MULTIPURPOSE MULTIFUNCTION DEVICE

Abstract

A multipurpose distributed building automation device, also known as a “smart home device”, and a method for implementing a distributed building automation network are provided. The devices according to the disclosure are used for controlling devices and building services technology in the context of building automation. The device according to the disclosure has a housing and a display and comprises the following components: at least one sensor, at least one actuator and at least one computing unit, wherein the components are arranged in the housing and thus combined in one device and the device is functional without a connection to a central gateway or network device and the device is embodied for installation in a flush-mounting box or as a replacement device for a wall thermostat and has a power supply unit or voltage converter.

Claims

1. A multipurpose multifunction device for implementing a plurality of building automation applications with a housing and a display and/or switches or pushbuttons, the multipurpose multifunction device comprising: at least one sensor; at least one actuator; and at least one computing unit, wherein the components are arranged in the housing and thus combined in one device and the device is functional without a connection to a central gateway or network device and the device is embodied for installation in a flush-mounting box or as a replacement device for a wall thermostat and has a power supply unit or voltage converter.

2. The multipurpose multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the display is a touch-sensitive display and the sensors are configured for temperature measurement and/or atmospheric humidity measurement and/or air pressure measurement and/or air quality measurement and/or motion detection and/or as a video camera and the actuators directly control electrical consumers and are configured as relays and/or dimmers and/or thyristors and/or triacs and/or control elements.

3. The multipurpose multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein a memory unit for recording the sensor data and storing distributed control tasks and/or acoustic and optical signal generators or warning indicators and/or radio modules for communication and/or wired interfaces (KNX, CAN, RS485, TTL) and/or a fan, preferably configured as a speed-controlled blower, primarily for thermally decoupling the integrated sensors and cooling the device, is/are furthermore arranged.

4. The multipurpose multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the multipurpose multifunction device is equipped with an intensity-controllable ventilation system (fan, blower) which is configured, depending on the utilization and self-heating of the device, to improve the thermal decoupling of the integrated sensors and to supply the latter more quickly with fresh ambient air to be measured.

5. The multipurpose multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the housing consists of at least two parts, wherein a cup-shaped convexity is shaped on the underside of the housing and is fixedly connectable to a conventional commercial flush-mounting box, and wherein the housing has in its peripheral zone at least one ventilation opening or sensor opening as well as at least one opening in the upper part which is configured to receive a touch-sensitive display.

6. The multipurpose multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the multipurpose multifunction device is equipped with a room-oriented infrared sensor for temperature detection, and/or is designed to estimate the distance of a presence in the room on the basis of the temperature measured by the infrared sensor, and wherein the infrared sensor is arranged such that it measures horizontally or virtually horizontally into the room in front of the device and the device makes use of the motion detector or internal temperature sensors as a comparison value for calculating the distance of the presence.

7. The multipurpose multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the integrated computing unit and sensors are interconnected in such a way that they monitor one another and, in the event of failure of a computing unit, another computing unit is autonomously capable of warning the user acoustically, optically or via a network about the failure, wherein programs which complement the main processor run on secondary programmable computing units, and wherein the integrated secondary computing units can be reprogrammed in ongoing operation by the main computing unit.

8. The multipurpose multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein at least one valve is integrated in a spatially separate zone within the housing, which valve is actively or vacuum-controlled and the spatially separate zone has a connection to the ambient air and the valve opens toward the remainder of the housing interior (or a zone thereof) and thus enables a transfer of ambient air via the separate space into the remainder of the housing interior.

9. The multipurpose multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the multipurpose multifunction device is equipped with a loudspeaker and microphone and provides an intercom system and, if a video camera is installed, enables videotelephony.

10. The multipurpose multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the multipurpose multifunction device is equipped with a data connection for serially interconnectable multicolor light sources and each LED can adopt another color state.

11. The multipurpose multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is shaped such that, without modification, the housing permits retrofitting of a camera module in a precisely fitting shaped portion in the housing upper part without requiring the removal of a light sensor or LED installed in the same zone.

12. The multipurpose multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is shaped in the subsurface zone to receive a modular power supply unit with an electrical plug-in connection to the remainder of the control device and the device is equipped with a current sensor for measuring its self-consumption and/or the power consumption of at least one connected consumer.

13. The multipurpose multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the device is equipped in the subsurface zone with an LSA insulation displacement terminal for receiving data lines and/or in the subsurface zone with a thermally protected varistor in order to protect itself and consumers connected to the actuators from overvoltage.

