FR2982346A1 - Heating installation for use in electric heating apparatus for heating room of house, has application unit reducing temperature of instruction to specific value when message representing presence of occupant is not sent by detector - Google Patents

Abstract

The installation (10) has an electric heating apparatus (14) including an electric heating element, and connected to a regulation device for regulating the heating apparatus. The regulation device is connected to a temperature sensor. The regulation device is attached with a detector for detecting the presence of an occupant in a room (11) of a house. An application unit reduces the temperature of instruction to a specific value when the message representing presence of the occupant is not sent by the detector. An independent claim is also included for a method for regulating a heating installation for heating a room of a house.

Description

The present invention relates to an electric heating installation and methods for managing such an installation. The current electric heating industry is undergoing significant changes. Recent electric heating devices are increasingly equipped with programs to modulate their operation over time, for example according to specific time slots. However, such programming has constraints of use and is not always adapted to the habits of the users. They are not always put into service when using the devices.

It is also known, particularly from document FR2877111, to equip a heater with a presence detector to adapt the temperature of a room according to the presence or absence of people in said room. However, in the state of the art, it is conventional that this type of device is managed in "slave" mode by a "master" device that transmits instructions to different devices of the same electric heating system. However, it would be interesting for the "master" device to benefit from an exchange of information with the heaters.

The present invention relates to a new type of electric heating installation of a room, which allows to share several information relating to this room, in order to better manage the power consumption while preserving the comfort of the occupants of the room . More specifically, an object of the present invention is a heating installation of a room, said installation comprising several electric heating devices, each heating apparatus comprising at least one electric heating element, connected to a control device of said heating element, each regulating device being connected to a temperature sensor and being able to operate the electric heating element according to a set temperature having a first value Tc adapted to the comfort of an occupant of the room, the control devices of the heaters being interconnected by a communication means, said means allowing each device to transmit and receive information, said devices being further connected to at least one presence detector of an occupant of the room, each device regulator being provided with means for implementing a method comprising the following steps: - interrogation of the presence detector (s), - if no detector sends a presence detection message, lowering the setpoint temperature to a second value Te less than Tc. This installation thus makes it possible to detect a vacancy of the room, in order to change the overall operation of the installation from a mode focused on the comfort of the occupants, to a mode focused on energy saving. Preferably, at least one presence detector is integrated with at least one of the electric heaters. This is for example an optical detector known from the state of the art. According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one apparatus equipped with a presence detector is able to generate a self-adaptive programming every day of the week depending on the occupation of the room. For example, each change to economy mode related to the absence of occupants of the room is recorded for each day of the week. The result is a reproducible rhythm over the next week. According to one embodiment of the invention, the control devices 25 of the heating apparatuses are connected to an installation management device, and able to exchange information with said management device, said device being connected to a means control of an electrical consumption of the premises. The management device can thus obtain information from the electrical consumption control means and pass this information on to the heating devices. Preferably, the control means makes it possible to evaluate the respective electrical consumptions of several distinct zones of the local; in addition, the management device is provided with means for implementing a method such that, if an electrical consumption is found in a determined area of said room, a presence detection message is sent to the control devices heaters. Thus, the concept of "presence detector" is not limited to optical detectors. The detection of the start-up of an electrical appliance such as television set, household appliance or lamp can indeed lead to the sending of a presence detection message to the regulation devices. Preferably, the means for controlling an electrical consumption of the room is able to receive information from an electric energy supplier, said information being linked to a cost of the energy supplied or to a request from electrical shedding; in addition, the management device is able to send to the regulating devices operating instructions dependent on this information. The power consumption control means can for example be connected to the Internet to receive information from an energy supplier. According to one embodiment of the invention, the room is divided into several rooms, at least one of said rooms being equipped with several electric heating devices; at least one of the devices is equipped with a man / machine interface allowing an occupant to set the first setpoint temperature; the regulating devices of all the appliances of the same room align their first set temperature with that set by said occupant. This embodiment makes it possible to automatically harmonize the operation of all the electric heating devices equipping the same room of the room. Preferably, if a temperature sensor of a workpiece device detects a temperature drop at a speed above a threshold, the heating elements of all electrical room heaters in the room cease to function. Such a drop in temperature makes it possible, for example, to detect the opening of a window and thus to save energy. According to one variant, the opening of a window is detected by means of a specific sensor, which measures, for example, a hygrometry or CO2 level, this opening detection also terminating the operation of all the heaters. electric room. The subject of the invention is also a method of regulating a space heating installation described above, such that: the means for controlling an electrical consumption of the room is able to receive information from a customer. an electric power supplier, said information being related to a cost of the energy supplied or to a demand for electrical load shedding; the management device is able to send to the regulating devices operating instructions dependent on this information; the room is divided into several rooms each equipped with at least one electric heater, at least one of said heaters being equipped with a presence detector of a room occupant; said method comprising the following steps: the means for controlling an electrical consumption of the room receives information from an electric energy supplier, said information being linked to a cost of the energy supplied or to a request electrical load shedding, - if the energy cost or load shedding request is greater than a threshold, the management device or a control device interrogates the presence detector, - if no presence is detected by said detector, load shedding Electrical is applied first to the devices in the room where the detector is located. This method makes it possible, in priority, to apply an electrical shedding to the heaters located in unoccupied rooms, while maintaining, if possible, the comfort of the occupants of other rooms. The subject of the invention is also a method for regulating a space heating installation described above, said room being divided into several rooms, at least one of said rooms being equipped with several electric heating appliances, at least one of said devices is equipped with a man / machine interface allowing an occupant to set the first setpoint temperature, the method being such that, if the occupant sets a first setpoint temperature greater than a value By default, said default value is restored as the first set point temperature after a determined duration.

