EP2721351A1

EP2721351A1 - Heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning device with targeted power-supply management

Info

Publication number: EP2721351A1
Application number: EP12731522.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bruno Heintz; Jean-Marc Oury; Hugues LEFEBVRE DE SAINT GERMAIN; Pierre BIVAS; Mathieu BINEAU
Original assignee: Voltalis SA
Current assignee: Voltalis SA
Priority date: 2011-06-15
Filing date: 2012-06-12
Publication date: 2014-04-23
Also published as: CN103765115A; US20140290905A1; IL229915B; CA2838410A1; JP2014517247A; WO2012172193A1; CA2838410C; US10060657B2; CN103765115B; ZA201309481B; FR2976654A1; FR2976654B1; JP6092855B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning device (1) including at least a first component (9) for generating heat and/or cold, at least a second component (13), a power supply circuit (3) shared by the first and second components, and a controller (4) for the power supply circuit (3). The first and the second components cooperate to output air at a selected temperature. The device is characterized in that it further includes a relay (5) for cutting off the supply of power to the first component (9). The relay (5) can be activated separately from the controller (4), and is arranged in the circuit such that the supply of power to the second component (13) is independent of the state of activation of the relay (5).

Description

Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device with targeted power management.

The present invention relates to a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device. This type of device is usually referred to by its acronym: HVAC or HVAC equivalent, for "Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning" in English. The invention equally aims heaters, air conditioning and combinations thereof. Current energy costs impose a fine and controlled management of electricity consumption. This management is necessary both at the level of the electrical devices themselves and in the electrical networks that supply them. Regulating power grid consumption on a regional or country scale can include local actions, for example, on a plurality of homes.

Existing energy management systems take various forms. From the simplest electric home heating thermostat to the centralized management of entire buildings, these systems make it possible to control the supply of electrical appliances according to received instructions.

The Applicant has already proposed a method for the management and modulation in real time of a power consumption in the French patent published under the number FR 2 904 486. This method allows on the one hand to analyze the power consumption of a multiplicity end-users, and compare it to the power available on the grid at all times. This method also makes it possible to selectively modulate the power supply of certain electrical appliances at these end users. The modulation of the power coupled with the consumption analysis of a large number of users makes it possible to adapt the power consumption to the production available at a given moment. In other words, instead of increasing the energy production in case of increased demand, it becomes possible to counterbalance this increase by reducing consumption in some parts of the network. This is called "diffuse erasure".

Diffuse erasure makes it possible to minimize sudden changes in energy requirements (for example, early evening in winter), in order to limit the financial consequences of energy peaks. Indeed, these are usually offset by the setting in operation of inactive production equipment or purchases to a foreign network. Both solutions are very expensive.

This process has proven itself. Nevertheless, it involves regular power interruptions. This is not compatible with some electrical appliances with fragile electronic components that can withstand sudden and repeated power interruptions.

This process is also incompatible with some electrical devices that require data retention. Some devices are indeed intended to be powered, even in a standby state, to preserve the information contained in their internal memory. A power interruption such as that provided by the Applicant's method can compromise this memory and cause malfunctions.

Other devices still have a use such that a power interruption causes immediate inconvenience for the user. Again these devices are not very compatible with this process.

As a result, many devices are not used to implement the method. This deprives it of some of its efficiency and limits the possible savings, both energy and financial.

In addition, there is currently no harmonized set of commands between different models of air conditioners and other heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning. Their control by generic equipment is therefore complicated, and no reliable solution exists.

The present invention improves the situation described above.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device comprising at least one first heat and / or cold generation component, at least one second component, a common electrical supply circuit to the first and second components, and a control of the circuit power. The first and second components cooperate to produce air at a selected temperature. The device is remarkable in that it further comprises a relay, to interrupt the power supply of the first component. The relay can be activated independently of the control, and be arranged in the supply circuit so that the power supply of the second component is independent of the activation state of the relay.

