Heating stove controller and heating stove control method

Abstract

The application provides a heating stove controller, which is connected with a heating stove in a communication mode, and the heating stove controller comprises a control panel configured to be operable to modulate the operation of the heating stove according to a temperature control protocol, wherein a control knob is arranged on the control panel, when the control knob is triggered, the heating stove controller modulates the heating stove to operate at a set power, wherein the set power is greater than the power of the heating stove before the control knob is triggered. The application also provides a heating stove control method using the above heating stove controller. The heating stove controller and the heating stove control method can realize fast heating and simplify and facilitate the operation of the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of boiler control technology, and in particular to a boiler controller and a boiler control method. Background Technology

[0002] There are generally two ways to control the operation of existing heating boilers (e.g., gas-fired wall-hung boilers): one is the boiler operation / stop control method, and the other is the boiler modulation control method.

[0003] In the boiler operation / stop control mode, each room's controller can open / close the circulating water pipe valve to turn heating demand on / off, simultaneously closing / opening the dry contact connected to the boiler. When all room controllers close their heating demand, causing the corresponding dry contacts to open, a stop signal is generated on the boiler side, causing it to stop operating. If any room controller opens its heating demand, i.e., the corresponding dry contact closes, the boiler will start operating. In this way, heating demand is met through the boiler's operation / stop. However, in this control mode, the boiler always operates at a set power (usually maximum power), leading to energy waste (e.g., natural gas).

[0004] In boiler-based modulated control systems, each room's controller can individually adjust the room's heating needs by opening / closing the circulating water valves. The boiler controller, based on control logic and algorithms, modulates the boiler's outlet water temperature to save energy while meeting heating requirements. However, in this control method, the boiler only uses maximum power initially, and then modulates to the user-selected power (usually less than maximum power) during normal operation. Therefore, when adjusting room heating needs (e.g., increasing temperature), users need to wait a considerable amount of time to reach their desired temperature. Unless the user goes to the boiler and selects a higher power on the control panel or human-machine interface for rapid heating, and the boiler is often installed in a corner or other inconvenient location, it becomes difficult for the user to operate directly.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to improve the boiler controller and boiler control methods in order to quickly meet user needs and facilitate user operation. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide an improved boiler controller and a boiler control method to overcome the problems existing in the prior art.

[0007] Therefore, according to one aspect of this application, a boiler controller is provided, which is communicatively connected to a boiler, the boiler controller comprising:

[0008] The control panel is configured to operate in order to modulate the operation of the heating boiler according to a temperature control protocol.

[0009] The control panel is equipped with a control button, which is configured such that when the control button is triggered, the heating boiler controller modulates the heating boiler to operate at a set power, wherein the set power is greater than the power of the heating boiler before the control button is triggered.

[0010] According to another aspect of this application, a boiler control method is provided, wherein the boiler and a boiler controller are communicatively connected, the boiler controller includes a control panel configured to operate to modulate the normal operation of the boiler according to a temperature control protocol, and the control panel is provided with control buttons, wherein the control method includes:

[0011] Detect whether the control button is triggered;

[0012] When the control button is detected to be triggered, the boiler controller modulates the boiler to operate at a set power, wherein the set power is greater than the power of the boiler before the control button was triggered.

[0013] The heating furnace controller and heating furnace control method of this application can achieve rapid heating, thereby quickly meeting the user's heating needs, and are also easy for the user to operate. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Exemplary embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments described below are only for explaining this application and do not limit the scope of this application. In the accompanying drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a heating system formed by a heating furnace controller, a heating furnace, and related accessories according to an embodiment of this application;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of a boiler control method according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Preferred embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to examples. In the embodiments of this application, a gas-fired wall-hung boiler and its controller are used as examples for description. However, those skilled in the art should understand that these exemplary embodiments do not imply any limitation on this application. The boiler controller and boiler control method of this application can also be applied to other types of boilers, such as electric boilers.

