EP1488398A2

EP1488398A2 - Method for controlling and regulating the operation of an actuator

Info

Publication number: EP1488398A2
Application number: EP03745372A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Michel Orsat
Original assignee: Somfy SA
Current assignee: Simu SAS
Priority date: 2002-03-28
Filing date: 2003-03-21
Publication date: 2004-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-21
Also published as: AU2003215827A1; FR2837965A1; AU2003215827A8; JP2005522076A; ES2229971T1; US7030578B2; US20050140316A1; EP1488398B1; FR2837965B1; WO2003083802A2; WO2003083802A3

Abstract

The method is used to control and regulate the dynamic operation of an actuator driving a moveable element in a system for the protection of a building. The actuator (1) is associated with close control means comprising a supply device or a converter (5), a local processing unit (10) and a two-way radiofrequency transmitter (4) forming a local actuating unit (100). The method is characterized in that it consists in displacing all or part of the analysis processing of the measures relating to the actuator (1) and or moveable element (50) towards another unit, i.e. a displacement processing unit (40).

Description

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AND CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF AN ACTUATOR

The invention relates to the field of wireless remote control and / or control of actuators, intended to provide protection and / or comfort and / or control of a building. It relates more particularly to a command and control method defined according to the preamble of claim 1. It also relates to a control device intended to implement this method.

The actuators are, for example, motors controlled by command receivers and intended for the operation of solar protection, of building closings. The order-receiving modules controlling the actuators are, as the case may be, directly integrated into the actuators or housed in boxes above the bays, or else are housed in false ceilings in the vicinity of the actuators. In the best of cases, in terms of accessibility, the order-receiving module is contained in a close control box, comprising control push buttons, located not far from the actuator, and connected to the latter by means wired communication. Subsequently, the term “close control means” will designate a command receiver and a processing unit which are therefore, depending on the case, either physically separated from the actuator or integrated into the actuator.

These order receiving modules are commonly radio wave receiving modules and possibly have means for transmitting radio waves enabling them, for example, to acknowledge receipt of orders received and of their proper execution. Thanks to such means of communication, actuators are able to communicate remotely with one another and with transmitters of nomadic or fixed type. This communication is done according to a common protocol.

These devices now allow a plurality of uses and these uses will evolve with the evolution of technologies.

This plurality makes it necessary for manufacturers to create numerous references for actuators and / or close control means, each actuator and / or close control means intended to perform different functions bearing their own reference. This results in a significant cost, without consideration for the user. Thus, for example, an actuator with on-board electronics has different functional characteristics depending on whether it drives a blind or a shutter. They are commonly two different products, while nothing fundamentally distinguishes them.

The evolution of technologies also tends to make the different generations of products incompatible, except also to increase their cost. The frequent difficulty of access to products also makes problematic any intervention of improvement or update, common in other fields ("upgrade").

There are known in other fields of the state of the art methods making it possible to have recourse to an external resource by means of a communication network for carrying out remote processing. He is known, for example, to use many computers to cooperate in a calculation requiring great computing power.

In a field closer to that of the invention, there are devices making it possible to communicate data to a device for controlling the thermal comfort of heating and / or air conditioning (HNAC). In a simplified way, the heating actuators “deport” to a central thermostat the decision to put them automatically and collectively into operation. In modern installations, communication between the heaters and the central unit takes place via radio waves. However, this is in no way a transmission of data relating to the dynamic operation of the heating or air conditioning device (absorbed current, fluid pressure, etc.) intended for a dynamic calculation relating to this operation.

In the field proper to that of the invention, that of actuators for security, closing or solar protection systems of the building, installations are known which combine actuators with command transmitters communicating by means of radio waves, for example, in the form of a home automation network using carrier currents, as described in patent EP 0 718 729, but this network is hardly used except for propagating a general command and / or transmitting an acknowledgment of receipt.

Likewise, it is common to use a wired or radio network to transmit information on the open or closed state of the various products controlled by the actuators, or even information on their current position. This position information is transmitted on request or periodically. In no case is this data used to allow the analysis of the movement of the product operated by the actuator by a remote resource communicating by radio waves with the actuator, so as to control said actuator.