This process makes it possible to correct certain manipulations of the user, in order to optimize energy saving. The invention also relates to an electric heater for a heating installation as described above, said apparatus comprising the following elements: at least one electric heating element, a presence detector, a temperature probe, a human interface machine, the apparatus further comprising an electronic control device connected to said elements, said device being equipped with transmission / reception communication means with one or more similar devices, the apparatus further comprising at least one other sensor selected from a light detector, a CO2 detector and a hygrometric probe. Such an apparatus is therefore able to communicate several types of information relating to the room, to an installation management device or to other equipment of the room, for example a ventilation device. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it. These are presented only as an indication and in no way limitative of the invention. The figures show: FIG. 1: A schematic view of a heating installation according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2: A schematic view of a heater according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3: A schematic view of a heating system according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 schematically shows an installation 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The installation 10 is a heating installation of a room 11, for example a house. The room 11 is for example divided into pieces 12 (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d), separated from each other by partitions possibly pierced with doors 13. Typically, it is considered that it is possible to maintain a relative thermal insulation between two parts (12a, 12b), in particular by closing the doors 13 which connect them. It is further considered that the installation 10 can make it possible to maintain a different ambient temperature in two rooms (12a, 12b) of the same room 11, said ambient temperatures being able to have a difference of a few degrees ° C., for example 2 or 3 ° C. .

Each piece 12 of the room 11 is equipped with an electric heating apparatus 14 forming part of the installation 10. An example of apparatus 14 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. An apparatus 14 comprises at least one electric heating element 15, connected to a device 16 for regulating said heating element. According to one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 14 comprises several electric heating elements (15a, 15b) connected to the device 16. The elements (15a, 15b) may be identical or different. They are for example selected from a finned resistor, a surface resistance, an accumulator block and a fan coil unit. The control device 16 comprises, for example, a data memory 17, a program memory 18, a microprocessor 19, an interface 20 and at least a communication bus 21. The function of the installation 10 is, among other things, to maintain an ambient temperature. substantially constant in the room 11. The data memory 17 of the device 16 of each device 14 contains for example a room temperature value to maintain. This value is called the set temperature. It is possible to define a different ambient temperature according to the room (12a, 12b ...) in which the apparatus 14 concerned is located (FIG. 1). For example, if the room 12a is a bathroom, can be defined for a device 14a located in this room a high enough set temperature, for example 21 ° C. If the neighboring room 12b is a room, it is possible to define for a device 14b located in this room a lower setpoint temperature, for example 19 ° C. According to another variant, the same setpoint temperature can be defined for all the apparatuses 14 of the room 11. In order to maintain a substantially constant ambient temperature, the device 16 for regulating an apparatus 14 must know the ambient temperature of the room. The control device 16 is therefore connected to a temperature probe 22 (FIG. 2). Preferably, the probe 22 is integrated in the apparatus 14. Similarly, to enable a user to define the set temperature, the regulating device 16 is connected to a man / machine interface 23 fitted to the apparatus 14. such an interface 23 makes it possible to adjust the setpoint temperature using means such as a graduated wheel or an LCD type screen associated with a set of pushbuttons. Furthermore, according to the invention, the various electric heating apparatuses equipping the room 11 are able to communicate with each other bilaterally, that is to say that each apparatus 14 is able to transmit and receive information. Each apparatus 14 thus comprises a transmitter / receiver communication means 24 connected to the device 16. The means 24 of the apparatus 14 of the installation 10 may be connected by a wired network or by a radio network.