[0018] Where there is no conflict, the features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other. In the accompanying drawings, other components or steps have been omitted for brevity, but this does not mean that the boiler controller of this application cannot include other components, nor does it mean that the boiler control method of this application cannot include other steps. It should be understood that the dimensions, scale relationships, and number of components or steps in the accompanying drawings are not intended to limit this application.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a heating system formed by a boiler controller, boiler, and related accessories according to an embodiment of this application is shown, which is generally a typical individual residential heating system. Figure 1 As shown, the boiler controller 20 is connected to the boiler 10 via communication (e.g., wired or wireless connection) and can control the operation of the boiler 10 through control logic and algorithms. The boiler 10 can be, for example, a gas-fired wall-hung boiler, which includes a gas supply pipeline, a combustion device, a water circulation pipeline, a pump, a fan, sensors, and control devices. Of course, the boiler 10 can also use other energy sources and may include different components, which will not be described in detail here.

[0020] The heating boiler 10 is equipped with an outlet port connected to an outlet pipe 11 and a return port connected to a return pipe 12. The outlet pipe 11 and return pipe 12 are connected to a valve assembly 70, and through the valve assembly 70, they connect to the heating equipment to form a circulation loop. The heating equipment can be a radiator 50 or a floor heating system 60. The valve assembly 70 may include multiple valves, each connected to and controlled by a corresponding room controller. For example, a first room controller 30 can control the valves on the pipes leading to the heating equipment in a first room, and a second room controller 40 can control the valves on the pipes leading to the heating equipment in a second room. Each room controller can individually adjust the heating demand of a room by opening / closing the valves on its corresponding pipes. For example, each room controller can set a room temperature. When the actual room temperature reaches the set room temperature or exceeds a certain threshold above the set room temperature, the valve can be closed; conversely, when the actual room temperature is below the set room temperature or falls below a certain threshold below the set room temperature, the valve can be opened to meet the heating demand. During normal operation, the boiler 10 typically operates at the power selected by the user, and for economic reasons, the selected power is usually lower than the boiler 10's maximum power. For example, the boiler 10 has multiple selectable power settings. Once the user selects an appropriate setting, the boiler 10 operates at the selected power under the control of the boiler controller 20, and the user does not need to manually set the power setting during normal operation. Simultaneously, each room controller controls the opening and closing of valves according to the set room temperature.

[0021] The boiler controller 20 of this application includes a control panel 21, which is configured to operate to modulate the operation of the boiler 10 according to a temperature control protocol (e.g., Open Thermal Protocol). Users can operate the control panel 21, for example, via buttons, knobs, or a touchscreen, to start and adjust the operation of the boiler 10. In embodiments of this application, the control panel 21 is provided with a control button 22. When the control button 22 is triggered (i.e., turned on or selected, etc.), the boiler controller 20 can modulate the boiler 10 to operate at a set power, wherein the set power is greater than the power of the boiler 10 during normal operation before triggering the control button 22; that is, the boiler 10 activates a boost mode. For example, the set power may be 80%, 90%, or 100% of the maximum power of the boiler 10, while the power of the boiler 10 during normal operation before triggering the control button 22 may be 50%, 60%, etc., of the maximum power. Additionally, the duration for which the boiler 10 operates in rapid heating mode can be limited, such as to 0.5 hours, 1 hour, or not at all. When control button 22 is triggered, the boiler controller 20 causes the boiler 10 to operate at higher power to quickly raise the room temperature, thus satisfying the user's desire to reach the set room temperature as quickly as possible. This can be achieved with a single button trigger, simplifying user operation. Furthermore, since operation is only required on the control panel of the boiler controller 20, which is often installed in an easily accessible location such as the living room of a residence, it is convenient for users.

[0022] When the boiler 10 operates at higher power, this is directly reflected in the outlet water temperature. Therefore, when control button 22 is triggered, the boiler controller 20 can adjust the boiler 10 to set the outlet water temperature to a set temperature, which is higher than the outlet water temperature of the boiler 10 during normal operation before triggering control button 22. For example, the set outlet water temperature can be set to 80 degrees Celsius, 90 degrees Celsius, etc., while the outlet water temperature of the boiler 10 before triggering control button 22 can be 45 degrees Celsius, 50 degrees Celsius, etc.

[0023] It should be noted that the power setting, duration setting, and outlet water temperature setting can all be set by the user within the power setting range, duration setting range, and outlet water temperature setting range, respectively. The power setting, duration setting, and outlet water temperature setting can each have corresponding default values ​​for power setting, duration setting, and outlet water temperature setting, as shown in Table 1 below.

