EP2154437B1 - Heating adjustment optimisation in buildings according to the weather forecast - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an optimization system for building heating control device, in particular based on the use of meteorological forecasts. This system applies in particular to devices which comprise an electronic regulator supplying an output signal with a temperature setpoint to heating water produced by a boiler, said regulator operating in a conventional manner from input parameters such as the outside temperature and a set temperature for the indoor air.

The aim of the invention is to improve the thermal comfort of a building by regulating the heating in a more precise and more flexible way, notably by including in the system a possibility of anticipation resulting from meteorological data and / or by taking advantage of characteristics specific to the house and its location.

At a time when energy expenditure is constantly increasing significantly, such a system also makes it possible to reduce the energy bill by authorizing a management of heating needs which remains permanently close to the actual conditions of interaction between the building and the building. the weather situation both present and planned.

Heating control solutions based on data from weather forecasts have already been described. patent DE 102004 032 562 proposes a system according to the preamble of claim 1. Thus, the US 6,098,893 proposes a control system integrating meteorological data that allow it to calculate an equivalent temperature, that is to say an externally modified temperature calculated by calculation and which becomes one of the input parameters of the regulation device, replacing the simple one measuring the outside temperature. The system includes a database and allows calculations from both up-to-date and historical data.

A control system for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration of buildings is also disclosed in the document WO 07/117245 . The meteorological data are, in this hypothesis, used to determine in advance control steps of the various components of the system.

A predictive control device for the temperature, which for example acts on a three-way valve using at least one algorithm taking meteorological data into account, is finally described in a document EP 1 715 254 . It is a system that is intended for heated floors, and that operates on the basis of an online data input, thus requiring an internet connection. The calculation algorithms are implemented in the manner of an expert system.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple system, suitable for private homes, and which can be implemented as part of a home automation solution at reasonable cost. In particular, the developed system has a sufficiently simple solution to be implemented in a microcontroller, and is therefore not based on complex calculations / algorithms.

For this purpose, the optimization system according to the invention, conventionally based on an electronic regulator providing a temperature setpoint to the heating water of a building produced by a boiler from the outside temperature and a setpoint temperature for the indoor ambient air, is mainly characterized in that it comprises an auxiliary correction unit connected to the electronic regulator, said block being equipped with parameterizable inputs according to characteristics specific to the building or connected to a meteorological station, and comprising means for storing a plurality of predetermined matrices whose values are established from variables corresponding to the input parameters related to the forecasts and at the building, a value of each matrix being selected and used directly or combined by processing means to values of other matrices to provide the electronic controller at the output of the auxiliary block one or more corrective input parameters.

The general idea of the invention is therefore to provide, upstream of the actual regulation, a system for correcting the operating parameters of the regulating device, in particular but not exclusively depending on the weather forecasts since the nature / implantation / the orientation of the building to be heated also play a role.

The system of the invention does not provide for complex calculations, since it is based on precomputed matrices in which there is a set of corrective values to be applied to the parameters of the regulation, selected according to a certain number input parameters, then possibly processed into simple calculations.

A microcomputer is sufficient to integrate these matrices, and to implement the calculations possibly applied to the values of the matrices.

• une température prévisionnelle ;
• une vitesse de vent prévisionnelle ;
• un ensoleillement prévisionnel.

In fact, according to the invention, the auxiliary unit is connected to a meteorological unit providing it with a forecast time slot and at least one of the following information:

• a forecast temperature;
• a forecast wind speed;
• a forecast sunshine.

This information, which is of a different but complementary nature for subsequent processing, is treated separately and assigns different matrices which can be used at several levels of calculation, as it is will see in the sequel. Some information can be used directly by the electronic controller.

• la zone géographique correspondant au découpage administratif ;
• un coefficient environnemental ;
• un coefficient des apports solaires.

The input parameters that are related to the building include:

• the geographical area corresponding to the administrative division;
• an environmental coefficient;
• a coefficient of solar gains.

Here again, as for the parameters resulting from the meteorological data, they are treated separately, in order to obtain corrective matrix values meeting specific and differentiated objectives.

More specifically, the environmental coefficient can in particular be calculated from the insulation coefficient of the building and its geographical location in or out of the urban site.

The solar heat gain coefficient can be calculated from the orientation / exposure of the house and the ratio of m ² sunny glazed m ² to be heated.