Preferably, the apparatus 14 is furthermore equipped with at least one detector 25 for the presence of an occupant of the room 12 and / or the room 11 where said apparatus is located. The detector 25 is connected to the control device 16. The detector 25 may be an optical detector, in particular a motion detector. However, as will be developed below, other indications may allow a device 14 to detect a presence in the room. Preferably, at least one apparatus 14 of each room 12 of the room 11 is equipped with a presence detector 25. According to one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 14 is furthermore equipped with at least one other detector 26. It is for example a brightness detector, a CO2 detector or a detector. hygrometric probe. It may also be a sensor selected from a noise sensor, a motion sensor, an infrared sensor, a vibration sensor, a pollution sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. Such a detector 26 makes it possible to multiply the functionalities of the installation 10, as will be described below. Preferably, each apparatus 14 of the installation 10 can operate in at least two modes. A first mode, called "comfort mode" 30 is for example focused primarily on the comfort of a room occupant. This first mode is associated with a first setpoint temperature Tc, for example set by default at 19 ° C in the data memory 17 of the control devices 16. A second mode, called "eco mode" is for example focused primarily on energy savings. This second mode is associated with a second setpoint temperature Te, for example set by default at 16 ° C. in the data memory 17 of the control devices 16. You can also define other modes such as several levels of comfort, an anti-freeze mode, a stop mode, etc ...

According to one embodiment, the values Tc and Te are the same for all the devices of room 11. According to one variant, the values Tc and Te may be different depending on the room 12 concerned. It is possible for a user to modify the value Tc, and possibly the value Te, by means of the human / machine interface 23 of a device 14. For example, a user modifies the value Tc at the level of a device 14c. from room 12c. Preferably, the apparatus 14c then sends this information to the other electric heaters of the room 12c, in this case an apparatus 14c '. Said apparatus 14c 'then modifies its value Tc by aligning it with the value modified on the apparatus 14c.

In order to optimize the energy savings, the installation 10 can implement the following operating method: each control device 16 interrogates the presence detector (s) to which it is connected, the devices communicate to each other the the results of these interrogations 20 via their means of communication, - if no presence is detected by any of the detectors 25, it is considered that the room 11 is unoccupied. The installation 10 then goes into "eco mode" and the setpoint temperatures of all the devices 16 adopt the value Te. The same method can be implemented individually at each room 12. For example, the apparatus 14c for heating the room 12c, for example the living room, can operate in "comfort mode" if said living room is occupied; at the same time, the heating device 14b of the chamber 12b is in "eco mode" if the chamber 12b is empty. The coordination of the operations of the different apparatuses 14 of the installation 10 can be managed by a program 28 of one of said apparatuses. According to another embodiment, such a program is integrated with a global management device of the installation 10, all the devices 14 being connected to this device.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an installation 10 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The references mentioned for FIGS. 1 and 2 are retained. In the variant of FIG. 3, the devices 16 for regulating the heating devices 14 are connected to a device 30 for managing the installation 10. Like the devices 16, the device 30 comprises, for example, a data memory , a program memory, a microprocessor, an interface and at least one communication bus. The device 30 also comprises a means of communication 10 transmitter / receiver, connected to the means 24 of communication devices 14. Preferably, the management device 30 is connected to a means 31 for controlling an electrical consumption of the premises. The means 31 is for example an electric meter. Preferably, the means 31 makes it possible to evaluate the respective electrical consumptions of several distinct zones of the room 11. It makes it possible, for example, to determine whether a television 32, or a lamp 33, have just been switched on. The means 31 can then transmit such information to the management device 30. A program 34 of the device 30 can then deduce a occupation of the room 11 and / or of this or that room 12. The device 30 then sends the devices 14 a presence detection message in the room or in a room 12, this which can trigger a transition to "comfort mode" for the device (s) concerned. According to one embodiment of the invention, the means 31 for controlling the electrical consumption is able to receive information from an electric energy supplier. This information is particularly related to a cost of the energy supplied or to a demand for electrical load shedding. This information can be received via the Internet, the means 31 being for example connected to an ADSL box. The program 34 of the management device 30 can process this information and send the devices 16 operating instructions dependent on this information. For example, the transition from "comfort mode" to "eco mode" mentioned above may be subject to other conditions than the absence or presence of occupants of the room. These conditions are, for example, a current tariff index and / or its predicted evolution in the near future, or the state of the programming of the devices 14 and / or the evolution of this scheduled programming in the near future. Information on the tariff index is received by means 31 from the electric power supplier.