In patent application FR 2 811 703, in order to respond to the problem raised by the present invention, provision is made to deal with the management of the limit switches of said actuator at a close control unit of the actuator. This management is done by analysis of the engine torque. Nothing is more natural, insofar as this control box is interposed between the sector and the actuator: the analysis of the currents supplied to the actuator through this box and, for example, of their phase shift, is logically processed in this box to dynamically calculate an image of the motor torque and thus detect the presence of stops. Not for a single moment was it imagined in this patent application to deport this calculation function to another resource accessible by the carrier current communication network, therefore radio frequencies, however used in a variant in this patent.

The same is true in patent application CA 2299 689, in which all of the data coming from various sensors is processed in a control unit of the close control unit, although a communication link is provided with a resource. outdoor computing.

In the field of the invention, it has never been imagined to transmit, by means of the communication link by radio waves normally used between a remote command transmitter and a close means of piloting the actuator, data dynamics relating to the operation of the actuator or of the product linked to it, so as to allow an analysis of the movement of said product, and deduce the commands to be sent to the actuator.

EP 1 091 079 discloses an installation comprising two devices and in which the control of a first device can be transferred to the second device. These commands are manual commands carried out by a user and independent of the dynamic operation of the first device.

It has never been imagined to improve the existing functionalities of said actuators by remote processing, with a communication link by radio waves, of all or part of their executable programs.

It has even less been imagined to confer on actuators new functionalities, not installed in these actuators or in their close control boxes, this by the use of a remote resource and a radio communication link.

The method according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing part of claim 1.

According to the invention the various actuators and / or close control means, contributing to comfort or security in the building, are designed so as to deport to another unit, all or part of the dynamic analysis processing which is specific to them. , this offset being carried out by means of a two-way radio communication means installed in each actuator or in the vicinity of each actuator to allow the remote control. The method according to the invention thus makes it possible to confer on the building actuators new functionalities, not installed in the equipment, nor in their close control means.

Dependent claims 2 to 9 define methods of carrying out the method.

The remote control device according to the invention is defined by claim 10.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended drawings which are given only by way of nonlimiting examples.

Figure 1 shows schematically the hardware configuration necessary for the implementation of the invention.

Figure 2 shows in flowchart the process applicable to the invention.

In Figure 1 is shown an actuator (1) which is, for example, an electric motor, intended to actuate a movable element (50) such as, for example, a door, a shutter, a blind or any other solar protection. This actuator (1) is, for example, electrically connected by a wire connection (2) to a local processing unit (10).

This local processing unit (10), containing at least one microprocessor (3), is in relation with a means of communication by radio waves such as a bidirectional radio transmitter (4). This radio transmitter (4) is therefore capable of communicating in reception and in transmission with any radio frequency device sharing the same transmission protocol.

The local processing unit (10) executes the programs contained in a memory (7).

The actuator (1) is of the drive motor type for doors, ventilation openings, roller shutters, blinds or various sun protection screens, etc. It can also be a lighting or alarm device whose access is difficult. The radio transmitter (4) then plays an essentially receiving role in normal operation.

One or more sensors are associated with the actuator, either to measure the torque directly, or to measure parameters (intensity, voltage, etc.) which make it possible to trace the torque, or to measure any other locally accessible quantity. These sensors are placed on the motor and / or in a power converter (5), or even directly on the driven product (50), the arrow (8) representing the feedback of such a sensor to the local processing unit (10). In FIG. 1, a sensor (9) is integrated into the actuator (1).

In FIG. 1, which is schematic, the electromagnetic or static contactors enabling the actuator to be supplied with power in response to orders from the processing unit have not been shown, since all these devices are well known from the skilled person. If it is a non-autonomous actuator (1), as illustrated in FIG. 1, the assembly is supplied with a converter (5) from the alternating current network (6).

If the actuator (1) is autonomous, the converter (5) and the alternating current network (6) are replaced by an autonomous source, for example, a photovoltaic panel and a converter with battery.

It should be noted that the local processing unit (10), the actuator (1), the converter (5) and the transmitter (4) can constitute a single material assembly which will be called the local actuation unit. (100).

It will be understood that the elements listed above, are either integrated in the same mechanical assembly as the motor (1), as illustrated in FIG. 1, then defining an actuator with integrated electronics, or are mechanically separated from the latter, by example, in the form of a close control box, then provided with push buttons, not shown.