It acts as a corrective aiming at individualizing the specific situation of the house, in terms of implantation on site, construction, etc ..., compared to the situation of possible sunshine.

The object of the invention is indeed an optimization operation, taking into account all the features that can be modeled directly or indirectly and that can have an influence on the interior temperature of the building, and therefore on the heating mode.

Using the example above, the solar input, for example on a winter day, is clearly not the same in a house with large windows overlooking the south as in a habitat with reduced surface openings. and with thick walls providing good insulation at home.

The optimization system of the invention can be implemented with several types of control devices. These electronic regulators are generally based on a regulation algorithm and then comprise according to the invention inputs receiving corrective parameters variables used in the algorithm, said parameters being derived from the auxiliary block.

According to one possibility, the electronic regulator can be based on the law and the corresponding heating curve, the corrective input parameters coming from the auxiliary block then respectively consisting of a slope correction value and an offset value of the curve.

The general approach is based on the knowledge of the weather forecast at t + At, for example t + 12 hours or at t + 18 hours, which can cause changes in the heating curve.

One of the aims of this approach is to avoid overheating for a night before a sunny day, or not enough heat for the house when a strong wind is expected to blow the next day.

The values of correction of the slope and of the shift of the curve are obtained by reading the different input parameters of the auxiliary block, then selecting corresponding values in the matrices, making it possible to obtain directly or in one or two calculation steps the correction values in question to the controller.

Thus, the shift coefficient of the curve can be obtained by selecting a matrix value in a so-called product matrix whose values are pre-established by means of parameters characterizing the solar power, the coefficient of solar gains and the expected irradiation.

The parameter characterizing the solar power is itself derived from a so-called solar matrix built from the current date, the time slot and the geographical area.

All these data are either provided automatically, for example by a weather station, or set by the user or the installer (especially the geographical area).

The slope correction coefficient can be obtained by a so-called wind matrix whose pre-established matrix values and the value selected are obtained on the basis of the predictable wind speed and the environmental coefficient.

It should be noted that the auxiliary unit may further include an output emitting a signal closing / opening automated shutters. Thus, the system acts from the inside to modify its own conditions of use, in a manner similar to a self-referential system. The opening / closing of the automated shutters indeed modifies certain parameters related to the building, in particular as regards the insulation, solar gains, etc.

Similarly, the auxiliary unit may comprise an output emitting a control signal of a controlled mechanical ventilation, that is to say that it also acts internally on the system setting.

Such actions are of course only possible in a home domotized, that is to say having control systems for processing information from automated devices, influencing in this case the internal temperature conditions.

According to a variant, the optimization system of the invention can be applied to an electronic controller based on a PID type control, and which then comprises on its inputs corrective parameters respectively proportional, derived and integrated values, said parameters being according to the invention from the auxiliary block.

The present invention is therefore based on this auxiliary regulation correction unit containing in memory different matrices, that is to say in practice tables with two or three dimensions including a simple consultation using parameters that have allowed its constitution allows to have an output value, without any calculation.

The content of these matrices is the result of complex work done upstream, and based on calculations, calibration and experience. It allows to constantly manage the heating control system by providing for the situations that can present parameters corrective measures anticipating their impact on the behavior of the heating system by modeling their impact on the building

Preferably, the heating is produced during periods when the cost of energy is reduced, and then restored via storage heating means, so as to further optimize the operation of the system economically.

• acquisition via un bloc auxiliaire de correction connecté au régulateur électronique de paramètres fonctions de caractéristiques propres au bâtiment ou issus de prévisions météorologiques,
• sélection au moyens de ces paramètres d'au mois une valeur d'une ou plusieurs matrices prédéterminées stockées dans le bloc auxiliaire,
• envoi au régulateur électronique en sortie du bloc auxiliaire d'un ou plusieurs paramètres correctifs correspondant à des valeurs directement issues des matrices ou traitées par le bloc auxiliaire.

The invention also relates to a method of optimizing the regulation of the heating of a building according to meteorological forecasts based on a system as above, said regulation being based on an electronic regulator comprising a regulation algorithm and providing a temperature setpoint of the heating water of the building produced by a boiler from the outside temperature and a set temperature for the indoor ambient air, and characterized in that it principally presents the following steps:

• acquisition via an auxiliary correction unit connected to the electronic controller of parameters characteristics of characteristics specific to the building or derived from weather forecasts,
• selecting by means of these parameters of the month a value of one or more predetermined matrices stored in the auxiliary block,
• sending to the electronic regulator at the output of the auxiliary block of one or more correction parameters corresponding to values directly derived from the matrices or processed by the auxiliary block.

