ITBA20130006A1 - HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEM CONSTITUTED BY A PLURALITY OF WIRELESS EQUIPMENT INTERCONNECTED IN A TYPE OF A SHIRT NETWORK. - Google Patents

Description

"HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEM CONSISTING OF A PLURALITY OF WIRELESS EQUIPMENT INTERCONNECTED IN A MESH NETWORK TOPOLOGY"

The present invention relates to an innovative system for home automation consisting of a plurality of wireless devices interconnected in a mesh network topology, in English called â € œmeshâ €, and divided into a pair of categories, respectively grouping, a first, the modules and, a second, the data input or input modules.

In â € œmeshâ € networks, each node practically acts as a â € œrouterâ €, routing the data packets in several directions, being each node in the mesh a receiver, transmitter and repeater.

The actuation modules technically known in the home automation field are of the type with relay modules or with diverter modules, while the data and input modules are made up of sensor interface modules.

Gewiss, B-Ticino, Vimar are mentioned among the most well-known home automation systems, but those closest to the functionality of the present invention are those called â € œFibaro ', â € œNetvoxâ € and â € œAdhocoâ €.

The technically known actuation modules of the relay type are first examined. As regards the electrical connections and the installation of said actuator modules:

- the â € œFibaro "modules use: the phase-neutral connection for the power supply; a common contact to be connected to the phase and a pair of contacts to be connected to a maximum of two loads / users; a pair of inputs for the buttons to control the pair of connected loads, with the possibility of inserting the neutral interrupted by the button as an input, installation in a box or other compartment in the partitions of a house, as well as occupying small dimensions with the additional possibility of take advantage of pre-existing wiring;

- the â € œNETVOXâ € modules also use the phase-neutral connection for power supply;

- the â € œADHOCOâ € modules also use the phase-neutral connection for the power supply, with the neutral and an additional output for the activation of electrical users up to 3 kW, with the connection of a button between the contact-phase and the button input; the installation is in a box or in another compartment obtained in the partitions of a house, with the possibility of occupying small dimensions and exploiting the pre-existing wiring.

As regards the network configuration of the actuator module and its operating capabilities:

- the â € œFIBAROâ € modules have a node that requires power, as well as being put in direct radio contact with the control unit, in order to be installed in the network, with the need, therefore, to bring the radio control unit close to the place of installation of the node or vice versa; the actuator node is able to control two loads at the same time by activating two separate buttons, thus requiring additional wiring and more space in the button housing boxes;

- the â € œNETVOX "modules also use the phase-neutral connection for the power supply, but the" switch "is able to accept only radio commands, not being equipped with direct manual control, requiring association to a "local switch" equipped with command buttons for transmitting the radio command, as well as requiring wall installation;

- the â € œADHOCOâ € modules use a mechanical selector with sixteen positions requiring the pressing of a button to select the room to which the home automation system belongs; they are therefore able to control a single load, while allowing its functionality in sixteen environments through said mechanical selector on the product.

As far as the diverter modules are concerned, the known technique of the manufacturers of home automation systems currently does not make use of them at all. As regards, instead, the sensor data acquisition interface modules:

- the â € œFIBARO "modules have a 9-30V DC power supply, with two digital inputs capable of communicating with the DS18B20 digital temperature sensor, two digital outputs capable of driving up to 150mA and is designed for be inserted in the housing of other commercial sensors. As regards the network configuration of the element, the node needs to be powered and to be in radio contact with the control unit, thus requiring a control unit close to the installation site of the node or vice versa, even if it has the ability to read up to two digital sensors or four temperature sensors of said type DS18B20;

- the "NETVOX" and "ADHOCO" modules are not equipped with an interface module, but, respectively, the former have a series of sensors of various types and, the latter, are equipped with only a set of three complete radio sensors for presence / light detection, temperature, humidity, as well as data from weather stations operating on solar power.

The fundamental purpose of this home automation system is to solve said disadvantages presented by said FIBARO, NETVOX and ADHOCO devices, also creating a home automation system that can be advantageously installed both for costs and for ease of installation in pre-existing electrical / home automation networks by going to take advantage of the usual interfaces already present in the electrical system.

