KR102377418B1 - Pipe Freeze Prevention Heating Wire Controller with IoT - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an IoT pipe freeze prevention heating wire controller. More specifically, a heating wire controller is placed at each installation location of a pipe heating wire to perform individual control, and each heating wire controller performs communication to facilitate management by the user. This is about a heating wire controller that can prevent freezing of IoT pipes.

Description

IoT Pipe Freeze Prevention Heating Wire Controller with IoT}

The present invention relates to an IoT pipe freeze prevention heating wire controller. More specifically, a heating wire controller is placed at each installation location of a pipe heating wire to perform individual control, and each heating wire controller performs communication to facilitate management by the user. This is about a heating wire controller that can prevent freezing of IoT pipes.

In general, various piping facilities such as fire extinguishing pipes and water pipes are installed in buildings or factories, and fluids such as water or oil are supplied to a certain location through the piping facilities. Figure 1 schematically shows the plumbing equipment in such a building.

Meanwhile, during the winter season when the outside temperature drops significantly, as shown in (b) of FIG. 1, the piping pipes of the piping equipment installed on the ceiling and exposed to the outside freeze due to the cold outside air, and the fluid filled and flowing inside them also freezes. It freezes, and at this time, the fluid filled and flowing inside the pipe freezes and expands in volume, causing the so-called freeze-and-rupture phenomenon to break the pipe. When such a freeze and burst phenomenon occurs, consumers who receive water, etc. through plumbing pipes suffer difficulties or losses as they are unable to receive water, etc. due to freezing or bursting of the plumbing pipes.

As a temporary measure to solve this problem, the outer surface of the pipe is covered with an insulating material to prevent freezing and bursting of the pipe. However, temporary measures such as the above are difficult to provide a complete thermal insulation effect to the pipes during the cold season when the temperature drops rapidly, making it difficult to prevent freezing and bursting of the pipes, which is very likely to cause the above problems.

In order to solve the above problems, a pipe heating control system was first developed to prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting by installing a heating device on the outer surface of the pipes. Figure 2 shows a pipe heating control system to prevent freezing of such conventional piping equipment.

To describe the piping heating control system in more detail, a piping pipe (50) filled with fluid inside flows through the piping pipe (50), which is fixed to the outer surface of the piping pipe (50) through a fixing member and generates heat when power is supplied to the piping pipe. It is connected to the hot wire heating device 20 and supplies power to the hot wire heating device 20 according to the external temperature detected by the temperature sensor to prevent the pipe 50 from freezing. It consists of a structure including a central control unit 10 that prevents damage, and a power plug that supplies power to the central control unit 10.

In such a conventional pipe heating control system, one central control unit 10 supplies power to a plurality of hot wire heating devices (20a) (20b) (20c) (20d) (20e), so that each hot wire heating device The cost of installing wiring is high, and since a plurality of hot wire heating devices 20 are operated simultaneously based on the external temperature of the temperature sensor provided in one central control unit 10, the area around the actually installed hot wire heating devices 20 The temperature cannot be accurately known, and problems such as wasting energy by operating under conditions in which actual operation is not required, or freezing and rupture of the piping pipe 50 by not operating even under temperature conditions requiring actual operation, may occur.

In addition, since power must be supplied to a plurality of hot wire heating devices 20 at the same time, a high-capacity power distribution facility is required to cope with overload, which increases construction costs.

The present invention relates to an IoT pipe freeze prevention heating wire controller that allows users to easily manage the pipe heating wire by placing a heating wire controller at each installation location of the pipe heating wire to perform individual control, and each heating wire controller performing communication.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a pipe freeze prevention heating wire controller, which includes a control unit that controls the operation of the connected pipe heating wire based on pre-stored information, information input from the user, and detected information; Two or more pipe heating wires that apply heat to the pipe to prevent freezing can be connected, and a heating wire connection unit that supplies power to the connected pipe heating wires; A sensor unit to which a pipe temperature sensor and an outside air temperature sensor can be connected to measure the temperature of the pipe and the outside air, respectively; and a communication unit capable of communicating with one or more of an external management server and user terminal; Includes, the control unit, the hot wire connection unit, the sensor unit, and the communication unit are provided inside a controller case, and the controller case provides a pipe freeze prevention hot wire controller that can be fixed to the pipe through a bracket.