14. The multipurpose multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the multipurpose multifunction device is configured to receive expansion modules which are placed on the main board and are configured to be screwable to the housing through the main board, and wherein electrical contact is established via spring pin contacts which are configured to be solderable in the main board from the rear side and, at the contact point, the expansion modules have gold contact faces or conventional THT (through-hole technology) vias.

15. A method for implementing a distributed building automation network, or smart home network, which is constructed on the basis of a plurality of spatially “distributed” devices, wherein each distributed device functions as a connection interface for other “nearby” network-compatible smart home devices, sensors or actuators and thus establishes its own distributed network, and wherein the various distributed devices form their own higher-level network while nevertheless remaining individually functional.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0110] Further advantages and features of the disclosure are explained with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0111] FIG. 1, is a view of the front panel of the device,

[0112] FIG. 2A is a view of the overall device with raised upper shell in order to represent airflow in the housing,

[0113] FIG. 2B is a view of the overall device without the board and display in order to represent airflow in the housing,

[0114] FIG. 3 is an exploded drawing of the device,

[0115] FIG. 4 is a representation of the device in typical installation positions in a room,

[0116] FIG. 5 is a representation of a functional overview/network diagram,

[0117] FIG. 6 is a representation of room temperature detection via infrared sensor,

[0118] FIG. 7 is a representation of trend-based measurement of the distance of the user from the device with the assistance of the motion detector and infrared sensor,

[0119] FIG. 8 is a representation of serially arranged multicolor ambient lighting connected to the device,

[0120] FIG. 9 is a front view of the housing,

[0121] FIG. 10 is a perspective representation of the housing upper part from below,

[0122] FIG. 11 is a side view of the entire housing from above,

[0123] FIG. 12 is a side view of the entire housing from below,

[0124] FIG. 13 is a side view of the entire housing from the left,

[0125] FIG. 14 is a side view of the entire housing from the right,

[0126] FIG. 15 is a detailed view of a housing zone for receiving the camera module,

[0127] FIG. 16 is an exemplary configuration of a valve of the internal sensor zone,

[0128] FIG. 17 is a bird's-eye view of an exemplary configuration of a valve, and

[0129] FIG. 18 is an expansion module receptacle in the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0130] FIG. 1 shows one version of the device according to the disclosure. A full-surface touchscreen is set in the front panel of the housing. Elements 1a, 1b, 1c and 1g are sensors arranged horizontally in the housing which are oriented toward the zone in front of the device. They are here a light sensor/camera, infrared sensor/thermal imaging camera IRS and motion detector.

[0131] Element 1h forms the air inlet openings. The openings are arranged diagonally and enable an air stream through the sensor zone, even when the valve is closed. Sensors are arranged close to the air inlet opening.

[0132] Element 1k is a position for an air outlet opening with a blower located behind it.

[0133] Element 1d is a touchscreen in the housing color (touchscreen glass painted on the reverse side).

[0134] Element 1e is a transparent touchscreen zone for a graphical display.

[0135] Element 1i is an external USB port of the device.

[0136] Element 1m is a position of the data card slot arranged in the side of the housing and a combined opening for a reset switch and a microphone.

[0137] Element 1f is an opening in the front panel glass for a loudspeaker.

[0138] Element 1j is a position for a backlit logo.

[0139] FIG. 2B shows the air stream 2e in the device, wherein the air stream forms between the main board and the lower housing part. When the blower 2a is active, the device draws in ambient air from the zones 2c and 2d and expels it at 2e. Due to the partition 2g shaped in the lower part, the sensor zone is separated from the remainder of the control device. The valve 2b opens due to the resultant vacuum when the blower 2a is active. A film 2e separates the power supply unit virtually air tightly from the upper part. The screw openings, for example indicated 2e and 2g, are supplied closed and the installer opens only the required openings in order to minimize any vacuum loss.

[0140] FIG. 2A shows the upper shell raised. Element 2.2a shows the isolated partition between the sensor zone and the remainder of the device. The partition is of a hollow configuration to improve insulation (see FIG. 10, reference sign 10h). Further, FIG. 2A shows: [0141] valve membrane 2.2b, [0142] blower 2.2e, [0143] lower ventilation openings 2.2d, and [0144] side ventilation openings 2.2c.