These purposes are achieved by realizing a home automation system 1 consisting of a plurality of wireless devices interconnected in a mesh network topology equipped with a home automation control unit CD which commands and controls a plurality of actuation modules A1-A2 of the commands given and a plurality of N1-N2 acquisition modules of relevant data, said system 1 thus constituted characterized by the fact that it is suitable for the real-time management of a plurality of domestic users with minimized costs and extreme ease of installation even on electrical or home automation systems pre-existing, not requiring interventions on the wall faces, as said actuation modules A1-A2 basically consist of a pair of types of electronic actuators able to integrate and / or replace the existing devices present on the current electrical / home automation systems, creating new home automation functions, as well as from said acquisition modules one data N1-N2 to interface with a plurality of newly installed or pre-existing S1-S2-S3 sensors, connecting remotely, with or without wires, with a plurality of electronic devices and interfaces by means of a signal / data router R on IP protocol.

These objects and the consequent advantages, as well as the characteristics of the home automation system 1 according to the present invention, will be more clearly evident from the following detailed description of a preferred solution, given by way of example, but not limited to, with reference to the attached drawings, in the Which:

> Fig.1 is a schematic view showing a preferred, but not limiting, solution of a system 1 according to the invention, where a plurality of wireless devices interconnected in a mesh network topology can be seen, with said system 1 equipped a CD home automation control unit that commands and controls a plurality of actuation modules A1-A2 of the commands given and a plurality of acquisition modules N1-N2 of the relevant data; > Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing an exemplary, but not limiting, diagram of an electronic actuator module A1, basically consisting of at least one electronic switch C1-C2, an instantaneous meter M of the energy absorption of the electrical loads U1-U2, a radio microcontroller T for remote control of the actuation module with storage of relevant data, a power supply / converter or phase E of the electrical system, a sensor S for detecting manual control via the P push-button panel of one or several electric users U1-U2 controlled by said first type of actuators A1;

> Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing an exemplary, but not limiting, diagram of a second electronic type actuator module A2 or diverter module A2, basically consisting of a power supply E, an instantaneous meter M, a radio microcontroller T and an electronic switch C3 of at least one electric user U1 controlled by said second type of actuators A2, by means of a mechanical switch DM coupled to said switch module A2;

but not limiting, of a data acquisition module N1 (or N2), basically consisting of a data acquisition logic device DL, a radio microcontroller T, a power supply E, a voltage converter EC, with said data acquisition module N1 thus constituted capable of interfacing with a multiplicity of pre-existing or installable S3 sensors (or alternatively S1-S2), allowing to control, store and manage the collected data, as well as to power the same plurality of S3 sensors;

> Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing an exemplary, but not limiting, scheme of a system 1 according to the present invention (on the right), interconnected with a plurality of other similar home automation systems 1 in order to manage larger home automation complexes .

As can be seen from the attached figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, in particular Fig. 1, said system for home automation 1 consists of a plurality of wireless devices interconnected in a mesh network topology and is equipped of a CD home automation control unit that commands and controls a plurality of actuation modules A1-A2 of the commands given and a plurality of acquisition modules N1-N2 of the relevant data. Said system 1 thus constituted is suitable for the real-time management of a plurality of domestic users with minimized costs and extreme ease of installation even on pre-existing electrical or home automation systems, because it does not require interventions on the wall faces, as said implementation modules A1-A2 basically made up of a pair of types of electronic actuators, able to integrate and / or replace the existing devices present on the current electrical systems (relays or switches) or home automation. Furthermore, these A1-A2 actuators realize new home automation functions and the N1-N2 data acquisition modules to interface with a plurality of newly installed or pre-existing sensors S1-S2-S3, analog or digital such as gas leak sensors S1, thermostats S2, detectors presence sensors, chronothermostats, anemometers, pressure switches, by connecting remotely, with or without wires, with a plurality of devices and electronic interfaces by means of a signal / data router R on IP protocol.