In the present invention, the hot wire connection unit includes a hot wire power supply unit that supplies power to the connected pipe hot wire; And a heating wire power detection unit that monitors the power supplied to the connected pipe heating wire; It includes, and the control unit may block the supply of power to the pipe heating wire when the power supplied to the pipe heating wire exceeds a preset standard as a result of monitoring by the heating wire power detection unit.

In the present invention, when an abnormality is detected in the temperature sensor connected to the sensor unit, the control unit can supply power to the pipe heating wire connected at a preset intensity and a preset pattern to prevent freezing.

In the present invention, the control unit may control the power supplied to the pipe heating wire based on one or more of the thickness of the pipe on which the heating wire controller is installed, the type of fluid flowing in the pipe, and the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the pipe.

In the present invention, the hot wire connecting unit may be connected to two pipe heating wires, and the sensor unit may be connected to two pipe temperature sensors that measure the temperature of the pipe, and the two pipe temperature sensors may be connected to the two pipe temperature sensors in the pipe. The temperature of each side where the pipe heating wire is installed can be measured.

In the present invention, when driving the two pipe heating elements, the control unit can alternately supply power to the two pipe heating elements according to a preset cycle.

In the present invention, the control unit receives the pipe start temperature, pipe stop temperature, outside air start temperature, and outside air stop temperature for operation of the pipe heating wire from the management server or user terminal connected through the communication unit, and the pipe temperature sensor measures the pipe temperature sensor. Whether the piping temperature is below the piping start temperature, whether the piping temperature measured by the piping temperature sensor is above the piping stop temperature, whether the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor is below the outside air start temperature, and the outside air temperature The operation of the pipe heating wire can be controlled based on whether the outside air temperature measured by the sensor is above the outside air stop temperature.

In the present invention, the bracket includes a U-shaped U-band for attaching and fixing the pipe to a fixed facility; and a case coupling portion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the curved side of the U-band and can be coupled to the controller case. may include.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the effect of reducing construction costs can be achieved by individually installing a pipe heating wire and a heating wire controller in pipes requiring freeze prevention.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the freeze prevention effect can be achieved even with low-capacity power by installing pipe heating wires individually.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of the pipe in which the pipe heating wire is installed is measured and the pipe heating wire is driven based on the temperature, thereby achieving the effect of saving energy required to prevent freezing.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by monitoring the power consumed by the pipe heating wire, it is possible to diagnose and respond to disconnection and short circuits at an early stage.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to achieve the effect of efficiently using energy by controlling the power supplied to the pipe heating wire according to the properties of the installed pipe.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heating wire controller performs communication, provides information, and receives commands, allowing the user to easily check and control the status of the heating wire controller through the management server or user terminal. there is.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heating wire controller can be attached to the pipe through a bracket, thereby enabling easy installation.

Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing piping equipment exposed to the outside of a building.
Figure 2 is a diagram schematically showing a pipe heating control system for preventing freezing and bursting of conventional piping equipment.
Figure 3 is a diagram schematically showing a piping system in which a heating wire controller to prevent piping from freezing according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed.
Figure 4 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of a pipe freeze prevention heating wire controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a diagram schematically showing a pipe freeze prevention heating wire controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of information for the operation of the control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of a hot wire connection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a diagram schematically showing a method of controlling a pipe heating wire by a heating wire power monitoring unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 is a diagram schematically showing the power supplied to the pipe heating wire according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 is a diagram schematically showing a method in which a control unit receives information from a user terminal and controls a pipe heating wire according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating a screen for inputting operation setting information from a user terminal to a heating wire controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating a screen for checking the status of the heating wire controller on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating a screen for confirming the operation reservation status from a user terminal in a heating wire controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 14 is a diagram schematically showing the appearance of a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various embodiments and/or aspects are now disclosed with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to facilitate a general understanding of one or more aspects. However, it will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details. The following description and accompanying drawings set forth in detail certain example aspects of one or more aspects. However, these aspects are illustrative and some of the various methods in the principles of the various aspects may be utilized, and the written description is intended to encompass all such aspects and their equivalents.

Additionally, various aspects and features may be presented by a system that may include multiple devices, components and/or modules, etc. It is also understood that various systems may include additional devices, components and/or modules, etc. and/or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in connection with the drawings. It must be understood and recognized.