[0024] Table 1

[0025]

[0026]

[0027] Table 1 lists the set values, setting ranges, and default values ​​for outlet water temperature, duration, and power in rapid heating mode, where:

[0028] Tset: Set the outlet water temperature; Tmin: Minimum set outlet water temperature; Tmax: Maximum set outlet water temperature; Tdef: Set the default outlet water temperature; Dset: Set the duration; Dmin: Minimum set duration; Dmax: Maximum set duration; Ddef: Set the default duration; Pset: Set the power; Pmin: Minimum set power; Pmax: Maximum set power; Pdef: Set the default power.

[0029] The values ​​in the "Settings" column of Table 1 (i.e., Tset, Dset, Pset) can be configured by the user within the range defined in the "Range" column. If the user does not configure them, the boiler controller 20 controls the boiler 10 to operate in rapid heating mode using the values ​​in the "Default Values" column. It should be noted that the values ​​in the "Range" and "Default Values" columns are fixed for the boiler's operating state before the control button is triggered. That is, corresponding to the boiler's operating state before the control button is triggered, the set power range, set duration range, and set outlet water temperature range are fixed, and the set power default value, set duration default value, and set outlet water temperature default value are also fixed. This is for the sake of normal boiler operation. For example, the boiler 10 may have multiple power levels. Corresponding to the normal operating state of the boiler 10 at each power level, there is a set of "Settings," "Range," and "Default Values" for the aforementioned set power, set duration, and set outlet water temperature. In addition, to ensure safety, the set power default value Pdef is preset to the minimum value Pmin within the corresponding set power range. Of course, users can also configure and set the power based on their needs.

[0030] After the heating boiler 10 operates in the aforementioned rapid heating mode, when the user triggers control button 22 again or another control button (not shown) to stop the rapid heating mode, or when a set duration has elapsed, the heating boiler controller 20 can modulate the heating boiler 10 to return it to the normal operating mode before control button 22 was triggered. Therefore, when only control button 22 is provided on the control panel 21, triggering and re-triggering control button 22 can respectively enable and disable the rapid heating mode. When two control buttons are provided on the control panel 21, triggering control button 22 enables the rapid heating mode to be enabled, while triggering the other control button enables the rapid heating mode to be disabled.

[0031] According to embodiments of this application, the control button 22 can be a physical control button on the control panel 21, or a virtual control button on the user interface of the control panel 21, such as a menu option. In this case, the triggering and re-triggering of the control button 22 can be achieved by selecting and deselecting the menu option. It should be understood that the user interface of the control panel 21 can also be presented on the user's smart device. For example, the user's smartphone can display the user interface of the control panel 21 and can be operated through touch or other actions.

[0032] To alert users to changes in the operating mode of the boiler 10 during rapid heating, allowing them to switch modes promptly, the control panel 21 is equipped with a light-emitting element 23. When the control button 22 is triggered, the light-emitting element 23 illuminates, for example, by flashing, remaining constantly lit, or shining brightly. For instance, the light-emitting element 23 could be a flashing LED or a flashing cursor on the user interface of the control panel 21.

[0033] Reference above Figure 1 The present application describes the boiler controller and the heating system formed with the boiler and related accessories, as follows: Figure 1 and 2 This application describes the boiler control method.

[0034] As mentioned above, the heating boiler 10 and the heating boiler controller 20 are connected in a communicative manner. The heating boiler controller 20 includes a control panel 21, which is configured to operate to modulate the operation of the heating boiler 10 according to a temperature control protocol. The control panel 21 is equipped with control buttons 22. During the normal operation of the heating boiler 10 ( Figure 2 In the normal operating mode (NM), the boiler controller 20 detects whether the control button 22 is triggered. When the control button 22 is detected to be triggered ( Figure 2In step 1), the boiler controller 20 modulates the boiler 10 to operate at a set power, which is greater than the power of the boiler 10 before the control button 22 was triggered; that is, the boiler 10 operates in rapid heating mode BM. Subsequently, when it is detected that control button 22 has been triggered again, or another control button has been triggered (step 2), or a set duration has elapsed (step 3), the boiler controller 20 modulates the boiler 10 to return it to the normal operating mode NM before the control button 22 was triggered. Additionally, during rapid heating mode BM, the light-emitting element 23 emits light (step 4).