Assuming that the electronic regulator is based on the law and the corresponding heating curve, the corrective input parameters coming from the auxiliary block are of course the same as for the system above, and consist respectively of a value of correction of the slope and an offset value of the curve.

• le coefficient de décalage de la courbe est obtenu par sélection d'une valeur matricielle dans une matrice produit dont les valeurs sont préétablies au moyen de paramètres caractérisant la puissance solaire, le coefficient des apports solaires et l'ensoleillement prévu par les prévisions météorologiques ;
• la puissance solaire est issue d'une matrice dite solaire dont les valeurs sont préétablies à partir de la date du jour, la plage horaire et la zone géographique ;
• le coefficient des apports solaires est calculé à partir de l'orientation/exposition de la maison et du rapport des m² de vitrage ensoleillés aux m² à chauffer ; et
• le coefficient de correction de la pente est obtenu par sélection d'une valeur matricielle dans une matrice dite des vents dont les valeurs sont préétablies sur la base de la vitesse prévisible du vent et du coefficient environnemental.

In this case, and always to correspond to the regulation system of the invention:

• the offset coefficient of the curve is obtained by selecting a matrix value in a product matrix whose values are pre-established by means of parameters characterizing solar power, the coefficient of solar gain and the amount of sunshine forecast by weather forecasts;
• the solar power comes from a so-called solar matrix whose values are pre-established from the current date, the time slot and the geographical area;
• the solar gain coefficient is calculated from the orientation / exposure of the house and the ratio of m ² sunny glazed m ² to be heated; and
• the slope correction coefficient is obtained by selecting a matrix value in a so-called wind matrix whose values are pre-established on the basis of the predictable wind speed and the environmental coefficient.

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématique de l'application de l'invention à un dispositif de régulation électronique basé sur la loi et la courbe de chauffe ;
• la figure 2 représente un exemple de structure, sur une base matricielle, du bloc auxiliaire de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématique éclatée de l'une des matrices utilisées dans la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 montre un exemple d'application de la solution de l'invention à un régulateur électronique basé sur une commande de type PID ; et
• la figure 5 représente le cas général d'un système dont le régulateur électronique est basé sur un algorithme de régulation.

The invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended figures, for which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic representation of the application of the invention to an electronic regulation device based on the law and the heating curve;
• the figure 2 represents an exemplary structure, on a matrix basis, of the auxiliary block of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is an exploded schematic representation of one of the matrices used in the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 shows an example of application of the solution of the invention to an electronic controller based on a PID type command; and
• the figure 5 represents the general case of a system whose electronic regulator is based on a regulation algorithm.

With reference to the figure 1 , the heating control device of a building according to the invention comprises an electronic regulator (1) supplying a temperature setpoint to a controller (2) of a valve (3) three-way based on the outside temperature and a set input temperature.

The control signal from the controller (2) acts on the valve (3) at the outlet of a boiler (4). In the example shown, which is however not limiting of the invention, the heating is effected via a heating floor (5).

In the devices of the prior art, what has just been described was in most cases the entire heating control device integrated into a dwelling.

The invention, making it possible to optimize the regulation device, is characterized by the addition of an auxiliary unit (6) acting as a system for correcting the regulation parameters as a function, in particular, of meteorological forecasts.

This correction block, however, does not work solely on the basis of meteorological characteristics proper: other parameters related to housing and its implementation are also taken into account. Thus, the contribution of heating from the sun is taken into account, by means of a so-called solar coefficient which reflects for example the surface of the windows, and / or their exposure with respect to the cardinal directions.

In addition, a so-called environmental coefficient allows a weighting resulting in particular from the insulation characteristics of the building, and / or the implantation in an urban or rural environment, etc.

Finally, the geographical area, which has a direct influence on the sunshine and the temperatures, is also taken into account.

In the event of figure 1 the regulation is effected by the heating law, and the calculations of the output setpoint are thus carried out using a heating curve. In this case, all the corrections made by the auxiliary block (6) apply to said heating curve. In this case, two additional input parameters are taken into account by the control block (1), which parameters are derived from the auxiliary block (6) of correction.