As seen above, the local processing unit (10) comprises a microprocessor (3). The latter includes a program for activating the measurement means, a program for issuing measurements. It can also be any type of microcontroller, in which case, the memory (7) can be integrated into the microcontroller. The radio transmitter (4) can contain its own microcontroller for managing the communication protocol, but this function can be provided by the local processing unit (10) or even distributed between the two units, namely, between said local unit treatment (10) and the transmitter (4). There is provided a command transmitter (200) which is used on the same communication network symbolized by bidirectional arrows (300). It consists of a bidirectional transmitter (20) similar to the radio transmitter (4) and a control unit (21), capable of generating commands in response to a request for push buttons, not shown.

According to the invention, there is also provided a remote processing unit (400), constituting the remote resource. This remote processing unit (400) comprises at least one bidirectional transmitter (40) analogous to the transmitter (20) of the command transmitter (200) and a processing unit (41), comprising a data reception program, a data processing program, and an order issuing program.

According to the invention, there is at least one operating mode of the local actuation unit (100), in which the dynamic processing of data relating to the operation of the actuator (1) or to the movement of the mobile element (50) is not achieved by close control means, in particular the microprocessor (3) and its memory (7), but, at least partially, by the remote processing unit (400), using the link of radio communication (300).

The remote processing method can be implemented in many ways.

In all cases, it includes, as illustrated in FIG. 2: - a prior configuration step (500), - an activation step (502),

- a remote processing step (504),

- a deactivation step (506).

In a preferred embodiment, which serves as the basis for the description, the actuator (1) and all of its close control means, constituted by the local actuation unit (100) do not support any automated function. For example, the control means of the processing and actuation communication unit will be unable to detect a straight stop or an obstacle during operation, just as they will be unable to react to a movement of the element. mobile (50) when the actuator (1) is not powered (in the case of a roller shutter, such a movement could be the sign of an intrusion attempt, in the case of a blind, a such a movement could be a sign of a gust of wind ...). However, the local actuation unit (100) includes sensors whose analysis of the variations or of the combination of quantities, could provide information on said movement.

In its simplest form (which, moreover, guarantees the lowest possible cost price), the local actuation unit (100) is therefore such that it can receive and execute orders from the radio link and send data relating to the measurements of said sensors.

The preliminary configuration step (500) consists in configuring the local actuation unit (100) under the control of the remote processing unit

(400), to await the initiating event and the reception of the data. This step consists, for example, in defining an initiating event as well as the data to be transmitted and their sampling frequency. She is normally engaged by a remote processing unit (400). Using a specific communication frame, of the “Request Data” type, this unit remotely informs the memory (7) of the local actuation unit (100) on, for example: - What data to transmit?

- How often?

- On what initiating event?

- Until what final event?

By way of example, a configuration order is given, such that, as soon as the engine start command, in a first direction of rotation, there is transmission every 10 milliseconds of the value of the voltages applied to the two windings of said engine, and of cessation of this transmission, if the stop command is activated.

According to another example, in the case of a DC motor, a configuration order is given, such that, as soon as it is put to rest, there is transmission every 2 seconds of the value of the voltage applied to the terminals of the stator, and of cessation of this transmission, as soon as power is applied.

The prior configuration can be fixed by construction, but this deprives the product of the flexibility provided by the invention. One could, for example, conceive that the initiating event and / or that the data to be transmitted are defined in a pre-established manner. A compromise can possibly be found between a partial set of data chosen unchangeably and a partial set of data chosen variably. Note that the preliminary configuration step (500) can be changed several times for the same local actuation unit (100), and it is possible to define several sets of transmission parameters linked to different initiating events. Finally, the same preliminary configuration step (500) can be used to collectively configure a plurality of identical local actuation units (100).

The activation step (502) consists of activating the next processing step (504). This step corresponds to the recognition by the local actuation unit (100) of the initiating event defined in the prior configuration step (500), and to have the local actuation unit (100) execute the orders related to this initiating event. For example, the local actuation unit (100) receives an ascent command from the command transmitter (200) and starts the motor according to the first direction of rotation. One can just as well imagine that the command order sent by the order transmitter (200) is in fact picked up by the remote processing unit (400) and re-sent to the local actuation unit (100 ) by this so-called remote unit (400).