According to another example, the apparatus 31 receives from its supplier an order of electrical shedding, that is to say an order of reduction of the electricity consumption of the installation 10 and / or the room 11. According to a variant , the appliance 31 receives from its supplier an indication that the electricity rate is revised upwards during a specific time period. Program 34 processes this information to communicate power off instructions to devices 14. In order to determine these instructions, program 34 applies priority criteria. For example, according to the presence or absence of occupants in such or such a room 12, detected by the detectors 25, the electrical shedding will be applied in priority to the unoccupied rooms. For example, the electrical shedding results in a reduction in the operating rate of the device or appliances 14 located in the unoccupied rooms. The rate of operation represents the ratio of an operating time of the one or more heating elements over a period of a control cycle, said cycle time being defined in the program memory. Preferably, the electric shedding can be applied according to a flowchart for optimizing the comfort of users, as described in applications FR2283280 and FR2942356 in the name of the applicant. More precisely, the load shedding flowchart, configured in a program 34 or 28, can apply a different operating rate to the apparatuses 14 of the same room 12, or even to the various heating elements 15 of the same apparatus. For example, it is considered that the part 12c of FIG. 1 comprises an apparatus 14c provided with an inertia heating element and a radiant heating element, as well as an apparatus 14c 'provided with a convective heating element and a facade heating element. If the devices (14c, 14c ') receive an electrical load shedding order, the inertia resistance having a certain heat load will be firstly relieved, followed by the convective heating element, then by the radiant heating element. The facade element will be shed last to maintain a warm radiator feel. The same logic is implemented during a return to operation of the heaters. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, if a temperature sensor 22c of a device 14c of a part 12c detects a drop in temperature at a speed greater than a threshold, the heating elements of all the apparatuses (14c , 14c ') of the room cease to function. This method makes it possible to save energy when a window 29 is opened. According to one variant, a sensor 26 of a device 14 of the part detects the opening of a window by another means, which results in the power supply of the heating elements of the apparatus 14 of the room being cut off. The devices can be restarted manually by means of the man / machine interface 23 of one of the apparatuses 14. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the installation 10 makes it possible to implement a method to correct some bad habits of use. Indeed, we often note the following behavior of users: an occupant of room 11, cooled by the outside climate, enters the room. At this time, the heating devices 14 are not in steady state temperature and therefore have not reached the set temperature Tc. The user nevertheless increases the value Tc at an interface 23, which generates some time later overheating and therefore over-consumption. The installation 10 therefore preferably implements a method making it possible to automatically correct the value Tc after a determined duration. The method takes into account the starting parameters of the change of the setpoint to be able to correct it automatically. For example, if the default value of Tc, in the data memory 17, is 19 ° C, and if the user manually changed it to 21 ° C, the default value is restored automatically after 20 minutes .