[0145] FIG. 3 shows the device according to the disclosure in exploded view. In particular, [0146] 3a shows the touchscreen glass surface, [0147] 3b shows the opening for the infrared heat sensor in the glass, [0148] 3c shows the opening for the loudspeaker, [0149] 3c shows the opening for the motion detector, [0150] 3e shows the cutout for the light sensor, [0151] 3f shows the speed-controllable blower, [0152] 3g shows the infrared sensor, [0153] 3h shows the RGB LED with light guide filter for logo in front panel glass, [0154] 3i shows the motion detector with plastic lens, [0155] 3j shows the cutout in the plastic for the camera lens, [0156] 3k shows the cutout in the board for the camera lens, [0157] 3m shows the power supply board with spring contacts, [0158] 3n shows the board for LSA terminal with connecting cable (cable not shown), [0159] 3o shows the insulating film for providing electrical insulation and an air seal to the upper part, [0160] 3p shows the side air outlet, [0161] 3q shows the opening for the reset switch and microphone, and [0162] 3r shows the opening for a micro-SD card.

[0163] FIG. 4 shows the device according to the disclosure in typical installation positions 4a and 4b.

[0164] FIG. 5 contains a schematic function and connection overview of the device according to the disclosure in its operational environment.

[0165] Element 5a represents the device according to the disclosure with a main computing unit and secondary computing unit indicated by way of example.

[0166] Element 5k shows the external power supply: AC voltage or DC voltage.

[0167] Element 5b is a representation of the sensors integrated in the device itself. Motion, temperature, gas, atmospheric humidity, and pressure sensors, and optionally a microphone and camera are accordingly accommodated in the device. Presence detection or relative position determination is also possible via an integrated radio module which for example detects the signal level of a mobile telephone.

[0168] Element 5o represents external sensors without their own processing logic.

[0169] Element 5p shows “smart” sensors which enable communication in both directions.

[0170] Element 5m represents external switches or contacts (window contact, door contact, typically reed contact), without their own processing logic.

[0171] Element 5n represents “smart” switches with optional integrated actuators.

[0172] Element 5c shows actuators (signal LED, loudspeaker, piezo loudspeaker) integrated in the device according to the disclosure.

[0173] Element 5d shows typical electrical consumers which can be directly controlled with the actuators integrated in the device according to the disclosure.

[0174] Element 5e shows a power measurement module integrated in the device according to the disclosure for measuring consumption.

[0175] Element 5f shows the connection to an external camera. The connection may be bidirectional if the camera has a loudspeaker and microphone.

[0176] Element 5g separately represents monitoring or break-in detection Interactions (warning announcements) with detected burglars are conceivable.

[0177] Element 5h represents the connection to “smart” domestic appliances. These appliances may also provide sensor values under certain circumstances (e.g., washing machine reporting “laundry ready”)

[0178] Element 5i shows possible user interactions with the device. Touch inputs, speech inputs and communication with third parties via the device according to the disclosure are shown.

[0179] Element 5j is intended to represent internal gateway, server and processing functions. Each device according to the disclosure can record, process and evaluate data and make it available via the network.

[0180] Element 5r represents an optional external server via which the functions of the devices according to the disclosure can be centrally managed; integration into a KNX, OpenHAB or FHEM server is for example conceivable.

[0181] The connecting arrows between element 5a and further devices according to the disclosure elements 5s and 5t illustrate the flexible network topology. The devices may accordingly optionally log into a central radio network, but also connect to one another, act as repeaters and achieve range advantages.

[0182] Element 5q represents available interfaces of the device: near-field radio interfaces (WLAN, Bluetooth etc.), long-range radio links (2G, 3G, 4G, EDGE/UMTS/LTE) and wired systems (LAN, RS485, CAN etc.).

[0183] FIG. 6 shows the device according to the disclosure in a typical installation position 6a. The rays 6b represent the detection zone of the integrated infrared sensor IRS.

[0184] FIG. 7 represents the detection zone of the motion detector 7b by way of comparison with the detection zone of the infrared sensor IRS for temperature detection 7d. A person outside the detection zone of the infrared sensor IRS 7c has no influence on the temperature value detected by the infrared sensor IRS. On approaching the device according to the disclosure 7e, a person 7a has an increasingly strong influence on the sensor IRS. The determined temperature value becomes closer to the radiation temperature of the person 7a.

[0185] The system only functions under normal conditions. When room temperature is too high, the measurable temperature difference becomes smaller, such that the system cannot detect an approach.