It is a corrective value of the slope (Δ _slope ) of the heating curve on the one hand, and an offset value (Δ _offset ) of the other curve, these two values taking into consideration the aforementioned elements related to meteorological situations and to the environment / location / nature of the building.

As already mentioned, the auxiliary block (6) carrying out the correction of the regulation parameters is based on precomputed matrices giving, according to the input parameters of this block (6), values that can be used directly, without going through complex calculations. for example based on algorithms or sets of algorithms.

An example of treatment using matrices is given in figure 2 . This example applies to the configuration of the figure 1 in which the regulation is made by the heating law. In this hypothesis, a first so-called solar matrix allows a correction related to solar energy potentially received during a given time slot, depending on the day and the geographical area concerned. It is a three-dimensional matrix, an example of which is given in figure 3 . Each value of the matrix corresponds to an individualized corrective parameter which depends on the three aforementioned information.

The value chosen in this matrix is used in a second matrix called product, whose other parameters are the expected _sun exposure and a coefficient (k _sun ) already mentioned, and which takes into account in particular the exposure, the surface of the windows, etc. This matrix produced may, according to an alternative, be replaced by a simple calculation formula.

At the output, it provides a correction value (Δ _offset ) generally due to the solar gains, and which allows an adequate offset of the heating curve. This correction value (Δ _offset ) is sent to the input of the main electronic control unit (1).

It should be noted that an output of the auxiliary block (6) linked to this matrix can also be used for the control of the shutters of the house, insofar as this command is automated. Variations in flap positions may in turn alter the calculation of the corrective value, for example example by opening the windows shutters facing south in winter.

The slope correction value (Δ _slope ) of the heating curve is obtained at the output of a so-called wind matrix, the values of which are obtained on the basis of the wind speed as predicted by the meteorological station, as well as an environmental coefficient (k _{environmental} ) taking into account the insulation, the environment of the dwelling, etc.

It should be noted that the auxiliary block, via this matrix, can also provide information to a controlled mechanical ventilation device (VMC) integrated into the dwelling.

The figure 4 substantially the same elements as the figure 1 , for an electronic control unit based on a different technology than the previous one. Thus, instead of a regulation based on the heating law, the calculation of the regulation is based on a PID type control with three corrective values (Δ _{product coefficient} , Δ _{derivative coefficient} and Δ integration _coefficient . ).

The patterns of figure 1 and figure 4 are actually special cases of the configuration appearing in figure 5 reporting corrective values (DK ₁ ) and (DK ₂ ).

In these last two figures 4 and 5 the corresponding electronic regulators (1 ', 1 ") are therefore different from the regulator (1) of the figure 1 . The auxiliary blocks (6 ', 6 ") for correcting the regulation parameters are also different, since sending to the address of said electronic regulators (1', 1") correction values adapted to the type of calculation used. in said regulators (1 ', 1 ").

The various examples illustrated with reference to the figures are of course not exhaustive of the invention, which includes variants related in particular to the type of regulation.

Claims (20)

1. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts, said device comprising an electronic regulator (1, 1', 1") supplying a temperature setpoint for the water heating of the building produced by a boiler from the outdoor temperature and from a setpoint temperature for the indoor ambient air, and comprising an auxiliary correction block (6, 6', 6") connected to the electronic regulator (1, 1', 1"), said block (6, 6', 6") being provided with inputs that can be parameterized based on characteristics specific to the building and that are linked to a weather centre, characterized in that said auxiliary block (6, 6', 6") comprises storage means for a plurality of predetermined matrices whose values are established from variables corresponding to the input parameters linked to the weather forecasts and to the building, a value of each matrix being selected and used directly or combined by processing means with values from other matrices in order to supply to the electronic regulator (1, 1', 1") as output from the auxiliary block (6, 6', 6") one or more corrective input parameters.
2. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to Claim 1, characterized in that the auxiliary block (6, 6', 6") is connected to a weather centre supplying it with the period of time and at least one of the following information items:

   - a forecasted temperature;

   - a forecasted wind speed;

   - a forecasted sunshine.
3. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the input parameters linked to the building comprise:

   - the geographic area corresponding to the administrative zoning;

   - an environmental coefficient (k_{environnemental});