As used herein, “embodiments,” “examples,” “aspects,” “examples,” etc. may not be construed to mean that any aspect or design described is better or advantageous over other aspects or designs. . The terms '~part', 'component', 'module', 'system', 'interface', etc. used below generally refer to computer-related entities, such as hardware, hardware, etc. A combination of and software, it can mean software.

Additionally, the terms "comprise" and/or "comprising" mean that the feature and/or element is present, but exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements and/or groups thereof. It should be understood as not doing so.

Additionally, terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a first component may be named a second component without departing from the scope of the present invention, and similarly, the second component may also be named a first component. The term and/or includes any of a plurality of related stated items or a combination of a plurality of related stated items.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, are generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It has the same meaning as Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and unless clearly defined in the embodiments of the present invention, have an ideal or excessively formal meaning. It is not interpreted as

Figure 3 is a diagram schematically showing a piping system in which a heating wire controller to prevent piping from freezing according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed.

Referring to FIG. 3, the pipe freeze prevention heating ray controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be individually installed at a necessary location in the pipe 50 of the building 1000. A pipe heating wire is connected to the heating wire controller 100 installed in this way to prevent freezing of the pipe by applying heat to the pipe.

Comparing FIG. 3 with FIG. 2, the heating wire controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 does not have a centralized central control unit, and the heating wire controller 100 controls each pipe heating wire. This is performed, and each heating wire controller 100 performs communication to exchange information with the external management server 2000 or the user terminal 3000. In this way, the plurality of heating wire controllers 100 transmit status information to the management server 2000 or the user terminal 3000 and receive control commands from the management server 2000 or the user terminal 3000, so that the user can easily control the plumbing. It is possible to check the operating status of the heating wire and control its operation.

The hot wire controller 100 may exchange information through wired communication or may exchange information through wireless communication.

Figure 4 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of a pipe freeze prevention heating wire controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the pipe freeze prevention heating wire controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 110 that controls the operation of the connected pipe heating wire based on pre-stored information, information input from the user, and detected information. ); A pipe temperature sensor 300 that measures the temperature of the pipe 50 and the outside air, respectively, and a sensor unit 120 to which the outside air temperature sensor can be connected; Two or more pipe heating wires 200 that apply heat to the pipe 50 to prevent freezing can be connected, and a heating wire connector 130 that supplies power to the connected pipe heating wires 200; A communication unit 140 capable of communicating with one or more of the external management server 2000 and the user terminal 3000; An input/output unit 150 that displays information to the user and receives information input; and a power supply unit 160 that receives power from an external power source. may include.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may control the operation of the connected pipe heating element 200 based on pre-stored information, information input from the user, and detected information. To this end, the control unit 110 may include one or more processors and one or more memories, and a program for controlling the operation of the pipe heating wire may be stored in the memory. The control unit 110 can collect information from other connected components or external devices, and operates the pipe heating element 200 by controlling the supply of power to the pipe heating element 200 based on the collected information. can be controlled.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit 120 may be connected to a pipe temperature sensor 300 and an outside air temperature sensor 125 that measure the temperatures of the pipe 50 and the outside air, respectively. The sensor unit 120 can receive information from a temperature sensor connected in this way and allow the control unit 110 to control the pipe heating element 200 based on this.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit 120 may be connected to an outdoor temperature sensor (not shown) to measure the outdoor temperature. In this way, the sensor unit 120 measures not only the temperature of the pipe 50 on which the pipe heating element 200 is installed, but also the temperature of the outside air, and supplies power to the pipe heating element 200 to prevent the pipe 50 from freezing based on the measured temperature. can be supplied.

At this time, a plurality of pipe temperature sensors 300 may be connected to the sensor unit 120. In one embodiment of the present invention, freezing of the pipe 50 can be prevented by supplying power to a plurality of pipe heating wires 200, and the plurality of pipe temperature sensors 300 are connected to each of the plurality of pipe heating wires 200. By measuring the temperature of the pipe 50 being heated, the control unit 110 can independently control each pipe heating element 200.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating wire connection part 130 can supply power to the pipe heating wire 200 by being connected to the pipe heating wire 200. At this time, the heating wire connection unit 130 may supply power to the pipe heating wire 200 under the control of the control unit 110 and monitor the supplied power. The results monitored in this way can be transmitted to the control unit 110 and used by the control unit 110 to control the pipe heating element 200.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 140 can exchange information by performing communication. The communication unit 140 communicates with the external management server 200 or the user terminal 300 that manages the plurality of heating wire controllers 100, allowing the user to move to the location where the pipe heating wire is installed and check the information. You can easily check information and enter control commands without any need. The communication unit 140 can perform wired or wireless communication, and can exchange information with the management server 200 or the user terminal 300 by being connected to a local network installed in the building and connected to the Internet.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the input/output unit 150 can allow a user to check information and input information into the heating controller 100 without using a communication network. The input/output unit 150 includes an output device such as an LCD display and an input device such as a switch, and can output information to the user and receive information input from the user.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the power unit 160 may be connected to an external power source to receive power. In the present invention, each heating wire controller 100 includes a power supply unit 160, so that the power supplied to the pipe heating wire can be distributed and supplied. Preferably, the power unit 160 can receive power from a commercial power source (220V) so that buildings, etc. can use power outlets already installed.