[0186] FIG. 8 shows the device according to the disclosure 8a with exemplary ambient lighting 8c in the ceiling and floor zones. Subsurface lines 8b connect the device to the ambient lighting 8c. Via a data line, the device according to the disclosure can separately control the brightness and color of each individual light source (dot in the lines 8c). In this way it is, for example, possible to create a lighting situation close to the bed which differs from that close to the entry door. Element 8d indicates an optional additional subsurface power supply unit if the necessary power requirement is higher than the capacity of the integrated power supply unit of the device according to the disclosure.

[0187] There is a problem of space for a multipurpose smart home system installable (alone) in a flush-mounting box because on the one hand sufficient space must remain in the lower zone of the box for connecting supply lines and the upper zone of the box must accommodate a power supply unit, while the control device likewise also requires space for cooling or ventilation thereof, in particular when typical smart home components (server, computing unit, sensors, actuators) are compressed in one device and differing automation tasks also have to be undertaken (heating/presence detection/lighting/monitoring).

[0188] At the same time, compressing all the components of a building automation system in one device results in increased self-heating which has a negative impact on the accuracy of the detected environmental data.

[0189] In known solutions, the housing of a control device is not suitable for receiving a complete building automation system which carries out a plurality of different automation tasks which also differ in kind and which can at the same time be a component of a higher-level distributed building automation system.

[0190] The present disclosure now also provides a housing of a control device which meets the above-stated requirements.

[0191] The housing according to the present disclosure consists of a rectangular housing upper part, which is mounted on the upper side of a plate of the housing lower part, wherein a cup-shaped convexity is shaped on the underside of the plate of the housing upper part.

[0192] The housing is advantageously uniformly configured for all the rooms of a building and fits in a conventional commercial flush-mounting box. It is suitable for a control device which enables different typical recurrent room-by-room automation applications, such as for example: [0193] heating, ventilation and climate control tasks, [0194] lighting control, [0195] roller blind control, [0196] ambient lighting control, [0197] presence detection, indoor positioning system, presence simulation, [0198] monitoring (surveillance system with integrated camera and display of external cameras), [0199] noise/speech recognition, [0200] smart metering, power measurement of connected consumers, [0201] security/safety (alarm system, fire alarm, gas detector, moisture detector, window/door evaluation), and [0202] optical and acoustic alert system.

[0203] The housing permits great variation in the functional range of the installed control device. In particular, the housing can be fitted with a light sensor and a camera module, wherein the housing is shaped such that, without modification, it permits retrofitting of a camera module in an accurately fitting shaped portion in the housing upper part without requiring removal of the light sensor. One and the same device can thus be used in rooms with a greater need for privacy and alternatively in public zones with greater security requirements.

[0204] The housing has a thermally decoupled, separate zone close to the air inlet, in which sensors are arranged in order to detect environmental data as accurately as possible and to reduce any impairment of sensor values due to self-heating by the control device. Partitions divide the sensors from heat sources (processor) in the device and form air guidance channels for optimized device cooling.

[0205] The housing according to the disclosure optionally additionally comprises a valve in the above-stated partitions close to the air inlet opening in order to minimize any impairment of the sensor values of the above-stated sensors due to self-heating of the control device.

[0206] The valve divides the above-stated isolated sensor zone from the remainder of the control device. Heat transfer (by convection or heat radiation) to the sensor zone is reduced as a consequence, so allowing more accurate environmental data to be measured. The valve opens due to the vacuum arising when the internal blower is active. The valve closes under the effect of gravity when the blower is deactivated.

[0207] The valve may for example consist of a flap, membrane or the like.

[0208] FIG. 9 shows a front view of the housing which has an upper part with a rectangular shape. A full-surface glass sheet with a touch-sensitive surface is set into the upper side. The housing upper part is configured to receive a board and for mounting of a housing lower part (see representation in FIG. 11). The openings 9a, 9b, and 9c are suitable for receiving a stills/video camera, light sensor, infrared temperature sensor, thermal imaging camera. Element 9d indicates the programmable color-backlit device logo. Element 9e represents the visible zone of the color display. Outside the visible zone, the glass front panel is colored the housing color. The cutout 9g serves as an opening for a motion detector. The opening 9f forms the sound outlet opening for the loudspeaker mounted behind it.

