WO2008029987A1

WO2008029987A1 - Home automation system

Info

Publication number: WO2008029987A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/003314
Authority: WO
Inventors: Deok-Jae Lee
Original assignee: Metachem Inc.
Priority date: 2006-09-06
Filing date: 2007-07-09
Publication date: 2008-03-13

Abstract

Disclosed is a home automation system in which precise controls of temperature and flow rate are enabled and optimal air conditioning is carried out. The system includes a heating device; a cooling device; a contact-less multipoint temperature sensor to divide a target area of the heating and cooling apparatus into a plurality of divisional zones and to detect temperatures of the respective divisional zones; and a controller to set temperature from the outside, to receive temperature values of divisional zones selected from the plurality of divisional zones, and to control the heating device or the cooling device based on the set temperature. The system adopts an automatic flow rate controller and an air curtain device.

Description

HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEM

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a home automation system, and more particularly, to a home automation system in which precise controls of temperature and flow rate are enabled and optimal air conditioning is carried out. Background Art

[2] A home automation automatically controls various home appliances to provide amenity and safety. For example, a system is configured to automatically control various electric home appliances and a heating and cooling apparatus such that the apparatuses are automatically operated at the present time and a predetermined proper time. In other words, if a desired temperature is set in the heating and cooling apparatus, the heating and cooling apparatus works or stops by itself at temperature higher or less than the desired set temperature.

[3] However, a conventional home automation does not precisely control temperature and a flow rate of hot water. Particularly, although a user sets a desired temperature and the heating and cooling apparatus to maintain the desired temperature automatically, practically maintaining temperature is not equal to the desired temperature. For example, when the user hopes that the heating and cooling apparatus maintains 25 degrees centigrade and sets the temperature as the indoor temperature at bedtime, the temperature is apt to be higher or less than the desired temperature. This is because a conventional heating and cooling apparatus controlling system such as a boiler detects temperature of hot water and the control is performed for the temperature detection. In addition, recently the majority of Koreans use a bed. Thus, since a user goes to bed higher than the floor even when the control of floor temperature is precisely performed, temperature that the user is conscious of must be different from the floor temperature. This is similar in the heating and cooling apparatus.

[4] In addition, an apparatus problem makes the precise control for the temperature be difficult to control. For example, in a case where there are several unit indoor spaces such as a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and the like, some valves of the boiler pipes are closed and only valves of pipes to desired unit spaces are opened. In this case, since the entire operating pressure is constant, pressure applied to the opened pipes must be relatively higher. As such, when the pressure becomes higher, a flow becomes faster and the circulation flow rate increases. As a result, temperature is rapidly increased, and in the conventional system to detect temperature of hot water and to perform the control in response to the detected temperature, timing for the temperature control is delayed. Moreover, there is a need to rapidly increase temperature of only a desired unit space. In this case, if all the valves of the pipes are opened, the pressure is relatively lowered so that only the temperature of the desired unit space cannot be rapidly increased at first.

[5] Thus, there is a demand for a new home automation system in which more precise control is enabled.

[6]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[7] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a home automation system in which a multipoint temperature sensor is employed to detect temperature at a desired place such that a precise temperature control is enabled.

[8] Moreover, it is another aspect of the present invention to provide a home automation system in which a flow rate is maintained constant in a heating apparatus so that a precise temperature control is enabled.

[9] It is still another aspect of the present invention to provide a home automation system in which an air curtain device is installed to generate negative ions and/or ozone at a desired place so that indoor cleanness can be increased.

[10]

Technical Solution

[11] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a home automation system comprising: a heating device; a cooling device; a contact-less multipoint temperature sensor to divide a target area of the heating and cooling apparatus into a plurality of divisional zones and to detect temperatures of the respective divisional zones; and a controller to set temperature from the outside, to receive temperature values of divisional zones selected from the plurality of divisional zones, and to control the heating device or the cooling device based on the set temperature.

[12] Preferably, the heating device and the cooling device are controlled with respect to unit spaces in a home such as a bedroom, a kitchen, and a living room, the multipoint temperature sensor is provided in every unit space, and the controller controls the unit spaces based on the set temperature.

[13] Preferably, the heating device comprises a floor heating structure including a boiler, a distributor, and hot water circulation pipes installed in floors of the respective unit spaces, and the controller adjust opening degrees of valves installed to the respective hot water circulation pipes. [14] Preferably, each of the valves comprises: a valve body; a valve member installed in the valve body to adjust the opening degree thereof in accordance with a rotation degree; a valve shaft connected to the valve member; a stepping motor; a gear unit to transmit a rotation force of the stepping motor to the valve shaft; and a magnetic sensor including a magnet installed to apply a positional change of the valve shaft and a hall sensor or an anisotropic magneto resistive sensor to detect the positional change of the magnet to detect an opening quantity of the valve.