Figure 5 is a diagram schematically showing a heating wire controller to prevent pipe freezing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 5, it can be seen that the heating wire controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in the pipe 50. Figure 5 (a) is a view of the heating wire controller 100 installed in the pipe 50 as seen from the direction in which the heating wire controller 100 is installed, and Figure 5 (b) is a view from the side where the heating wire controller 100 is installed. This is the view from the direction.

Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit 110, the sensor unit 120, the hot wire connection unit 130, the communication unit 140, the input/output unit 150, and the power unit 160 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Components of the heating wire controller 100, including ), are provided inside the controller case, and the controller case can be fixed to the pipe through a bracket 500.

The sensor unit 120 and the hot wire connection unit 130 can be connected to the pipe temperature sensor 300 and the pipe hot wire 200, respectively, through the controller case.

As shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment of the present invention, the hot wire connecting unit 130 can be connected to two pipe heating wires 200a and 200b, and the sensor unit 120 measures the temperature of the pipe. Two pipe temperature sensors 300a and 300b can be connected. At this time, the two pipe temperature sensors 300a and 300b can each measure the temperature of the pipe on the side where the two pipe heating elements 200 are installed. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 5, an outdoor temperature sensor that measures the outdoor temperature may be built into the controller case and connected to the hot wire connection unit 130.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the pipe heating wire 200 is connected with an electric wire up to a certain distance from the controller case, and is connected with a heating wire after a certain distance to apply heat to the pipe, thereby heating the heating wire controller 100 inside the controller case. It is possible to ensure that the components are not affected by the heat caused by the heating wire.

Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 controls the thickness of the pipe 50 on which the heating wire controller 100 is installed, the type of fluid flowing in the pipe 50, and the fluid flowing in the pipe 50. The power supplied to the pipe heating wire 200 can be controlled based on one or more of the flow rates. When heat is supplied through the pipe heating element 200, the temperature rise coefficient for the supplied heat varies depending on the properties of the pipe 50. For example, in the case of firefighting pipes where water is stagnant and water pipes where water flows, even if the same amount of heat is supplied, the temperature change in the pipes varies depending on whether the water flows.

Since the amount of heat, that is, power, that must be supplied to prevent freezing is different depending on the characteristics of the pipe, the control unit 110 controls the thickness of the pipe 50, the type of fluid flowing in the pipe 50, and the pipe as described above. (50) Properties of the pipe 50, such as the flow rate of the fluid flowing within, can be input, and the power supplied can be controlled based on the input information.

Figure 6 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of information for the operation of the control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the control unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention receives temperature information measured from the pipe temperature sensor 300 and the outside temperature sensor 125 through the sensor unit 120. Controls the power supplied to the pipe heating wire 200.

Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110, when an abnormality is detected in the temperature sensor connected to the sensor unit 120, a pipe heating wire (pipe heating wire) connected with a preset intensity and a preset pattern to prevent freezing. 200) can supply power.

As described above, the control unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention is based on the temperature measurement results of the outside temperature sensor 125 and the pipe temperature sensor 300 connected to the sensor unit 120, Power to prevent is supplied to the pipe heating wire 200. Accordingly, the control unit 110 can perform operations based on the temperature measured independently without external control, but it becomes difficult to operate properly if a problem occurs in the temperature sensor that measures the temperature. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 operates when an abnormality is detected in the temperature sensor, for example, when an abnormal value of temperature is input, or when temperature input is not made continuously, or when In cases where the temperature change range is greater than the preset standard, it can be operated in emergency freeze prevention mode to minimize freeze prevention. That is, if the temperature measurement is not performed properly, the control unit 110 may not supply power even in a situation where the temperature is low and the pipe 50 may freeze and rupture. To prevent this, the control unit 110 Can supply a minimum amount of power to the pipe heating wire 200 regardless of temperature. As described above, this emergency freeze prevention mode can supply power to the pipe heating element 200 at a preset intensity and a preset pattern.

