FR2849935A1 - Building equipment e.g. temperature regulating equipment, controlling installation, has higher hierarchic level controller including generating and transmitting unit for transmitting control orders to reception unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The installation (1) has a higher hierarchic level controller (2) including a generating (22) and transmitting unit for simultaneously transmitting control orders of a building equipment (4) to a reception unit of a lower hierarchic level controller (3). A selection unit selects a particular control order among the orders for controlling the equipment corresponding to the selected order. An Independent claim is also included for a method for controlling building equipment.

Description

The invention relates to a control installation for equipment of the

  building comprising at least one controller at lower hierarchical level for controlling at least one item of equipment in the building and at least one controller at higher hierarchical level. It also relates to a method for controlling electrical equipment by means of a higher-level controller and a

  lower level controller.

  Equipment such as temperature control equipment, sun protection equipment, lighting equipment, alarm devices are cooperating more and more often to ensure predefined conditions of temperature, brightness, security in the buildings.

  It is known to define different environments according to dominant criteria, for example, a dominant criterion "comfort" ensuring a pleasant brightness and an ambient temperature or a dominant criterion "energy saving" minimizing the energy expenditure of the building equipment. These two dominant criteria can imply different reactions of the building equipment, while the conditions outside the building are the same.

  Installations are known which make it possible to manage equipment so as to reconcile user comfort criteria and energy saving criteria.

  From US Pat. No. 6,064,949, an installation is known which manages control orders towards sun protection equipment and other electrical equipment as a function of sunshine parameters and MS \ 2.S649. 12FR.454.dpt temperature for example, so as to create an optimized environment, balanced by user comfort criteria and energy saving criteria. In the event that no compromise can be found, the installation orders to carry out commands making it possible to obtain the environment whose criteria have the highest weighting. The different configurations are based on fuzzy logic rules. This installation has certain drawbacks, in particular, it does not specifically provide for the implementation of central and local management in a building.

  On the other hand, an installation comprising control units on two hierarchical levels, known as master units, or central units and slave or local units, is known from patent application EP 1 091 079. The master units can transmit information to the 15 or the slave units of the installation. A slave unit fitted with a transmitter-receiver communication module can also transmit information to another slave unit. The master control unit has means for determining whether the issuance of control orders is authorized and the slave units have means for determining whether the received control orders can be accepted as valid. This centralized control installation allows local management of control orders. This installation does not provide for the centralized management of different equipment interacting with each other.

  The object of the invention is to provide an installation improving the installations known from the prior art and overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks.

  In particular, the invention proposes to make an installation allowing a user to define the environment which he wishes to obtain and also making it possible to operate the equipment of localized areas of the building in a mode different from the rest of the building. so MS \ 2.S649. 12FR.454.dpt to create a special environment. The invention also proposes to provide an installation allowing central and local management of different equipment interacting with each other.

  The electrical equipment control installation according to the invention is characterized in that the controller or controllers of a higher hierarchical level comprise means for generating and transmitting at least two simultaneous control orders for the same equipment and in that the controller or controllers of the lower hierarchical level comprise means for receiving control orders issued by the controller or controllers of the higher hierarchical level, means of selecting a control order for an item of equipment from the orders of simultaneous command received and means of transmitting a command order executable by this equipment corresponding to the selected order.

  The means for generating control orders of the higher hierarchical level controller can therefore calculate at least two control orders for the same item of equipment to be sent simultaneously to the lower hierarchical level. The selection of the command order to be sent to an item of equipment can therefore be performed by this lower level, from among the plurality of command orders originating from the upper level.

  The controller or controllers of higher hierarchical level can send to the controllers of lower hierarchical level information defining the different control orders issued simultaneously to the controller or controllers of lower hierarchical level.

  MS \ 2.S649. 1 2FR.454.dpt Preferably, the at least two command orders issued by the higher-level controller correspond to different criteria reflecting different desired environments in the building.

  Preferably, the installation can operate in several operational modes. The controller or controllers of a higher hierarchical level then comprise means for selecting operational modes.

  According to an additional characteristic, the controller or controllers of higher hierarchical level send to the controller or controllers of lower hierarchical level information defining the operational mode of the installation, at least when the operational mode of the installation changes.

  This information may include authorizing or prohibiting the controller (s) at the lower hierarchical level from generating their own control orders.

  The installation can comprise two hierarchical levels, an upper level comprising at least one central controller and a lower level comprising at least one local controller.

  Thus, control is carried out in certain operational modes by the upper hierarchical level, centrally and in other operational modes, by the lower hierarchical level locally, in order to better meet the expectations of users (manager or local user). .

  An operational mode is based on dominant criteria, for example, of the "comfort" or "energy saving" type, the means of MS \ 2.S649. 12GB. 454.dpt switching from one to the other and their local application. The operational mode thus defines the behavior of the different equipment.