[0209] The perspective representation of the housing upper part according to FIG. 10 clarifies the opening 10a in the peripheral zone which permits external access for “undoing” the snap-fit latching connector 10b. Openings 10c for European or 86 mm UP boxes and American flush-mounting boxes 10d are incorporated in the underside. Element 10f indicates the spring contact terminal for electrically connecting the supply lines and consumers. The housing openings for the electrical cables are equipped with a taper 10e for clamping the electrical lines in place. An LSA terminal 10g is likewise incorporated in the subsurface zone. The partition of the sensor zone is of hollow configuration to improve insulation, as apparent from the label 10h.

[0210] FIGS. 11 to 14 all show side views of the housing, the housing upper part of which is mounted on the upper side of a plate of a housing lower part. A cup-shaped convexity is shaped on the underside of the plate of the housing lower part. The cup-shaped convexity of the housing lower part has an external diameter which is smaller than the internal diameter of a conventional commercial flush-mounting box. The height of the convexity of the housing lower part is less than the height of a conventional commercial flush-mounting box.

[0211] FIG. 11 is a side view from above. FIG. 11 shows: [0212] motion detector 11a, and [0213] LSA terminal 11b.

[0214] FIG. 12 is a side view from below. FIG. 12 shows: [0215] opening 12a for USB-C connection, [0216] opening aid 12b for unlocking snap-fit fastening, [0217] motion detector 12c, and [0218] diagonally arranged ventilation openings 12d.

[0219] FIG. 13 is a side view from the left. FIG. 13 shows: [0220] LSA terminal 13a, [0221] side ventilation openings 13b for power supply unit, and [0222] sensor zone 13c, diagonal ventilation openings.

[0223] FIG. 14 is a side view from the right. FIG. 14 shows: [0224] opening 14a for a reset switch and a microphone, [0225] opening 14b for MicroSD card, and [0226] air outlet 14c for a blower.

[0227] FIG. 15 shows the receiving position for the light sensor or LED and the camera module. The SMD component 15b soldered onto the board forms the fixedly installed light sensor. The shaped housing portion 15c can receive the polygonal camera module 15a or alternatively a round plastic lens.

[0228] FIGS. 16 and 17 diagrammatically show a further development of the separate sensor zone with valve. The numbering in both drawings is identical. The sensor zone is shielded by a longitudinal cutout in the board 16f and by a partition 16c. The separate sensor zone has direct contact with the ambient air via the openings in the peripheral zone 16h in the housing upper part 16e. The valve flap 16d completely closes off the separate zone from the remainder of the control device. Under the effect of gravity, which acts in the direction of the arrow 16a, the flap remains closed in the normal state.

[0229] When the control device has an increased cooling requirement or there is another reason for ventilation, a blower generates an air stream in the direction 16b, and the resultant vacuum opens the flap/lever 16d.

[0230] The opened flap then enables a flow of an air stream through the entire housing.

[0231] The stop point 16g defines the movement radius such that the center of gravity of the valve flap 16d cannot be located beyond the axis of rotation and the effect of gravity 16a closes the flap again when the blower is switched off.

[0232] The valve flap 16d may also be embodied as a membrane (e.g., a flexible membrane fixed on one side).

[0233] FIG. 18 shows an exemplary mounting of an expansion module in the device. The main board 18c is screwed with screws 18e to the housing upper part 18a via a plastic dome 18b.

[0234] A spring pin contact is by way of example soldered or pressed in place in the main board at position 18g. If the pin is soldered, it is soldered from the rear side. The collar 18j on the spring pin determines the correct position in the main board and simultaneously serves as a solder receiving surface. The spring pin head 18i is vertically freely mobile and a spring (detail drawing A) in the spring pin presses the head toward the expansion board 18d. By way of example, metallic contact points 18h or metallized THT holes (18f by way of example) are present in the expansion board. The pretensioning of the spring of the spring pin establishes a reliable electrical connection between the two boards. Due to the nature of the structure, the distance 18k between the boards is virtually 0. Countersinks are present in the main board below the expansion modules to allow expansion modules populated on both sides.

[0235] 18a portion of front panel housing with screwed in main board 18b retaining dome with internal thread 18c main board 18d expansion board 18e mounting screws 18f exemplary THT hole 18g through-hole main board with spring contact pin soldered in place 18h gold contact face on expansion board 18i spring contact pin head 18j solder collar of spring contact pin 18k distance between main board and expansion module. Detail drawing A is a spring contact pin soldered in place and a head mobile.

[0236] It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.