At this time, the control unit 110 supplies power to the pipe heating wire 200 at a preset intensity and pattern to prevent freezing and at the same time sends power to the management server 2000 or the user terminal 3000 through the communication unit 140. Notifications can be sent so that users can check for abnormalities in the temperature sensor and perform inspections.

Figure 7 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of a heating wire connection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 schematically shows a method of controlling a pipe heating wire by a heating wire power monitoring unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a drawing.

Referring to FIG. 7, the hot wire connection unit 130 includes a hot wire power supply unit 131 that supplies power to the connected pipe hot wire 200; And a heating wire power detection unit 132 that monitors the power supplied to the connected pipe heating wire 200; may include.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is a heating wire connection unit 130 to which two pipe heating wires 200 can be connected, and the heating wire power supply unit 131 is a first heating wire for supplying power to each pipe heating wire 200. It includes a power supply unit 131a and a second heating wire power supply unit 131b, and the heating wire power detection unit 132 is a first heating wire power detection unit for monitoring the power supplied to each pipe heating wire 200 ( 132a) and a second heating wire power detection unit 132b, respectively.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 8, the heating wire power supply unit 131 supplies power to each pipe heating wire 200 under the control of the control unit 110, and the heating wire power detection unit 132 measures the power supplied. By performing monitoring and transmitting the monitoring results to the control unit 110, the control unit 110 can control the pipe heating element 200.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 controls the power to the pipe heating wire 200 when the power supplied to the pipe heating wire 200 exceeds a preset standard as a result of monitoring by the heating wire power detection unit 132. supply can be blocked.

If excessive power is supplied to the pipe heating wire 200 due to a short circuit, etc., a risk such as a fire may occur. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 detects the power supplied to the pipe heating wire 200 by the heating wire power detection unit 132, and when the detected power supply exceeds a preset standard, a short circuit, etc. It is determined that this has occurred and the supply of power to the pipe heating wire 200 is cut off to prevent an accident.

At this time, the control unit 110 blocks the supply of power and simultaneously transmits a notification to the management server 2000 or the user terminal 3000 through the communication unit 140 so that the user can check for abnormalities in the pipe heating element 200. and allow inspection to be performed.

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the control unit 110 supplies power to the pipe heating wire 200, as a result of monitoring by the heating wire power detection unit 132, if no power is supplied to the pipe heating wire 200. That is, when the pipe heating wire 200 is disconnected and power is not supplied, a notification is sent to the management server 2000 or the user terminal 3000 through the communication unit 140 so that the user can check the abnormality of the pipe heating wire 200. You can check and perform inspection.

Figure 9 is a diagram schematically showing the power supplied to the pipe heating wire according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, in one embodiment of the present invention, when driving the two pipe heating elements 200, the control unit 110 alternately supplies power to the two pipe heating elements 200 according to a preset cycle. can be supplied. As shown in FIG. 5, two pipe heating wires (200) connected to the heating wire controller (100) may be installed in one pipe (50) spaced apart from each other. At this time, the control unit 110 of the heating wire controller 100 may supply power alternately to the two pipe heating wires 200 according to a preset cycle, as shown in FIG. 9.

In this way, the two pipe heating wires 200 connected to the pipe are alternately driven to apply heat to the pipe 50, thereby reducing power consumption and preventing freezing of the pipe 50.

Figure 10 is a diagram schematically showing a method in which a control unit receives information from a user terminal and controls a pipe heating wire according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the control unit 110 can exchange information with the management server 2000 or the user terminal 3000 through the communication unit 130. The user can input control commands to the control unit 110 through the management server 2000 or the user terminal 3000.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the user can input operation setting information through the user terminal 3000, and the control unit 110 operates based on the operation setting information and temperature information input through the sensor unit 120. Thus, the supply of power to the connected pipe heating wire 200 can be controlled.