   - a solar input coefficient (k_soleil).
4. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to Claim 3, characterized in that the environmental coefficient (k_{environnemental}) is calculated from the insulation coefficient of the building and its geographic location in or outside of an urban site.
5. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to one of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the solar input coefficient (k_soleil) is calculated from the orientation/exposure of the house and the ratio of m² of glazing in sunlight to the m² to be heated.
6. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electronic regulator (1, 1', 1") is based on a regulation algorithm and comprises inputs receiving corrective parameters (ΔK₁, ΔK₂) for the variables used in the algorithm, said parameters being obtained from the auxiliary block (6, 6', 6").
7. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electronic regulator (1) is based on the heating law and the corresponding heating curve, the corrective input parameters obtained from the auxiliary block (6) consisting respectively of a slope correction value (Δ_pente) and a curve offset value (Δ_offset).
8. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to Claim 7, characterized in that the curve offset coefficient (Δ_offset) is obtained by selection of a matrix value in a so-called product matrix whose values are pre-established by means of parameters characterizing the solar power, the solar input coefficient and the forecast sunlight.
9. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to Claim 8, characterized in that the parameter characterizing the solar power is obtained from a so-called solar matrix whose values are pre-established from the day's date, the period of time and the geographic area.
10. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to any one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the slope correction coefficient is obtained by a so-called wind matrix whose pre-established matrix values and the selected value are obtained on the basis of the wind speed that can be forecast and the environmental coefficient (k_{environnemental}).
11. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the auxiliary block (6, 6', 6") comprises an output emitting an automated shutter closure/opening signal.
12. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the auxiliary block (6, 6', 6") comprises an output emitting a control signal for a controlled mechanical ventilation (VMC).
13. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 and 11-12, characterized in that the electronic regulator (1') is based on a control of PID type and comprises, on its inputs, corrective parameters respectively for the proportional (Δ_{coeff. produit}), derivative (Δ_{coeff. dérivation}) and integral (Δ_{coeff. intégration}) values, said parameters being obtained from the auxiliary block (6').
14. System for optimizing a device for regulating the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the heating is produced during periods in which the energy cost is reduced, then restored via accumulation heating means.
15. Method for optimizing the regulation of the heating of a building based on weather forecasts based on a system according to the preceding claims, said regulation being based on an electronic regulator (1, 1', 1") comprising a regulation algorithm and supplying a temperature setpoint for the heating water of the building produced by a boiler from the outdoor temperature and from a setpoint temperature of the indoor ambient air, characterized in that it has the following steps:

    - acquisition, via a correction auxiliary block (6, 6', 6") connected to the electronic regulator (1, 1', 1") of parameters that are functions of characteristics specific to the building or derived from weather forecasts,

    - selection, by means of these parameters, of at least one value of one or more predetermined matrices stored in the auxiliary block (6, 6', 6"),

    - sending, to the electronic regulator (1, 1', 1") as output from the auxiliary block (6, 6', 6"), of one or more corrective parameters corresponding to values directly obtained from the matrices or processed by the auxiliary block (6, 6', 6").
16. Method for optimizing the regulation of the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to Claim 1, characterized in that, the electronic regulator (1) being based on the heating law and the corresponding heating curve, the corrective input parameters obtained from the auxiliary block (6) consist respectively of a slope correction value (Δ_pente) and a curve offset value (Δ_offset).
17. Method for optimizing the regulation of the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to Claim 16, characterized in that the curve offset coefficient (Δ_offset) is obtained by selection of a matrix value in a so-called product matrix whose values are pre-established by means of parameters characterizing the solar power, the solar input coefficient (k_soleil) and the sunlight forecast by the weather forecasts.
18. Method for optimizing the regulation of the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to Claim 17, characterized in that the parameter characterizing the solar power is obtained from a so-called solar matrix whose values are pre-established from the day's date, the periode of time and the geographic area.
19. Method for optimizing the regulation of the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to one of Claims 17 and 18, characterized in that the solar input coefficient (k_soleil) is calculated from the orientation/exposure of the house and the ratio of the m² of glazing in sunlight to the m² to be heated.
20. Method for optimizing the regulation of the heating of a building based on weather forecasts according to one of Claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the slope correction coefficient (k_pente) is obtained by selection of a matrix value in a so-called wind matrix whose values are pre-established on the basis of the wind speed that can be forecast and the environmental coefficient (k_{environnemental}).

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