[15] Preferably, the heating device further comprises pressure sensors respectively installed to the distributor or respective pipe inlets of the unit spaces, and the controller estimates the detected opening quantity of the magnetic sensor and detected values of the pressure sensors to determine a present flow rate and to control the opening degree of the valve such that a predetermined flow rate flows.

[16] Moreover, the heating device further comprises: first hot water temperature sensors installed to the distributor or respective pipe inlets of the unit spaces; and second hot water temperature sensors installed to pipe outlets of the respective unit spaces, and the controller averages detected values of the first hot water temperature sensors and the second hot water temperature sensors to determine present temperatures of the respective unit spaces.

[17] Preferably, the controller determines priority with respect to the respective unit spaces and controls the unit spaces differently.

[18] The home automation system further comprises an air curtain device installed between at least the kitchen and other adjacent unit space opened toward the kitchen, among the unit spaces, to generate ozone and/or negative ions.

[19]

Advantageous Effects

[20] According to the home automation system of the present invention, contactless multipoint temperature sensors are installed to detect temperature of unit spaces such as a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and the like so that a user can keep the indoor temperature in being a desired temperature. Moreover, a device to control the flow rate flowing through the unit spaces is employed so that a precise temperature control is enabled. Furthermore, an air curtain device from which ion wind is generated is employed in the home automation system of the present invention so that smell and transition of temperature are prevented to provide a comfortable and safe residing space.

[21]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[22] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a home automation system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[23] FlG. 2 is a view schematically illustrating a contact-less multipoint temperature sensor employed in the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[24] FlG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating a heating device for the purpose of an automatic flow rate controlling unit that is employed in the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[25] FlG. 4 is a view illustrating a valve employed in the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[26] FlG. 5 is a graph illustrating variation of flow rate with respect to stroke change; and

[27] FlG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an air curtain device employed in the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[28]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[29] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[30] FlG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a home automation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In order to help comprehension, FlG. 1 illustrates several unit rooms such as a bedroom, a kitchen, a living room, and the like of a home, especially the bedroom. However, the following description may be commonly applied to a unit space other than the bedroom.

[31] Referring to FlG. 1, the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a cooling device 12 and/or a heating device 11. The cooling device may be an air conditioner capable of ventilating and exhausting. The heating device 11 may employ a conventional floor heating device. Thus, the heating device 11 may include a boiler 111 and a pipe 112. In addition, the heating device 11 of the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an automatically controlled valve 113 (See FlG. 2), a pressure sensor 114, a flow rate sensor 115, and first and second hot water temperature sensors 116-1 and 116-2, and automatically controls the flow rate. This configuration will be described in detail later.

[32] The home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a contact-less multipoint temperature sensor 13. FlG. 2 schematically illustrates the contact-less multipoint temperature sensor employed in the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The contact- less multipoint temperature sensor 13 divides a target area to cool and heat into a plurality of divisional zones and detects temperatures of the divisional zones. Thus, in the multipoint temperature sensor 13, individual sensors 1 to 16 are arrayed in the form of a matrix. The individual sensors 1 to 16 are set in advance to detect temperatures of respective allocated zones. From FIG. 2, it can be understood that the individual sensors 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, and 16 detect temperature above a bed 15 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[33] The home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a controller 14 to set a controllable value such as temperature from the outside. The controllable value can be set with respect to all condition values, such as humidity, a flow rate of hot water, and the like, which are automatically controlled by the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention from the outside.

[34] The controller 14 receives temperatures of the divisional zones selected from the plurality of the divisional zones that the multipoint temperature sensor 13 detects and controls the cooling device 12 or the heating device 11 based on the set temperature. The control may be whether or not the cooling device 12 and the heating device 11 are driven, or especially an adjustment of an opening degree of a valve 130 of the heating device 11.

[35] Preferably, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, if a user sets about 25 degrees centigrade as a target temperature and the controller 14 receives detected values of the individual temperature sensors 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, and 16 to detect temperature over the bed 15 among the individual temperature sensors of the multipoint temperature sensor to control the heating device 11, the heating device 11 can be controlled at a desired temperature more precisely. Likely, the same manner can be applied to the cooling device 12.

[36] Moreover, even if indoor arrangement is changed, detection directions of the individual temperature sensor of the multipoint temperature sensor 13 are also changed so that a new setting is easily achieved.

[37] As described above, the cooling device 12 and the heating device 11 can be controlled to be properly driven to the unit spaces of a home such as a bedroom, a kitchen, a living room, and the like in the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention, like in the conventional home automation system. Thus, multipoint temperature sensors 13 are installed in every unit space such as a bedroom, a kitchen, a living room, and the like so that the controller 14 can control the unit spaces based on respective set temperatures. Moreover, like the conventional manner, manipulation panels 16 are provided in every unit space. The user can use the manipulation panels 16 to control whether or not the cooling device 12 and the heating device 11 are driven and the set temperatures at every unit space.