At this time, the operation setting information may include temperature information for driving the pipe heating element 200 to prevent freezing. Additionally, the operation setting information may include temperature information for stopping the operation of the pipe heating element 200.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 determines the pipe start temperature and pipe stop temperature for the operation of the pipe heating element 200 from the management server 2000 or the user terminal 3000 connected through the communication unit 130. , receives the outside air start temperature and outside air stop temperature, determines whether the pipe temperature measured by the pipe temperature sensor 300 is less than the pipe start temperature, and whether the pipe temperature measured by the pipe temperature sensor 300 is the pipe stop temperature. The pipe is based on whether the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 125 is less than the outside air start temperature and whether the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 125 is above the outside air stop temperature. The operation of the heating wire 200 can be controlled.

In this way, the control unit 110 receives the upper and lower limits of the pipe temperature and the outside air temperature for the operation of the pipe heating wire 200, and the pipe temperature sensor 300 and the outside air temperature sensor 125 connected to the sensor unit 120. The operation of the pipe heating element 200 can be controlled according to the pipe temperature and outside air temperature input through .

When the outside air temperature and piping temperature are low, the risk of freezing is high, so when the measured outside air temperature is less than the set outside air start temperature and the measured pipe temperature is less than the set piping start temperature, the control unit 110 supplies power to the pipe heating wire 200. Freezing can be prevented by supplying . At this time, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the pipe temperature measured by the pipe temperature sensor 300 is less than the pipe start temperature, and at the same time, the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 125 is less than the outside air start temperature. Power can be supplied to the pipe heating wire 200. In this way, in the present invention, the pipe heating element 200 is operated when both the outside air temperature and the pipe temperature are lower than the set value, so that the temperature is low due to cold fluid flowing in the pipe even on a warm day, or when the temperature is low in the pipe even though the weather is cold. Even when there is no risk of freezing or bursting of pipes due to the flow of warm fluid such as hot water, unnecessary waste of power can be prevented by not operating the pipe heating element 200 unnecessarily.

In addition, when the outside air temperature or the pipe temperature increases, the risk of freezing is low, so if the measured outside air temperature is higher than the set outside air stop temperature or the measured pipe temperature is higher than the set pipe stop temperature, the control unit 110 operates the pipe heating wire (200). ) can be stopped by blocking the power supplied to the device. At this time, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the pipe temperature measured by the pipe temperature sensor 300 is higher than the pipe stop temperature, or when the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 125 is higher than the outside air stop temperature. The supply of power to the pipe heating wire 200 can be stopped. In other words, if the piping temperature is still low but the outside temperature increases and the risk of freezing rupture is lowered, or the outside air temperature is still low but the piping temperature increases and the risk of freezing rupture decreases, the operation of the piping heating element 200 is stopped to make unnecessary Power wastage can be prevented.

Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating a screen for inputting operation setting information from a user terminal to a heating wire controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 shows a screen where the user inputs the piping start temperature, piping stop temperature, outside air start temperature, and outside air stop temperature into the heating wire controller 100 through an application installed on the user terminal 3000 in one embodiment of the present invention. The appearance is shown. Users can easily input the temperature for operation through this application.

In Figure 11, the piping start temperature is set to 6 degrees, the piping stop temperature is set to 10 degrees, the outside air start temperature is set to 4 degrees, and the outside air stop temperature is set to 5 degrees.

In one embodiment of the present invention, under such input conditions, the heating wire controller 100 uses the pipe heating wire 200 based on the pipe temperature and the outside air temperature measured by the pipe temperature sensor 300 and the outside air temperature sensor 125, respectively. ) supplies or cuts off power. For example, when the outside temperature is less than 4 degrees and the pipe temperature is also less than 6 degrees, the heating wire controller 100 supplies power to the pipe heating wire 200 to prevent the pipe 50 from freezing. Afterwards, when the outside temperature rises to 5 degrees or more, the heating wire controller 100 no longer supplies power to the pipe heating wire 200 because the risk of freezing is low even if the pipe temperature does not reach 10 degrees.

Alternatively, when the outside temperature is less than 4 degrees and the pipe temperature is also less than 6 degrees, the heating wire controller 100 supplies power to the pipe heating wire 200 to prevent the pipe 50 from freezing and bursting, and then the outside air temperature is 4 degrees. Even if the temperature remains below 10 degrees, if the pipe temperature rises above 10 degrees, power is no longer supplied to the pipe heating element 200 because the risk of freezing is low.