  Preferably, the installation is of the multi-control type, that is to say that it makes it possible to manage several pieces of equipment, possibly of different natures, in parallel, simultaneously or as a function of each other.

  Preferably, the installation offers the possibility of recording, modifying or deleting parameters linked to different types of equipment and / or to different situations characterizing a desired environment.

  The control method according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises, for at least one item of equipment, in a given operational mode, the following steps: a. generation and transmission by the higher-level controller of at least two simultaneous control commands intended for the equipment, b. reception, by the controller of the lower hierarchical level, of the control orders, c. selection, by the lower hierarchical controller, of a control order from the control orders received, d. transmission, by the controller of lower hierarchical level, to the equipment of an executable control order corresponding to the selected order.

  In at least one other operational mode, the higher-level controller can generate and issue a single command order per device.

  MS \ 2.S649. 12FR.454.dpt The lower hierarchical level controller can translate the selected control orders from the higher hierarchical level controller into control orders directly executable by the devices.

  The accompanying drawing shows, by way of example, an embodiment of the installation according to the invention.

  FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of an embodiment of the installation according to the invention.

  FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of this embodiment of the installation.

  The installation 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a central controller 2 controlling one or more local controllers 3, each local controller 3 controls one or more items of equipment in a building grouped together in the same area. The central controller 2 is part of a network of central controllers linked together for example by means of a communication bus and configured by a configuration member 5.

  Optionally, the central controller can operate independently. It is then configured by an external configuration device 5, for example of the computer type. The central controller 2 can also integrate the configuration device and have user interfaces such as a display screen and an input keyboard.

  Dominant criteria are defined at the level of the controller or the configuration body. These dominant criteria are for example: - a comfort criterion, - an energy saving criterion, - a security or other criterion, MS \ 2.S649. 1 2FR.454.dpt - a criterion weighing several of the criteria mentioned above.

  The dominant criteria and the characteristics specific to the installation are represented by a set of parameters, stored in level 5 of the central controller or of the configuration unit. These parameters are for example set points, thresholds, hysteresis, curves, thermal inertia, transmission coefficients or others. They relate to values of brightness, temperature, energy consumption or time for example. These parameters 10 define one or more environments in the building, corresponding to the dominant criteria.

  The building manager can modify these parameters at the level of the central controller 2 or the configuration unit 5.

  The central controller also receives a set of information from a set of central sensors 6, for example meteorological information, the temperature at different locations in the building, the presence or absence of a user in a room. These 20 sensors therefore provide information on the environment inside and outside the building.

  N + 1 denotes the hierarchical level higher than that corresponding to the central controller 2. The hierarchical level N 25 corresponds to that of the central controller 2. The level N-1 corresponds to that of the local controllers 3.

  The central controller 2 comprises an operational mode selector 21 and a command command generator 22. A building manager 30 or a management body of hierarchical level N + 1 can act on this selector 21 to impose an operational mode of the 'installation. An MS \ 2. S649. 1 2EN.454.dpt specific sensor or exceeding a specific threshold on a sensor can also impose an operational mode. Information indicating the operational mode is then transmitted to the command command generator 22.

  The command order generator 22 contains algorithms or instruction tables determining the behavior of the building equipment. Depending on the data of the installation (dominant criteria, parameters, information emitted by the sensors), the command generator 22 generates command commands adapted to obtain the desired environments, the installation operating in a given operational mode.

  The command order generator 22 also makes it possible to select certain command orders intended for the local controllers 3 and to send them towards them.

  The command command generator 22 finally provides a signal for authorizing or inhibiting local command, that is to say, authorizing or prohibiting local controllers 3 from generating their own command orders for the equipment 4 that they drive.

  When the local control function is inhibited, the local controller 3 is content to transmit to the equipment the control orders which it has received from the central controller 2.

  In certain operational modes, the central controller 2 delegates the selection of control orders to certain local controllers 3.

  In these operational modes, the command command generator 22 30 simultaneously transmits a set of command commands, corresponding to different dominant criteria, to the local controllers 3.

  MS \ 2.S649. 1 2EN.454.dpt This set of control orders can include contradictory orders. The function for selecting control orders is then made at the level of local controllers 3. The selection of control orders is therefore delegated to local controllers 3.

  The command order generator 22 also transmits information identifying the dominant criteria associated with the orders, to the local controllers 3. This information can simply be contained in the rank of the different orders within a frame.

  Thus, the command command generator 22 does not exclude any command command but informs the local controllers 3 of the different command commands available for the same equipment and for a given operational mode. The local controller 3 then selects, as a function of information received from a set of local sensors 7, the adapted control order.

  The selection of order orders can therefore be managed at different hierarchical levels.