According to one variant, the return to the default value is only done if the manual modification has exceeded a variation allowed by the program 28, for example ± 2 ° C. Moreover, a function of the installation 10 can make it possible to automatically return to the values Tc and Te defined by default in the memories 17 of the apparatuses 14. Such a function can be accessed by a key of the interface 23 of one or Several devices 14. Preferably, to guide the user towards a more economical operation, a display of the trend of his consumption is visible on an LCD screen of the interface 23 of each apparatus 14, for example with a color code ranging from from green to red. Likewise, preferably, the interface 23 of each apparatus 14, or a similar interface fitted to the management device 30, displays the electrical consumption of the heating, cooling, hot water, electrical network of the outlets housing ... This display is intended to alert the user in case of excessive consumption. It is possible for the devices 16 to include a default program that applies the "comfort" or "eco" modes to specific time periods, fixed for example over a week. Preferably, however, the methods related to the presence or absence of occupants have priority over time scheduling. Alternatively, with the presence sensor 25, the apparatus 14 observes the occupation of the room and generates self-adaptive programming every day of the week. For example, each shift from the comfort mode to the eco mode linked to the absence of occupants of the room is recorded for each day of the week. The result is a reproducible rhythm over the next week. Likewise, the transition between the "eco" and "comfort" modes in the time programming can be carried out taking into account the experience of the previous day or days. As indicated above, the installation 10 can be connected to an ADSL box for communication with the energy supplier, but also to control and observe its heating at a distance. This box can centralize the communication of all the equipment of the house, shutter 30 rolling, light, VMC, alarm, etc ... in all forms of media and protocols. This box can also include scenario algorithms to control all these devices. For example, the information detected by the sensors (25, 26) of an apparatus 14 may make it possible to modify the operation of a possible ventilation device of the room 11. The detection of a presence by the detector 25, as well as information such as a CO2 level or a degree of hygrometry by the detector 26, can lead to the increase of a ventilation rate. According to one embodiment of the invention, a program 28 or 34 of a device of the installation 10 models each apparatus 14 in the form of an equivalent virtual apparatus, for the information to be exchanged with the external medium. Each device 14x is for example assigned an address Ax, associated with data such as a unit heating power Px, a set of setpoints (temperature, operating mode, etc ...) Cx, or a rate of operation Tx. Each device includes a certain amount of information from its sensors (22, 25, 26). This information is assigned to the corresponding virtual appliance. The invention and its various embodiments make it possible to group the capacities and information of all electric heating apparatus 14 in the form of a "global intelligence" making it possible to optimize the operation of the installation 10 according to comfort criteria. and energy saving.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS1- Installation (10) for heating a room (11), said installation comprising a plurality of electric heating apparatuses (14), each heating apparatus comprising at least one electric heating element (15) connected to a device (16) regulating said heating element, each regulating device being connected to a temperature sensor (22) and being able to operate the electric heating element as a function of a set temperature having a first value (Tc) adapted to the comfort an occupant of the room, the control devices of the heaters being interconnected by a means (24) of communication, said means allowing each device to transmit and receive information, said devices being further connected at least one detector (25) for the presence of an occupant of the room, each control device being provided with means (28) for implementing a com plete process; carrying the following steps: - interrogation of the presence detector (s), - if no detector sends a presence detection message, lowering the set temperature to a second value Te less than Tc. 2- Installation according to claim 1, such that at least one presence detector 25 is integrated with at least one of the electric heaters. 3. Installation according to claim 2, such that at least one apparatus (14) equipped with a presence detector is capable of generating self-adaptive programming every day of the week depending on the occupation of the premises. . 4- Installation according to one of the preceding claims, such that the control devices of the heaters are connected to a device (30) for managing the installation, and able to exchange information with said management device, said device being connected to a means (31) for controlling an electrical consumption of the room. 5. Installation according to claim 4, such that: the control means makes it possible to evaluate the respective electrical consumptions of several zones (32, 33) distinct from the local; the management device is provided with means (34) for implementing a method such that, if an electrical consumption is found in a determined area (32, 33) of said room, a presence detection message is sent to the control devices of the heaters. 6.- Installation according to claim 4 or claim 5, such that: - the control means of an electrical consumption of the room is able to receive information from a supplier of electrical energy, said information being linked at a cost of the energy supplied or a request for electric load shedding, - the management device is able to send to the regulating devices operating instructions dependent on this information. 7.- Installation according to one of the preceding claims, such that: - the room is divided into several rooms (12), at least one (12c) of said rooms being equipped with several electric heaters, - at least one (14c ) the apparatus is equipped with an interface (23) 25 man / machine allowing an occupant to set the first set temperature, - the regulating devices of all devices (14c ') of the same room align their first temperature setpoint on that set by said occupant. 30 8.- Installation according to claim 7, such that, if a sensor (22) of a temperature of a device (14c) of the part detects a temperature drop at a speed greater than a threshold, the heating elements of all devices (14c, 14c ') of the room stop working. 35 9. A method of regulating a heating installation of a room according to claim 6, the room being divided into several rooms each equipped with at least one electric heating device, at least one of said heaters being equipped with a presence detector of a room occupant, said method comprising the following steps: the means for controlling an electrical consumption of the room receives information from a supplier of electrical energy, said information being related to a cost of the energy supplied or an electric shedding request, - if the energy cost or load shedding request is greater than a threshold, the management device or a regulating device interrogates the presence detector if no presence is detected by said detector, an electrical shedding is applied first to the apparatus of the room where said detector is located. 10. A method for regulating a space heating installation according to claim 7, such that, in case of setting by the occupant of a first set temperature higher than a default value Tc, said value default is restored as the first setpoint temperature after a specified time. 11. Apparatus (14) for electric heating for heating installation 25 according to one of claims 1 to 7, said apparatus comprising the following elements: - at least one element (15) electric heating, - a detector (25) presence, - a temperature probe (22), - a man / machine interface (23), the apparatus further comprising an electronic control device (16) connected to said elements, said device being equipped with means (24) for transmission / reception communication with one or more similar devices, the apparatus further comprising at least one other sensor (26) selected from a brightness detector, a CO2 sensor, a humidity sensor, a noise sensor, a sensor movement, an infrared sensor, a vibration sensor, a pollution sensor and an ultrasonic sensor.