Alternatively, when the pipe temperature is 6 degrees or higher and the outside air temperature is 4 degrees or higher and the pipe heating element 200 is not operating, if the pipe temperature is maintained at 6 degrees or higher, even if the outside temperature falls below 4 degrees, the high piping Since the risk of freezing of the pipe 50 due to temperature is low, power is not supplied to the pipe heating element 200.

Alternatively, if the pipe temperature is 6 degrees or higher and the outside air temperature is 4 degrees or higher and the pipe heating element 200 is not operating, and the outside air temperature is maintained at 4 degrees or higher, even if the pipe temperature falls below 6 degrees, the high outside air temperature Because the risk of freezing of the pipe 50 is low, power is not supplied to the pipe heating wire 200.

That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the operation of the pipe heating element 200 can be controlled by comparing and determining the operation information input from the user terminal 3000 and the temperature information input through the sensor unit 120. Through this, unnecessary power waste can be prevented and energy efficiency can be increased.

Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating a screen for checking the status of the heating wire controller on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, in one embodiment of the present invention, the user can turn on/off the power of the heating wire controller 100 through an application of the user terminal 3000, and use the information detected by the heating wire controller 100. It can be transmitted and displayed.

As shown in FIG. 12, the application of the user terminal 3000 can receive and display various information from the heating controller 100. In the example of FIG. 12, the displayed information includes whether the pipe temperature sensor 300 and the outside air temperature sensor 125 are operating normally, whether the pipe heating element 200 is operating normally, and whether the pipe temperature sensor 300 and the outside air temperature sensor 125 are operating normally. The pipe temperature and outside air temperature detected by and the set operation mode of the heating wire controller 100 may be displayed.

In this way, the user can check the status of the heating wire controller 100 in real time through the application of the user terminal 3000 without having to go to the heating wire controller 100, making management easy.

Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating a screen for confirming the operation reservation status from a user terminal on a heating wire controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, in one embodiment of the present invention, the user can reserve the operation settings of the heating wire controller 100 or confirm the reserved operation settings through an application of the user terminal 3000.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the user sets a time, etc. for the heating wire controller 100 and directly reserves the operation at that time, or reserves the temperature setting for the operation, etc., and makes a pipe heating wire connected to the heating wire controller 100. The operation of (200) can be controlled.

Figure 14 is a diagram schematically showing the appearance of a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 14, the bracket 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a U-shaped U-band 510 for attaching and fixing the pipe 50 to a fixed facility; and a case coupling portion 520 that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the curved side of the U-band 510 and can be coupled to the controller case. may include.

The case coupling portion 520 may be in contact with the outer surface of the controller case from the coupling body 521 that protrudes and extends from the outer peripheral surface of the curved side of the U-band 510 and the end of the coupling body 521. It may include a coupling contact portion 525 that is formed by bending at a preset angle. The coupling contact portion 525 has a shape that allows it to contact the outside of the controller case, so it can be easily coupled to the controller case through bolting or the like.

Preferably, the bracket 500 includes two or more case coupling portions 520 on the curved side of the U-band 510 and can be coupled to the controller case.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a heating wire controller ( 100) can be easily installed. In particular, by attaching the controller case to the pipe 50 through a bracket 500 using a U-band 510 used for fixing the pipe 50, there is no need to add additional components to the pipe 50, and the installed It is possible to easily install the heating wire controller 100 simply by replacing the U-band 510 of the pipe 50 with the bracket 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the effect of reducing construction costs can be achieved by individually installing a pipe heating wire and a heating wire controller in pipes requiring freeze prevention.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the freeze prevention effect can be achieved even with low-capacity power by installing pipe heating wires individually.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of the pipe in which the pipe heating wire is installed is measured and the pipe heating wire is driven based on the temperature, thereby achieving the effect of saving energy required to prevent freezing.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by monitoring the power consumed in the pipe heating wire, it is possible to diagnose and respond to disconnection and short circuits at an early stage.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to achieve the effect of efficiently using energy by controlling the power supplied to the pipe heating wire according to the properties of the installed pipe.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heating wire controller performs communication, provides information, and receives commands, allowing the user to easily check and control the status of the heating wire controller through the management server or user terminal. there is.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heating wire controller can be attached to the pipe through a bracket, thereby enabling easy installation.

Methods according to embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computing devices and recorded on a computer-readable medium. In particular, the program according to this embodiment may be composed of a PC-based program or a mobile terminal-specific application. The application to which the present invention is applied can be installed on a user terminal through a file provided by a file distribution system. As an example, the file distribution system may include a file transmission unit (not shown) that transmits the file according to a request from the user terminal.