  The set of local sensors 7, such as manual switches, presence detectors or temperature sensors, have two main functions: - They condition the selection of a control order from a set of orders transmitted simultaneously by the central controller, in certain operational modes, - They provide information which allows the local controllers 3 to issue orders different from those received from the central controller 2 to the equipment 4 which they control, in the 30 cases where the function of local control is allowed.

  MS \ 2.S649. 12FR.454.dpt Data from local sensors can also be used centrally.

  The generation of local control orders, if authorized, allows the user to deviate from the parameters stored in the central controller 2 and to locally manage the equipment 4 according to a different or modified dominant criterion compared to that indicated by the central controller 2. It is therefore useful to provide that this local control function can have priority over the control function (s) of the central controller 2.

  It can be provided that the local control functions make it possible to deviate from the parameters supplied by the central controller 2 only within predetermined ranges. A periodic return to a mode of simple transmission of the orders issued by the central controller 2 and / or a memorization of the parameters making it possible to obtain locally an environment preferred by the user can also be provided.

  The invention will be better understood from the description of an example of installation using two dominant criteria: a "comfort" criterion and a "energy saving" criterion. It includes heating and air conditioning devices, lighting devices and sun protection devices such as exterior venetian blinds and interior screen blinds.

  The controllers determine and send control orders to the various equipment so as to allow their control individually or in groups.

  A set of sensors locally measures in different areas of the building the lighting, the temperature and detects the presence of an MS \ 2. S649. 1 2FR.454.dpt user. Another set of sensors measures weather conditions outside the building. Similarly, energy consumption is measured, at the level of the building as a whole. Clocks are connected to the various controllers.

  A set of parameters is stored in the memory of the central controller. These parameters define standard comfort environments characterized in particular by their temperature and their brightness or environments making it possible to achieve energy savings 10 and characterized by the energy consumption of the building equipment.

  In this example, the installation operates in 8 predefined operational modes: 1. a "comfort with local control" mode in which the comfort control orders are selected at the central controller and issued from the local controllers with the possibility of correction.

  2. a "comfort without local control" mode in which the comfort control orders are sent together with deactivation information for selection of control orders at the level of the local controllers. Local control orders are not transmitted to the equipment.

  3. an "energy saving with local control" mode in which the energy saving control orders are issued but in which the orders selected by the local controllers can have priority.

  4. an "energy saving without local control" mode in which the energy saving control orders are issued and have priority. Local control orders are not transmitted to the equipment.

  MS \ 2.S649. 12EN.454.dpt 5. a "comfort by time periods defined by the central controller with local control" mode in which time slots are defined for the operation of the installation in comfort mode.

  During these time periods, the presence of a user is presumed and the criteria of the comfort mode can be modified or canceled by the user locally. Outside these periods, the installation operates in an "energy saving" mode but the parameters of this mode can possibly be modified or canceled locally.

  6. a "comfort by periods of time without local control" mode in which the time slots are defined at a higher hierarchical level than that corresponding to the local controller for the operation of the installation in comfort mode. During these time periods, the presence of a user is presumed, but the local control orders are not transmitted to the equipment. Outside these periods, the installation operates in an "energy saving" mode and local control orders are not transmitted to the equipment.

  7. a "comfort according to presence detector with local control" mode in which the "comfort" mode is implemented when a presence is detected locally. The comfort criteria can be modified locally. When no presence is detected, the installation operates in "energy saving" mode.

  8. a "comfort according to presence detector without local control" mode in which the "comfort" mode is implemented when a presence is detected locally. The comfort criteria cannot be changed locally. When no presence is detected, the installation operates in “energy saving” mode 30 and the orders of the local controllers have no effect on the equipment.

  MS \ 2.S649. 12FR.454.dpt The dominant criteria "comfort" and "energy saving" result in a set of command orders whose purpose is in the first case, to optimize the environment of the user, for example 5 in terms of temperature and brightness and, in the second case, to optimize the energy expenditure of the equipment.

  For example, when the temperature inside the building is lower than the set temperature, the "energy saving" mode 10 requires the following operation for the installation. If the sensors transmit information to the central controller that: the indoor temperature is close to and below the setpoint and the brightness outside is high, then command commands are issued to read the sun protection 15 on the facade of the building exposed to the sun and thus allow to approach the set temperature without having to use heating devices.

  At the same time, in this "energy saving" mode, at night, the 20 sun protection devices are ordered to close in order to constitute a thermal barrier.

  The control orders are substantially reversed when in this "energy saving" mode, the temperature inside the building is higher than the set temperature.

  In "comfort" mode, the operation is such that if a strong external light is detected, the sun protection devices are ordered to close to prevent the user from being dazzled. The "comfort" mode is managed for example from the point of view of visual comfort by using the properties of the sun protection devices and of the MS \ 2.S649. 12FR.454.dpt interior lighting devices, and / or from the point of view of ambient temperature, by combining the properties of sun protection devices and heating and air conditioning devices.