This device is particularly advantageous because it allows a selective modulation of the power supply within a device. Some components can therefore be controlled by a foreign system to the electrical device itself. These components can be temporarily modulated without negative consequences for the device or for the user. At the same time, the power supply of certain other components, for which a permanent power supply is necessary, or for which an extinction is not desired, can be maintained. The fragile electronic components can thus be preserved from electrical failure. Such a device is not concerned with the problems of standardization of the controls of the devices because it directly affects the power supply of the components that one wishes to control. The components are chosen so that their shutdown does not cause discomfort. In other words, the device allows an intermediate mode of operation of the apparatus. This intermediate mode of operation is remotely activatable by an external control member. This type of device is particularly suitable for the field of heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning devices, for example air conditioners or programmable electric heaters. The operation of devices according to the invention is particularly advantageous in combination with methods and systems for managing and modulating in real time the power consumption, for example that mentioned above. However, the device of the invention could be used with other similar methods.

The invention may take the form of a kit comprising the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device and the pilot arranged to control the device. The pilot can be controlled remotely by a management system and modulation in real time of the power consumption.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the device of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the device of FIG. 1 in a circuit embodying the method of document FR 2 904 486.

The attached drawings are essentially of a certain character, and may not only serve to complete the invention, but also contribute to its definition, if any.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device 1 is an air conditioner. The air conditioner 1 comprises a supply circuit 3, a control 4 of the supply circuit 3, a relay 5, a heat exchanger 7 and a plurality of ancillary components 13, 15, 17 and 19. The control 4 is, in the example described here, a manual switch. Alternatively, the control 4 can be remote controlled and / or automatic. The heat exchanger 7 comprises a cold generating component. In the example shown, the component of cold generation comprises a compressor 9 which is part of a closed circuit 1 1 heat transfer fluid. The auxiliary components comprise, in the example described here, a programmer 13 and air distribution fans 15, 17 and 19. The compressor 9 of the heat exchanger 7 as well as the ancillary components 13, 15, 17 and 19 are electrically powered via the power supply circuit 3. The relay 5 is electrically arranged between the power supply source and the compressor 9 of the heat exchanger 7.

The operation of the air conditioner 1 is controlled by the programmer 13. The programmer 13 is, in the example described here, integrated with the air conditioner 1 and is dedicated to it. Alternatively, the programmer 13 can be deported and communicate with the air conditioner 1 by any known means. The programmer 13 can also control a set of air conditioners similar to the air conditioner 1. The programmer 13 can also control other devices, for example heaters.

Relay 5 has at least one "open" position and one "closed" position. In the closed position, the relay 5 is electrically equivalent to a closed switch, and passes the current between the power source, the supply circuit 3 and the compressor 9 of the heat exchanger 7. The air conditioner 1 is in conventional operating mode, which allows the simultaneous operation of all its components. When the heat exchanger 7 is activated, the cold generation function is operational, as are the fans 15, 17 and 19. The air conditioner 1 can produce at the outlet of the air at the set temperature of the programmer 13.

In the open position, the relay 5 operates as an open switch, and prevents the flow of current between the supply circuit 3 and the compressor 9 of the heat exchanger 7. The air conditioner 1 is then in "economic" operating mode and the supply of the compressor 9 is stopped. The circulation of the coolant in the closed circuit 11 is stopped. Since the film 5 is only coupled to the compressor 9 in the supply circuit 3, the open position of the relay 5 does not affect the power supply of the ancillary components 13, 15, 17 and 19. The relay 5 is therefore arranged in the supply circuit 3 so that the supply of the ancillary components 13, 15, 17 and 19 is independent of the activation state of the relay 5. The air mixing by the air conditioner 1 by means of the fans 15, 17 and 19 remains possible, and the control of the operation of the air conditioner 1 by the programmer 13 and / or the control 4 is maintained.