The remote processing step (504) consists of: For the local actuation unit (100)

- to measure and send the measurement made;

- wait for an order;

- to loop through the next measurement, at the sampling frequency; and for the remote treatment unit (400)

- to proceed to the reception of the measurement;

- to carry out the treatment and test the result of the treatment; - carry out the looping on waiting for reception of the next measurement if the test is negative;

The processing step (504) consists, for example, for the local actuation unit (100), in transmitting to the remote unit (400) the requested data while respecting the requested sampling frequency. These data are therefore received and processed by the remote processing unit (400) which has a more powerful processing capacity than the local actuation unit (100). For example, the dynamic comparison of the variations of the voltages applied to the terminals of the two windings of the motor, by a complex algorithm, brings out a precise image of the motor torque.

This processing does not have to be absolutely synchronous with the sampling. It is therefore sufficient that the inevitable collisions or interference during radio transmission do not unduly disrupt this transmission. A robust algorithm makes up for the possible absence of one or more missing data.

The deactivation step (506) is initiated on the initiative of the remote unit. This deactivation step of the processing step (504) consists: for the remote processing unit (400)

- to proceed to the elaboration of an order of order if the test is positive;

- proceed to issue this order; and for the local actuation unit (100)

- to proceed with the reception of the order;

- and to execute the command. For example, when the processing unit (41) of the remote unit (400) detects by calculation, for example, a sudden variation in torque, the remote unit (400) sleeps a stop command. This order is either directly transmitted to the local actuation unit (100), or is transmitted to the command transmitter (200) which immediately transmits it to the local actuation unit (100).

If the capacity of the communication network allows it, and if the computing power of the remote unit (400) is sufficient, this unit (400) can be used simultaneously for the processing of different algorithms concerning several actuators activated simultaneously.

Likewise, several remote units (400) can be called upon to share the same complex treatment.

Finally, it is clear that the order transmitter (200) and the remote processing unit (400) can constitute the same unit, both remote control and remote processing.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown by way of examples, but it also includes all the technical equivalents and their combinations.

Claims

1. Method for controlling and controlling the dynamic operation of an actuator (1) intended to drive a mobile element (50) of a protection and / or comfort installation, and / or control of a building, said building actuator (1) being associated with close control means comprising, a supply device or converter (5), a local processing unit (10), and a bidirectional radiofrequency transmitter (4), constituting a local actuation unit (100), characterized in that it consists in deporting to another unit, said remote processing unit (400), all or part of the analysis processing of measurements relating to said actuator (1) and / or to said mobile element ( 50).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the measurements relate to a phase of electrical supply to the actuator (1).

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the measurements relate to a phase during which the actuator (1) is not electrically supplied.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a remote processing step (504) comprising at least: for the local actuation unit (100), the following phases: - measure and send the measurement made;

- wait for an order, - loop through the following measurement, at the sampling frequency, and for the remote processing unit (400), the following phases:

- proceed to the reception of the measurement, - proceed to the treatment and the test on the result of the treatment,

- loop back on awaiting reception of the next measurement if the test is negative.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises an activation step (502) which consists for the local actuation unit (100) in recognizing an initiator event defined in a preliminary configuration step (500), and to execute the orders linked to this initiating event.

6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a preliminary configuration step (500) which consists in configuring the local actuation unit (100) under the control of the unit remote processing unit (400) then, for the local actuation unit (100), to wait for the initiating event and for the remote processing unit (400) to await receipt of the data.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the nature of the initiating event and / or the nature of the data to be measured and to be transmitted and / or the value of the sampling frequency are transmitted from the remote unit of processing (400) at the local actuation unit (100) during the prior configuration step (500).

8. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the nature of the initiating event and / or the nature of the data to be measured and transmitted and / or the value of the sampling frequency are defined in a pre-established manner in the local actuation unit (100).

9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a deactivation step (506) which comprises: for the remote treatment unit (400), the following phases:

- proceed with the elaboration of an order of order if the test is positive;

- issue this order; and for the local actuation unit (100), the following phases:

- proceed to the reception of the order; - execute the command.

10. Device for remote control of an actuator (1) intended to implement the method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (1) is intended for driving an element occultation or closure (50), and in that said device comprises a bidirectional transmitter (4), measurement means (9), a local processing unit (10) comprising a microprocessor (3), comprising a program activation of the measurement means, a measurement transmission program, and in that said device comprises a remote processing unit (400) comprising a bidirectional transmitter (40) and a processing unit (41) comprising a transmission program data reception, a data processing program, and an order issuing program.