[38] The home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a configuration for controlling flow rate of the heating device 11. This configuration will be described in detail later. [39] Moreover, the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes an air curtain device 17 to generate negative ions and/or ozone. The air curtain device 17 employed in the present invention will be described in detail later.

[40] Furthermore, the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include additional devices in accordance with humidity and other internal conditions. For example, a security system, and a trespass system 18 may be further included in the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, a fire detecting sensor 19, an alarm device 20, and the like may be further included.

[41] The cooling device 12 employed in the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention may include an air conditioning and ventilation device in which humidity and cleanness of air are checked such that supply and discharge of clean oxygen are automatically performed.

[42] The heating device 11 employed in the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention adopts an automatic flow rate controlling structure. FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating the automatic flow rate controlling unit that is employed in the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The heating device 11 includes a floor heating structure having a general boiler 111, a distributor 117, and hot water circulation pipes 112 which are installed in the floors of respective unit spaces.

[43] The respective hot water circulation pipes 112 are provided with valves 130 whose opening degrees are independently adjusted by the controller 14.

[44] The distributor 117 is installed with the first hot water temperature sensor 116-1 to check temperature of the hot water. Moreover, in order to check temperature of discharged water through the hot water circulation pipes 112 installed in every unit space, the second hot water temperature sensors 116-2 are installed to the hot water circulation pipes 112. Thus, all the temperatures of introducing water and discharging water are detected and compared with the set temperatures so that precise temperatures are determined and the respective valves 130 are controlled.

[45] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the valve employed in the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[46] The valve 130, as illustrated in FIG. 4, includes a valve body 131, a valve member

132 installed in the valve body 131 to adjust the opening degree in accordance with a rotation degree, and a valve shaft 133 connected to the valve member 132. The valve shaft 133 is connected to a stepping motor 136 via a gear unit 134 including a reducer 134-1. Moreover, the valve shaft 133 further includes a magnetic sensor 135 to detect an opening degree or an opened quantity of the valve 130. The magnetic sensor 135 may be installed to apply a positional change of the valve shaft 134-2. Thus, the magnetic sensor 135 includes magnets 135-1 attached to the gear 134-1 mounted to the valve shaft 133 or a gear 134-2 mounted to the reducer and an additional gear 134-3 engaged with the gears 134-1 and 134-2, and a hall sensor 135-2 or an anisotropic magneto resistive (AMR) sensor to detect the positional changes of the magnets 135-1. The magnets 135-1 of the magnetic sensor 135 to detect a position may preferably be plate magnets having at least two magnetic poles and attached to the upper sides of the gears 134-2 and 134-3. The rotation of the valve shaft 134-2 is detected by the magnetic sensor 135 as it is and the hall sensor 135-2 or the AMR sensor detects a degree of the rotation to detect the opening quantity or the opening degree of the valve 130. Due to the control by the controller based on the detected values, the stepping motor 136 rotates the valve shaft 133 to adjust the opening quantity.

[47] FlG. 5 is a graph illustrating variation of flow rate with respect to stroke change.

[48] From the cross-section of the pipe or a passage of the valve depicted in the left side of the drawing, the flow rate is approximately proportional to stroke. Thus, when a pressure is detected, the flow rate can be estimated based on the detected pressure.

[49] Moreover, although not described, various kinds of the valve may be adopted and there is no restriction of the kinds.

[50] Referring FlG. 3 again, the distributor 117 includes a pressure sensor 114 to detect a pressure of the circulated hot water. The pressure of the hot water is checked by the pressure sensor 114 and the opening quantity of the valve is checked by the magnetic sensor 135 installed in the valve 130 so that a precise flow rate can be determined.

[51] Preferably, the distributor 117 includes a flow rate sensor 115 such that the flow rate detected by the pressure sensor 114 and the magnetic sensor 135 is verified.

[52] As such, the first and second hot water temperature sensors 116-1 and 116-2, the magnetic sensor 135, the pressure sensor 114, and the flow rate sensor 115 are connected to the controller 14 to transmit the respective detected values to the controller 14 respectively.

[53] As described in this embodiment of the present invention, singles of the flow rate sensor 115, the pressure sensor 114, and the first hot water temperature sensor 116-1 may be installed to the distributor, and alternately the flow rate sensor 115, the pressure sensor 114, and the first hot water temperature sensor 116-1 may be independently installed to a water introducing portion of the hot water circulation pipes 112.