The operation of the air conditioner 1 with the relay 5 in the open position, ensures the mixing of air but no longer ensures the cooling of this air. Such a mode of operation makes it possible to preserve a feeling of freshness for the user by stirring, while stopping the energy consumption of the compressor 9.

During an established use of the air conditioner 1, that is to say around a setpoint temperature of the programmer 13, the compressor 9 of the heat exchanger 7 is stopped for a short time, for example during approximately half an hour, can be done without the user perceives a loss of comfort. In contrast, in the case where the fans 15, 17 and 19 are stopped during the same short period, stopping the air mixing and the compressor 9 would result in an increase in temperature, and a stagnation of air . This would result in a very quick and noticeable loss of comfort for the user. The economic mode of operation thus allows a significant energy saving while maintaining the feeling of climate coolness for the user.

This operating mode therefore limits the total consumption of the air conditioner 1 to the energy consumed by the ancillary components 13, 15, 17 and 19. This is favorable from an energy point of view because the compressor 9 is generally the most consumer-consuming component air conditioner 1.

In other words, in economic mode, air convection ensures comfort, that is to say, thermal well-being. This convection, within a closed space, promotes the heat exchange between the bodies, here that of the user, and the ambient air. In this mode, the air conditioner 1 does not necessarily reduce the actual average temperature of the room. However, this temperature is homogenized in the room by ventilation, which optimizes the heat exchange.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the operation of the relay 5 is controlled remotely by a pilot 21. The communication between the pilot 21 and the relay 5 can be carried out by means of communication of the relay 5. These means can comprise for example a wired link, a transceiver by CPL (in-line carrier currents), radio waves, WiFi, infrared or by any other suitable means. The activation, that is to say the opening of the relay 5, by the pilot 21, or its deactivation, that is to say the closing of the relay 5, may result from a direct programming on the pilot 21 by the user. The commands of the driver 21 can be remotely programmed when the driver 21 is connected to an external network, for example by means of a GPRS modem and an unrepresented antenna and / or, by means of a link to an ADSL modem (via WiFi, CPL Or other). The commands of the driver 21 can also be previously programmed in an internal memory of the driver 21.

The relay 5 may comprise alternatively a circuit for measuring the power consumption of the compressor 9. This measurement can be performed by means of an induction loop. This data can be sent via the communication means of the relay 5 to the driver 21 for processing by it. In other embodiments, other elements may be used for the measuring circuit.

The pilot 21 can also control other electrical devices including a relay 5, air conditioners or others. In the example presented here, the driver 21 is of the type of the box described in the French patent published under the number FR 2 904 486.

The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device of the invention can be obtained by installing in any air conditioner relay 5, electrically upstream of the compressor 9 of the heat exchanger 7, and downstream of the source of food electric. It is therefore possible to adapt existing air conditioners. The relay 5 can also be integrated into the electrical circuit of the air conditioner 1 from its conception. The relay 5 is controllable independently of the control 4 of the power supply circuit 3 of the device 1 and its state does not depend on the operating mode thereof. This means that the intervention of the user on a control means of the device 1, distinct from the driver 21, has no effect on the relay 5.

The installation of the relay 5 in existing air conditioners includes the electrical connection of the relay 5. For practical and aesthetic reasons, the installation preferably includes the physical arrangement of the relay 5 inside the air conditioner. Such an intervention is fast, simple and inexpensive. The small size of relay 5, and the simplicity of the electrical connection allow adaptation to the vast majority of models of air conditioners already on the market. Such an installation preserves pre-existing air conditioner control systems, such as controls, remote controls, or other user interfaces. The invention makes it possible to avoid problems of adaptation to the various communication standards adopted by the various manufacturers by intervening directly on the internal power supply of the components.

The electrical modulation effected via the relay 5 preserves the information stored in the programmer 13. Since the compressor 9 is generally insensitive to sudden changes in electrical current, the electrical modulation does not therefore affect the fragile electronic components of the air conditioner 1.

