific connector strip 3. The electrical components are shown in the representations according to Figures 2 and 4B omitted. The housing 40 have the same, approximately box-shaped design in both controller modules 1 and 2. As can be seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the controller housings 40 are open towards the plug side. The interior of each housing is delimited by rectangular side walls 41, 42. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, openings 47 are provided between the side walls 41 and 42 for receiving a possibly continuous device-specific connector strip 3. The part 43 of each housing protruding outward from the ESH is hood-shaped and integrally formed with the side walls 41 and 42. A recess 44 is formed in the hood-shaped section, which is penetrated by an operating element of the set point adjuster 5 or 6, which is designed as an adjusting wheel 45. Each housing 40 is assigned a plug 46 (FIG. 4B), which is prewired to the respective controller contacts (FIG. 1) and, in connection with the device's own plug-in strip 3, the interface of the respective controller to the ESH or to the respective other controller forms. As a rule, additional mechanical locking means (not shown) are provided, which mechanically lock the controller modules 1 and 2 in their operating position and in this respect ensure that the correct contact pattern is maintained and reliable electrical transitions between all effective contact elements are provided.

5 shows a part of the housing 10 of an electric storage heater, on the front side of which the hood-shaped parts 43 of the charge controller 1 and the discharge controller 2 protrude forward. As can be seen, the two setting wheels 45 used for setting the setpoint are freely accessible from the front of the housing. Insofar as the discharge regulator 2 is missing in the basic equipment of the ESH in the device, the then partially open recess 50 in the device housing 10 is closed by a suitable lockable and detachable cover plate 51 (FIG. 6).

The temperature-sensitive controller components can be moved out of the ESH housing 10 to the outside, that is to say they can be arranged in the projecting part 43 of the controller housing.

7 shows an alternative plug-in arrangement in which plug-in regulator modules 61, 62 and 63 are plugged into a device-side plug-in strip 3. Plug-in module 61 can be, for example, the charge controller, plug-in module 62 the discharge controller and plug-in module 63 can be a suitable switching relay for an additional heating element.

Numerous modifications are possible within the scope of the inventive concept. Thus, the charge controller 1 can be assigned a plurality of plug-in strips, one of which is detachably connected to the plug-in plug-in strip 3 and the other is used for the “piggyback” coupling of the discharge controller 2. Both switching relays and setpoint adjusters can be detachably connected to the associated controllers using plugs. The device-fixed connector strips 3 are usually already pre-wired by the manufacturer and with the required bridges 30 ... 34 equipped. However, pluggable bridges can also be provided subsequently, in order to give the installer the opportunity to make certain device adjustments or controller adjustments later.

Claims (14)

1. Electric storage heater with a storage core, a charging controller (1) controlling the charging thereof, a power supply device (11) supplying the charging controller with a voltage and a fan (8) or a flap device for discharging heat from the storage core, characterised in that a discharging control module (2) may be coupled by means of at least one releasable coupling device (3A,B; 3,46) both mechanically and electrically to the charging controller (1) and/or another portion of the electric storage heater; and that the power supply device (11) supplying the charging controller is also provided for supplying power to the discharging control module (2).
2. Electric storage heater as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that electrical signals representative of the desired and actual values of the storage core heat content may be transmitted via the releasable coupling device (3B) to the discharging control module (2); and that a fan control device (21, 24) may be electrically connected into the fan control circuit via the releasable coupling device.
3. Electric storage heater as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the charging controller (1) is also constructed as a releasable module, particularly a releasable plug module, may be mechanically coupled to the housing (10) of the electric storage heater and is electrically connectable to at least one residual heat sensor (4) by means of plug connections (3A, 46).
4. Electric storage heater as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the discharging controller (2) includes a microcontroller (21) with a microprocessor and a store.
5. Electric storage heater as claimed in Claim 4, characterised in that the charging controller (1) is constructed as an analogue device and that the exchange of signals between the charging controller and microcontroller (21) of the discharging controller (2) is effected via analogue/digital or digital/analogue converters (22, 23).
6. Electric storage heater as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the charging controller (1) is so arranged on the housing (10) of the electric storage heater that a desired value regulator (45) arranged on the charging controller is accessible from the exterior.
7. Electric storage heater as claimed in Claim 6, characterised in that an external wall of the electric storage heater is provided with an opening (50) through which a portion (43), carrying the desired value regulator (45), of the charging controller (1) projects outwardly out of the ESH housing (10).
8. Electric storage heater as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the housing opening (50) extends over the region provided for the installation of the discharging control module (2).
9. Electric storage heater as claimed in one of Claims 2 to 8, characterised in that releasable plug connections (3, 46) are provided between the housing (10) of the electric storage heater and the two control modules (1, 2) in the same or parallel directions.
10. Electric storage heater as claimed in Claim 9, characterised in that all the plug modules (1, 2; 61, 62, 63) are arranged above one another and may be plugged into a contact strip (3) which extends substantially vertical and is arranged in the end region of the housing of the electric storage heater.
11. Electric storage heater as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that a plug module (63), which performs additional switching functions, for instance switching the power of additional heating bodies, may be coupled both mechanically and electrically to a portion of the electric storage heater and/or to the discharging control module (2; 62) by means of at least one further releasable coupling device.
12. Electric storage heater as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the discharging control module (2) is provided with connections (f, c, l, m, n) for a room sensor (7), for the initiation of charging and for the charging controller control lines.
13. Electric storage heater as claimed in Claim 12, characterised in that the discharging control module (2) is provided with at least one connection (e, d) for producing a communication connection with other discharging controllers.
14. Electric storage heater as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the connections (f, c, l, m, n, e, d) are contacts of the releasable coupling device (3A, 3B).

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