Said first type of actuator A1, as can be seen from Fig. 2, is basically constituted by at least one C1-C2 electronic switch; an instantaneous meter M of the energy absorption of the various electrical loads U1-U2; a radio microcontroller T for remote control of the actuation module with storage of the detected data; a power supply / converter or phase E of the electrical system; a sensor S for detecting the manual control via push-button panel P of one or more electric users U1-U2 controlled by said first type of actuators A1. The A1 actuation modules are equipped with an input to which to connect the electric wire coming from the control already installed in the pre-existing electrical system, or to be installed during its construction and replace the current actuation modules with single relay, double relay. ̈ and with diverter relay.

Said second type of actuators A2 or diverter modules, on the other hand, are basically constituted, as can be seen from Fig. 3, by at least one power supply E, an instantaneous meter M, a radio microcontroller T and an electronic diverter C3 for at least one user. electric switch U1 controlled by said second type of actuators A2, with said electronic diverter C3 equipped upstream of the diverter module A2 with at least one mechanical diverter DM.

Both types of actuators A1-A2 are able, despite the minimized dimensions they must be equipped with in order to be installed without difficulty and without the need for interventions on the wall faces, to quantify the energy consumed both instantaneously and summarily, managing energy savings automatically and also allowing the automatic disconnection of loads exceeding pre-established threshold peaks of the maximum allowed energy consumption.

The data acquisition module N1 (or N2), as shown in Fig. 4, is basically constituted by a logic device for data acquisition DL, a radio microcontroller T, a power supply E and a voltage converter EC.

The N1 data acquisition module thus constituted is able to interface with a multiplicity of pre-existing or installable S3 sensors, allowing to control, store and manage the collected data, as well as to power the same plurality of S3 sensors.

The actuators of the first A1 and of the second A2 type, as well as said acquisition modules N1-N2 for home automation, have been designed precisely to be powered directly from the mains voltage, without the need to resort to means of transforming the electrical voltage and without the need for additional wiring, compared to pre-existing devices.

The first A1 and second A2 type actuators, as well as said data acquisition modules N1-N2 can also be installed on pre-existing systems, being able to work very well with the technologies present therein.

The home automation system 1, as shown in Fig. 5, is controlled and managed by said CD home automation control unit and can coexist and cooperate on a single network with a plurality of other similar home automation systems 1, so as to forming a single complex system for the control, command and management of large-scale environments with a high number of users served.

Said first A1 and second A2 type actuators are characterized by the fact that all the constituent parts of the same actuator necessary to make it can be modified and varied in other equivalent or similar ways with further and preferred customizations.

The actuation modules are compatible with any button on the market and are powered by the normal electrical cables of the system.

Each actuator module, for example, is able to perform the sequential switching on of two relays, emulating the operation of the same relays similar to those present in common daily use, creating up to four innovative command combinations with two just relays. The actuator module can also control the absorption of the load so that the system can, for example, deactivate the load when a programmed threshold is exceeded according to a pre-established priority. If the actuator module is used as a diverter, it must follow the specific known command configuration of a deviated and / or inverted light point. This configuration provides for the presence of a mechanical diverter or a mechanical diverter combined with a mechanical inverter. The diverter module has the advantage of being able to control the absorption of the load so that the system can, for example, deactivate the load when a programmed threshold is exceeded according to a pre-established priority.

The N1-N2 data acquisition modules or input module is designed to interface with any type of sensors, detectors, probes, etc., on the market to detect the presence of gas, temperatures, gases, etc.

With a view to reducing costs and accessibility, it is therefore possible to exploit a pre-existing system equipped with various sensors by connecting them to the input module which will then exploit the outputs (both analog and digital) and supplying the power supply for their operation. Actuator modules, in fact, are able to perform a variety of functions by issuing commands via radio and / or through a single button connected to the single actuator node. Compared to the known technique, this system introduces the possibility of exploiting the normal buttons present in the plates (therefore operating at 220V, without the need, therefore, of having to wire anything else), as well as with a single button being able to actuate a plurality of loads in a automatic, therefore without having to use a button for each load (for example, pressing the button sequentially will sequentially switch on a combination of four or more lamps connected to the single module). No technology currently known allows you to do the above, as current home automation systems require the insertion of as many buttons as there are the same users, requiring a greater number of cables in the sockets and, therefore, more space to occupy in the same sockets. , with higher relative costs for the end user.