Alternatively, the heater, ventilation and / or air conditioning 1 may be an electric heater. In this case, the device is similar to that of Figure 1, with the difference that the heat exchanger 7 comprises a heat generating component, for example with electrical resistors. The compressor 9 and the closed circuit 1 1 heat transfer fluid can in this embodiment be replaced by a heating element. The operation of the relay 5 is similar to that of the air conditioner of Figure 1: the heater can be modulated in a controlled manner independently of the control 4 of the power supply circuit 3 of the device. For example, even in the open position of the relay 5, the fans and / or thermostats, considered as additional components, can continue to operate. The electric heater may also not include a fan, and include a thermostat only while being within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a schematic diagram of an installation comprising the device 1 of FIG. 1 coupled to a pilot 21. The pilot 21 also controls the supply of apparatuses 25 and 27, and a set of apparatuses 24 For this, the driver 21 controls relays 22 which are electrically interposed between a general power supply 33, for example the general electrical supply of a dwelling, and the electrical circuits of the appliances 24, 25 and 27.

For example, the electric circuit comprises an assembly 23 of electric heaters 24, a water heater 25, an inverter 27, and an air conditioner 1 as described with FIG. 1. The relays 22 are connected to the pilot 21 by suitable communication channels, for example by wire connection, on line power line (PLC), by radio waves, by WiFi, by infrared or by any other suitable means. The relays 22 function as switches allowing or not the power supply of the apparatuses 24, 25, and 27 or sets of apparatuses 23. These relays 22 can be arranged at the level of the general power supply panel, on the supply channels chosen to power the devices to be controlled. The supply line of the air conditioner 1 is not relay 22 because the air conditioner 1 must not be deprived of power for the reasons detailed above. On the other hand, the pilot 21 is also in communication with the relay 5, not shown in FIG. 2, of the air conditioner 1. It appears that the device 1 and the pilot 21 can be sold and / or installed together or separately, and thus form a kit .

According to the method of the French patent published under number FR 2 904 486, a central server 31 manages a plurality of pilots similar to the pilot 21, and distributed in multiple dwellings. The central server 31 sends short modulation commands, of the order of ten minutes, to some of the drivers 21, depending of the desired consumption adaptation. The drivers 21 to apply a modulation are alternated so as to reduce the total consumption durably while limiting the modulation time generated by each of the drivers 21. The invention makes it possible to significantly reduce the power consumption of a climate control device without reducing significantly, and generate localized and short-term power interruptions in a device while preserving selected electronic components. The invention can be implemented with the vast majority of existing heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning, with a minor intervention. The cost of installing the relay in existing devices is offset by the energy savings achieved. The invention allows economical operation of the devices according to the invention and to centralize the control of these modes of operation. Such an apparatus allows a centralized control at the scale of a housing, or a very wide set of housing.

Claims

claims

Heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning device (1) comprising at least a first heat-generating and / or cold-generating component (9), at least a second component (13), a supply circuit (3) common to the first and second components, and a control (4) of the supply circuit (3), the first and second components cooperating to produce at the output of the air at a selected temperature, characterized in that it comprises in addition to a relay (5), to interrupt the supply of the first component (9), said relay (5) being able to be activated independently of the control (4), and being arranged in the supply circuit (3) so that the supply of the second component (13) is independent of the activation state of the relay (5).

Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the first component (9) comprises a compressor.

3. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the first component (9) comprises a heating element.

4. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second component comprises a programmer (13).

5. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second component comprises at least one fan (15)

6. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the relay (5) comprises a circuit for measuring the power consumption of the first component (9).

7. Heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the relay (5) comprises a wired communication means, in-line carrier currents (CPL), by radio waves, via WiFi and / or infrared.

8. Kit comprising at least one heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a pilot (21) arranged for controlling the relay (5) of said heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device (D-

9. Kit according to claim 8 wherein the driver (21) can drive other relays.

10. Kit according to one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the driver (21) can be controlled remotely by a management system and real-time modulation of the power consumption.