The device described above may be implemented with hardware components, software components, and/or a combination of hardware components and software components. For example, devices and components described in embodiments may include, for example, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. , may be implemented using one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers, such as a programmable logic unit (PLU), microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions. A processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications that run on the operating system. Additionally, a processing device may access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of software. For ease of understanding, a single processing device may be described as being used; however, those skilled in the art will understand that a processing device includes multiple processing elements and/or multiple types of processing elements. It can be seen that it may include. For example, a processing device may include a plurality of processors or one processor and one controller. Additionally, other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are possible.

Software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, which may configure a processing unit to operate as desired, or may be processed independently or collectively. You can command the device. Software and/or data may be used by any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium or device to be interpreted by or to provide instructions or data to a processing device. , or may be permanently or temporarily embodied in a transmitted signal wave. Software may be distributed over networked computing devices and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be stored on one or more computer-readable recording media.

The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., singly or in combination. Program instructions recorded on the medium may be specially designed and configured for the embodiment or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and magnetic media such as floptical disks. -Includes optical media (magneto-optical media) and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc. Examples of program instructions include machine language code, such as that produced by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the embodiments, and vice versa.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with limited examples and drawings, various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art from the above description. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and/or components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components are used. Alternatively, appropriate results may be achieved even if substituted or substituted by an equivalent. Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents of the claims also fall within the scope of the claims described below.

Claims (8)

As a pipe freeze prevention heating wire controller,
A control unit that controls the operation of the connected pipe heating wire based on pre-stored information, information input from the user, and detected information;
Two or more pipe heating wires that apply heat to the pipe to prevent freezing can be connected, and a heating wire connection unit that supplies power to the connected pipe heating wires;
A sensor unit to which a pipe temperature sensor and an outside air temperature sensor can be connected to measure the temperature of the pipe and the outside air, respectively; and
A communication unit capable of communicating with one or more of an external management server and user terminal; Including,
The control unit, the hot wire connection unit, the sensor unit, and the communication unit are provided inside the controller case,
The controller case may be fixed to the pipe through a bracket,
The hot wire connection part,
Two piping hot wires arranged in the left and right directions around the controller case can be connected,
The sensor unit,
Two pipe temperature sensors that measure the temperature of the pipe, which are arranged in the left and right directions around the controller case, can be connected,
The two pipe temperature sensors each measure the temperature on the side of the pipe where the two pipe heating wires are installed,
The pipe heating wire is connected by a wire up to a certain distance from the controller case, and is connected by a heating wire after a certain distance to apply heat to the pipe so that the components inside the controller case are not affected by the heat caused by the heating wire,
The control unit,
Receive input of piping start temperature, piping stop temperature, outside air start temperature, and outside air stop temperature for operation of the pipe heating wire from the management server or user terminal connected through the communication unit,
Whether the piping temperature measured by the piping temperature sensor is less than the piping start temperature, whether the piping temperature measured by the piping temperature sensor is higher than the piping stop temperature, and whether the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor is the outside air start temperature Controlling the operation of the pipe heating wire based on whether the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor is greater than or equal to the outside air stop temperature,
The control unit,
If an abnormal value of temperature is detected by the temperature sensor connected to the sensor unit, if the temperature is not continuously detected, or if the temperature change over time is detected to be greater than the preset standard,
To prevent freezing, power is supplied to pipe heating wires connected at a preset intensity and in a preset pattern.
The control unit,
When driving the two pipe heating wires,
Supplying power to the two pipe heating wires alternately according to a preset cycle,
The bracket is,
A U-shaped U-band for attaching and fixing pipes to fixed facilities; and
A case coupling part protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the curved side of the U-band and capable of being coupled to the controller case,
The case coupling portion includes a coupling body that protrudes and extends from the outer peripheral surface of the curved side of the U-band, and a coupling contact portion that is formed by bending at a preset angle so as to contact the outside of the controller case from an end of the coupling body. And, the coupling contact part has a shape that can be in contact with the outside of the controller case, and can be coupled to the controller case through bolting.
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The control unit,
A pipe freeze prevention heating wire controller that controls the power supplied to the pipe heating wire based on one or more of the thickness of the pipe on which the heating wire controller is installed, the type of fluid flowing in the pipe, and the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the pipe.
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