The entire network interacts with the outside via a CD-R coordinator / gateway capable of putting the system in communication via the internet (16) or other means of wireless connection with the IP protocol or other protocols.

It will therefore be possible to interact with the system through appropriate software loaded on tablet I1, PC I3-I5, smartphone and any other device D1, D2, D3, D4, I2, I4, in the preferred but not limiting solution, shown in the attached figures in able to communicate on IP protocol or other network protocol.

The home automation system conceived, therefore, has as the electrical connections of the actuator modules the phase and neutral respectively for the power supply and the entry of a cable into the button (phase interrupted or neutral interrupted), guaranteeing greater flexibility and less wiring. It is also sufficient to invert the power supply phase and neutral and use the controlled neutral instead of the controlled phase, as well as four clean contacts to which the load can be connected at will up to the installed domestic electrical power, usually three kW in a standard economic environment. The installation is carried out in boxes or in any space in the walls thanks to the small size and the ability to exploit the pre-existing wiring. The network configuration is obtained by calibrating the pressure on the appropriate button P1-P2, perhaps with dynamic signaling via a LED. The flexible configuration in the node in any environment or room (in a virtually unlimited number) takes place through specific software. The node can be activated directly in the place where it is installed, as long as there is radio coverage by another node already in the network or by the control panel. The operating capabilities of the first type A1 actuator module allow to control two loads U1-U2 at the same time, making it possible to advantageously choose between the control of TP shutters, V5 gates, EV solenoid valves, doors, etc., or the control of several U1 lights. -U2 both remotely and from the manual control button, creating an automatic ignition sequence with four combinations.

The actuator operates in a flexible and adaptable way to the customer's needs as it can be integrated in a large number of rooms, as well as associated with automated actions, allowing the possibility of measuring the current consumed by the loads of the connected users.

The second type actuator module is always electrically powered as the previous one, being equipped with a set of three contacts for the realization of the diverter connection, with common and two clean contacts. Network configuration takes place by pressing the appropriate button, which always occurs with dynamic signaling via a LED, allowing flexible configuration of the node in any room (virtually unlimited number) through special software. Said second type A2 actuator, on the other hand, is able to command a diverted light point (using two switches), as well as measure the quantity of current supplied.

The sensor interface module or input data acquisition module is always connected to a phase with the neutral, using an isolated twelve Volt output with respective ground to power external devices, a pair of independent analog inputs to read analog information or digital coming from as many sensors. The network configuration of the sensor takes place by pressing the appropriate button, with dynamic signaling via a LED, creating, also in this case, a flexible configuration in the node in any room through special software. The operating capabilities of the acquisition module are able to detect analogue and digital quantities up to twelve Volts and possibly, if necessary, power the same device to be connected, thus requiring only the wiring of the phase and neutral lines if they are not present. . It is also able to perform the balanced reading of the sensors allowing to connect more sensors or more contacts of a sensor through a suitable combination of resistors.

The advantages that can be obtained with the adoption of this home automation system, compared to the home automation systems existing on the market today, are therefore innumerable, but basically consist of:

very low costs of the constituent devices and necessary for the optimal functioning of the system;

minimum size of the components and electronic devices making up the system;

minimized installation costs, since the system does not require interventions on the wall faces.

possibility to remotely monitor the entire home environment in a continuous and highly versatile way, together with the possibility of being able to intervene at any time in order to operate a reliable remote management of household devices and appliances;

possibility of directly powering the electronic devices from the power line supplying the home automation environment.

A further advantage of the present invention, no less important than the previous ones, is that of having created a system for home automation environments of high reliability, easy installation and very low cost for the end user, without underestimating the advantage of being able to measure the current consumed by the loads connected to it.

Another advantage is given by the simplicity of manufacturing the constituent parts, which can be easily made at low cost with electromechanical and electronic components that are easy to find on the electronic market.