[0035] By setting control buttons on the control panel of the heating boiler controller and detecting the trigger status of the control buttons, the heating boiler controller and heating boiler control method of this application can achieve rapid heating and simplify and facilitate user operation.

[0036] The present application has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. For example, the present application has been described in a preferred embodiment using a gas-fired wall-hung boiler heating boiler controller as an example; however, it can be applied to other forms of heating boilers that use other energy sources (e.g., electricity).

[0037] The above description and the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings should be understood as exemplary and not as limiting the scope of this application. Various modifications or alterations can be made to this application without departing from the spirit of the application, and such modifications or alterations shall not depart from the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A boiler controller (20) connected to a boiler (10) via communication, the boiler controller (20) comprising: A control panel (21) is configured to operate to modulate the operation of the heating boiler (10) according to a temperature control protocol, wherein the heating boiler (10) has multiple power levels, and when the user selects an appropriate power level, the heating boiler (10) operates at the power selected by the user during normal operation. The control panel (21) is characterized by having a control button (22). When the control button (22) is triggered, the boiler controller (20) modulates the boiler (10) to operate at a set power. The set power is greater than the power selected by the user before triggering the control button (22), and corresponds to the normal operating state of the boiler (10) at each power level. There are set values, ranges, and default values ​​for the set power. The set power value can be set by the user within the range of the set power; and During normal operation, the range of the set power and the default value of the set power remain fixed.

2. The heating boiler controller (20) according to claim 1, wherein, The control button (22) is also configured such that when the control button (22) is triggered, the boiler controller (20) modulates the boiler (10) to make the outlet water temperature of the boiler (10) a set outlet water temperature, wherein the set outlet water temperature is higher than the outlet water temperature of the boiler (10) before the control button (22) is triggered.

3. The heating boiler controller (20) according to claim 2, wherein, The set water temperature can be set by the user within a set water temperature range, and the set water temperature has a default value.

4. The heating boiler controller (20) according to claim 3, wherein, During normal operation, the set outlet water temperature range and the set outlet water temperature default value remain fixed.

5. The heating boiler controller (20) according to claim 4, wherein, The default value of the set power is preset to the minimum value within the corresponding range of the set power.

6. The heating boiler controller (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the control button (22) is triggered again or another control button is triggered or a set duration has elapsed, the boiler controller (20) modulates the boiler (10) to restore it to the operating state before the control button (22) was triggered.

7. The heating boiler controller (20) according to claim 1, wherein, The control button (22) is a virtual control button on the user interface of the control panel (21).

8. The boiler controller (20) according to claim 1, wherein, The control panel (21) is provided with a light-emitting element (23). When the control button (22) is triggered, the light-emitting element (23) emits light. The light-emitting element (23) is either a flashing light-emitting diode or a flashing cursor on the user interface of the control panel (21).

9. A boiler control method, wherein the boiler (10) and a boiler controller (20) are connected in a communicative manner, the boiler controller (20) including a control panel (21) configured to operate to modulate the operation of the boiler (10) according to a temperature control protocol, wherein, The heating furnace (10) has multiple power levels. When the user selects an appropriate power level, the heating furnace (10) operates according to the power selected by the user during normal operation. The control panel (21) is equipped with control buttons (22). The control method includes: Detect whether the control button (22) is triggered; When the control button (22) is triggered, the boiler controller (20) modulates the boiler (10) to operate at a set power, wherein the set power is greater than the power selected by the user before the control button (22) is triggered, and corresponding to the normal operating state of the boiler (10) at each power level, there is a set value, a range of the set power and a default value of the set power; The set power value can be set by the user within the range of the set power; and During normal operation, the range of the set power and the default value of the set power remain fixed.

10. The boiler control method according to claim 9, wherein, The control method further includes: When it is detected that the control button (22) has been triggered again or another control button has been triggered or a set duration has elapsed, the boiler controller (20) modulates the boiler (10) to restore it to the operating state before the control button (22) was triggered.

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