  A manager or a user can select one of the operational modes and modify the parameters defining the environments in the building, for example according to the time of day or night.

  Other operational modes than those described above can obviously be defined, such as for example a comfort mode by locally defined time periods, with or without local control. The behavior of the system in this case is close to that of operational modes 5 to 8.

  The table below shows the behavior of the main elements of the installation, namely, the central controller and the local controller (s).

MS \ 2.S649. 1 2FR.454.dpt

  OPERATING MODE BEHAVIOR OF THE CONTROLLER BEHAVIOR

LOCAL CENTRAL CONTROLLER

  Issuance of "comfort mode with comfort command" mode commands Can issue commands other than local control "energy saving command commands inhibited by central controller Emission of" comfort mode commands without comfort command - orders Transmit orders received by local control "inhibited - command commands local central controller inhibited mode" economy Issuance of orders of Can issue orders different from energy with control command energy saving orders of local central controller "Issuing of economy mode orders energy control energy saving - Transmits the orders received by the without local control local control orders central controller disabled In comfort time slot, issuing of orders In comfort time slot, can send comfort mode by comfort command - orders of orders different orders of time periods control energy saving central controller d defined by the central inhibited controller with control In energy saving time zone, local "In economy time zone transmits the orders received by the energy, issuing of all central controller control orders In comfort time period, issuing orders comfort control - energy saving control orders inhibited - local control orders inhibited "comfort by lcu denied mode of conor modes by Transmits orders received by local control" In the time of saving central energy controller, transmission of all control orders with priority for energy saving control orders local control orders inhibited Distinguishes between comfort and energy saving control orders "comfort mode according to Issue of all orders by in the presence of a user, transmits command - the function of the comfort control orders and can detect selection selection is delegated to issue different orders with local governor in the absence of a user, transmits energy saving control commands Distinguishes between comfort and energy saving control commands "comfort according to Remote Control" - the function of in the presence of a user, transmits presence detector coséaletio lestondlégu at the comfort control orders without local control "cotrleurones dlocal ea in the absence of user, transmits the energy saving control orders MS \ 2.S649.12EN.454.dpt to pl opc '16

Claims (10)

claims:   1. Control installation for building equipment comprising at least one controller (3) of lower hierarchical level (N-1) for controlling at least one building equipment (4) and at least one controller (2) for higher hierarchical level (N), characterized in that the controller or controllers (2) of higher hierarchical level (N) comprise means for generating and transmitting at least two simultaneous command orders for the same equipment ( 4) and in that the controller or controllers (3) of lower hierarchical level (N1) comprise means for receiving control orders issued by the controller or controllers (2) of higher hierarchical level (N), means for selecting a control order for an item of equipment (4) from among the received simultaneous control orders and means for transmitting a control order executable by this equipment (4) corresponding to the selected order ed.   2. Control installation (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least two control orders issued by the controller or controllers (2) of higher hierarchical level (N) correspond to different criteria translating different desired environments in building. 25 3. Control installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller or controllers (2) of higher hierarchical level (N) comprise means for selecting operational modes of the installation. 30 you p. Clac 1 7 4. Method for controlling an installation according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises, for at least one item of equipment (4) in a given operational mode, the following steps: a. generation and transmission by the controller (2) of higher hierarchical level (N), of at least two simultaneous control commands intended for the equipment (4), b. reception, by the controller (3) of lower hierarchical level (N-1), of the control orders, c. selection, by the controller (3) of a lower hierarchical level (N-1), of a control order from the control orders received, d. transmission by the controller (3) of a lower hierarchical level (N-1) to the equipment of an executable control order corresponding to the selected order.   5. Control method according to claim 4, characterized in that the controller or controllers (2) of higher hierarchical level (N) send to the controllers (3) of lower hierarchical level (N-1) information defining the different control orders issued simultaneously to the controller or controllers (3) of lower hierarchical level (N-1).   6. Control method according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized by a step of selecting operational modes of the installation.   7. Control method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least during changes of operational mode of the installation, the controller or controllers (2) of higher hierarchical level (N) send to the controller or to the DUs. 1r1 (> pIC 1 8 controllers (3) of lower hierarchical level (N-1) information defining the operational mode of the installation (1).   8. Method for controlling electrical equipment (4) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the information defining the operational mode of the installation (1) includes an authorization or a prohibition to the controller or controllers (3) of lower hierarchical level (N-1) to generate their own order orders.   9. Control method according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that, in at least one other operational mode, the controller (2) of higher hierarchical level (N) generates and issues a single command order per item of equipment (4). 15 10. Control method according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the controller (3) of lower hierarchical level (N-1) translates the selected control orders from the controller of higher hierarchical level (N) under 20 form of control orders directly executable by the equipment.