It is also evident that numerous retouching, adaptations, additions, variations and replacements of elements with other functionally equivalent may be made to the example of realization previously described for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, without however leaving the scope of protection of following claims.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1) Home automation system (1) consisting of a plurality of wireless devices interconnected in a mesh network topology equipped with a home automation control unit (CD) that commands and controls a plurality of actuation modules (A1, A2) of the commands given and a plurality of acquisition modules (N1, N2) of the relevant data, said system (1) thus constituted characterized by the fact that it is suitable for the real-time management of a plurality of domestic users with minimized costs and extreme ease of installation even on pre-existing electrical or home automation systems, not requiring interventions on the wall faces, as said actuation modules (A1-A2) basically consist of a pair of types of electronic actuators able to integrate and / or replace the existing devices present on the current electrical systems (relays or switches) or home automation, creating new home automation functions and said data acquisition modules (N1, N2) to interface with a plurality of newly installed or pre-existing analog or digital sensors (S1, S2, S3) such as gas leakage sensors (S1), thermostats (S2), presence detectors (S3), chronothermostats, anemometers, pressure switches , by connecting remotely, with or without wires, with a plurality of electronic devices and interfaces by means of a signal / data router (R) on IP protocol. 2) Home automation system (1), according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said first type of actuator (A1) is basically constituted by at least one switch (C1, C2) of the electronic type; an instantaneous meter (M) of the energy absorption of the electrical loads (U1, U2); a radio microcontroller (T) for remote control of the actuation module with storage of the detected data; a power supply / converter or phase (E) of the electrical system; a sensor (S) for detecting the manual control via push-button panel (P) of one or more electrical users (U11, U2) controlled by said first actuators (A1). 3) Home automation system (1), according to the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said second type of actuator or diverter module (A2) is basically constituted by at least one power supply (E), an instantaneous meter (M), a radio microcontroller (T) and an electronic diverter (C3) of at least one electrical user (U1, U2) controlled by said second type of actuators (A2), by means of a mechanical diverter (DM) coupled to the same diverter module (A2). 4) Home automation system (1), according to the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said types of actuators (A1, A2) are capable, despite the minimized dimensions with which they must be equipped, to be installed without difficulty and without the need of interventions on the wall faces, to quantify, through said instantaneous meter (M), the energy consumed both instantaneously and summarily, managing energy savings automatically and also allowing the automatic disconnection of loads exceeding predetermined threshold peaks of the maximum allowed energy consumption. 5) Home automation system (1), according to the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said data acquisition module (N1, N2) is basically constituted by a logical data acquisition device (DL), a radio microcontroller (T ), a power supply (E) and a power supply voltage converter (EC), called data acquisition module (N1, N2) thus constituted being able to interface with a multiplicity of pre-existing or installable sensors (S1, S2, S3) , allowing to control, store and manage the collected data, as well as to feed the same plurality of sensors (S1, S2, S3). 6) Home automation system (1), according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said first (A1) and second (A2) type actuators, as well as said acquisition modules (N1, N2) for home automation, according to the preceding claims can be powered directly from the mains voltage, without the need to resort to means of transforming the electrical voltage and without the need for additional wiring with respect to the pre-existing ones. 7) Home automation system (1), according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said first (A1) and second (A2) type actuators, as well as said data acquisition modules (N1, N2) can be installed on existing systems being able to work very well with the technologies present therein. 8) Home automation system (1), according to the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said system (1) commanded, controlled and managed by said home automation control unit (CD), can coexist and cooperate on a single network with a plurality of other similar home automation systems (1), in such a way as to form a single complex system for the control, command and management of large environments with a high number of users served. 9) Home automation system (1), according to the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said system (1) uses the normal buttons (P1, P2) present in the plates of the sockets, ie those operating with the mains voltage, without the need, therefore, to make additional wiring. 10) Home automation system (1), according to the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that by means of a single button (P1, P2) it is possible to activate a plurality of loads automatically, without necessarily having to use a button for each load and / or user.