[54] The controller 14 receives the detected values of the sensors to estimate temperatures and flow rates, to adjust the opening quantity of the valve such that the set temperature and flow rate can be maintained. Particularly, in the conventional heating device, if some valves are closed and a high pressure is applied to other opened valves of the hot water circulation pipes, the flow becomes faster and the flow rate may be increased abnormally. However, according to the configuration of automatically controlling the flow rate in the present invention, the pressure and the opening quantity of the valves are checked to adjust the opening quantity of the valves 130 so that the flow rate is automatically controlled to be constant.

[55] Preferably, the controller 14 of the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a main controller 141 to control the entire system and a heating device controller 142 to control the heating device. Since new facility devices may be added in the future, the above-mentioned configuration is adopted in this embodiment of the present invention.

[56] The user can manipulate the home automation system through the manipulation panels 16 like the conventional manner. For example, temperature, humidity, ventilation, and whether the air curtain device is operated are controlled. Preferably, the manipulation panels 16 are installed in every unit space such that the above- mentioned control can be performed.

[57] The controller 14 of the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an algorithm of determining priority with respect to the respective unit spaces and of controlling the unit spaces differently based on the determined priority. For example, when to operate the heating device 11 or the cooling device 12, a unit space such as a living room is rapidly heated or cooled at first. Especially, in the heating device 11, the priority of the valves 130 may be determined to differentiate the opening degrees thereof.

[58] FIG. 6 is a plan view partially illustrating an indoor space for illustrating the air curtain device employed in the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the home automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the air curtain device 17 installed between the unit spaces to generate ozone and/or negative ions. Particularly, the air curtain device 17 is installed between a kitchen 150 and an adjacent unit space opened toward the kitchen 150, for example, a living room 140 such that pasteurizing, interception of smell, interruption of air flow, and cooling and heating operation can be maintained. The air curtain devices 17 may be installed between respective unit spaces, and preferably installed at a boundary to directly contact the exterior such as a gate to perform the above-mentioned function. In a case when the air curtain device 17 is installed, a ventilation device is preferably installed to prevent an air curtain 170 from being collapsed. Moreover, as seen from FIG. 6, if necessary, a double layer air curtain may be installed.

[59] Industrial Applicability

[60] According to the home automation system of the present invention, contactless multipoint temperature sensors are installed to detect temperature of unit spaces such as a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and the like so that a user can keep the indoor temperature in being a desired temperature. Moreover, a device to control the flow rate flowing through the unit spaces is employed so that a precise temperature control is enabled. Furthermore, an air curtain device from which ion wind is generated is employed in the home automation system of the present invention so that smell and transition of temperature are prevented to provide a comfortable and safe residing space.

[61]

Claims

[ 1 ] A home automation system comprising : a heating device; a cooling device; a contact-less multipoint temperature sensor to divide a target area of the heating and cooling apparatus into a plurality of divisional zones and to detect temperatures of the respective divisional zones; and a controller to set temperature from the outside, to receive temperature values of divisional zones selected from the plurality of divisional zones, and to control the heating device or the cooling device based on the set temperature.

[2] The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein the heating device and the cooling device are controlled with respect to unit spaces in a home such as a bedroom, a kitchen, and a living room, the multipoint temperature sensor is provided in every unit space, and the controller controls the unit spaces based on the set temperature.

[3] The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein the heating device comprises a floor heating structure including a boiler, a distributor, and hot water circulation pipes installed in floors of the respective unit spaces; and the controller adjust opening degrees of valves installed to the respective hot water circulation pipes.

[4] The home automation system according to claim 3, wherein each of the valves comprises: a valve body; a valve member installed in the valve body to adjust the opening degree thereof in accordance with a rotation degree; a valve shaft connected to the valve member; a stepping motor; a gear unit to transmit a rotation force of the stepping motor to the valve shaft; and a magnetic sensor including: a magnet installed to apply a positional change of the valve shaft; and a hall sensor or an anisotropic magneto resistive sensor to detect the positional change of the magnet to detect an opening quantity of the valve.

[5] The home automation system according to claim 4, wherein the heating device further comprises pressure sensors respectively installed to the distributor or respective pipe inlets of the unit spaces, and the controller estimates the detected opening quantity of the magnetic sensor and detected values of the pressure sensors to determine a present flow rate and to control the opening degree of the valve such that a predetermined flow rate flows. [6] The home automation system according to claim 5, wherein the heating device further comprises: first hot water temperature sensors installed to the distributor or respective pipe inlets of the unit spaces; and second hot water temperature sensors installed to pipe outlets of the respective unit spaces; and the controller averages detected values of the first hot water temperature sensors and the second hot water temperature sensors to determine present temperatures of the respective unit spaces. [7] The home automation system according to claim 4, wherein the controller determines priority with respect to the respective unit spaces and controls the unit spaces differently. [8] The home automation system according to claim 2, further comprising an air curtain device installed between at least the kitchen and other adjacent unit space opened toward the kitchen, among the unit spaces, to generate ozone and/or negative ions.