Device for powering closed or shaded components in buildings using solar power.

Abstract

This invention discloses a device for driving a closing component (9) in a building using a solar power source (1). It includes at least one low-voltage AC motor (3) mechanically connected to the closing component, a DC energy storage element (2), and a solar power source supplying DC voltage. The energy storage element has a rated voltage lower than the effective voltage and greater than the DC voltage supplied by the solar power source. A DC-DC charger (4) converts the output electrical energy from the solar power source into electrical energy having a charging voltage of the energy storage element. A DC-AC converter (5) converts the electrical energy from the DC output voltage of the energy storage element into electrical energy having an AC voltage capable of powering the motor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of motorized closing or shielding components in buildings. Background Technology

[0002] Motorized closing or blocking components in buildings can be, for example, roller blinds, louvers, or garage doors for doors or windows. The drive torque required to operate the closing or blocking component depends on the mass to be moved.

[0003] If moving small masses is required, such as roller blinds for windows or doors, or small louvers, the required drive torque is relatively low, less than 10 Nm. In this case, solar power can be readily used, such as solar panels that deliver DC voltage, directly powering a DC energy storage element capable of directly powering a DC motor with a rated voltage in the order of 12V, and mechanically coupled to the closing or shading component. The system can then operate completely autonomously, without the need to install or remove cables, and without requiring a connection to a public power grid.

[0004] For example, document WO 2018 / 216023A1 describes a device for driving a shading component in a building using a solar power source consisting of photovoltaic panels that themselves form the shading component. The photovoltaic panels deliver DC voltage to a battery. A control circuit controls the operation of a motor used to drive the shading component. This document does not describe the use of an AC motor. The device also includes a DC-AC converter that converts electrical energy from a DC output voltage with energy storage elements into electrical energy with an AC voltage available at the output terminals for powering various conventional AC devices. This document does not describe using a DC-AC converter to power a motor. This device could be suitable for driving low-quality shading components.

[0005] However, if a larger mass needs to be moved, such as for a large louver or garage door, the required drive torque can be much greater, typically exceeding 10 Nm. An AC motor is then used, operating at a standard 230V power supply voltage provided by the public power distribution network. The system cannot then operate entirely autonomously, and it requires the installation of power cables. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem addressed by this invention relates to the design of an improved device for driving closing or shading components in a building by means of a solar power source, which on the one hand can mechanically drive all types of closing or shading components by means of a driving torque of sufficient strength, and on the other hand can operate completely autonomously by using solar energy alone.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to use an AC motor with a rated voltage of 230V as the drive device in order to benefit from a wider range of control protocols covering the entire market, lower cost compared to an equivalent power DC motor, and better reliability due to the absence of internal friction components. The problem then involves powering this 230V AC motor from a solar power source that delivers low-voltage DC power, wherein the power supply assembly must be small enough to be housed within the motor housing for shading or shutting off components.

[0008] To achieve these and other objectives, the present invention provides an apparatus for actuating closing or blocking components in a building, the apparatus comprising:

[0009] - At least one motor, which is mechanically connected to the closing or blocking component;

[0010] - DC energy storage device components;

[0011] - Solar power supply that transmits DC voltage;

[0012] - A DC-AC converter that converts electrical energy having a DC output voltage of the energy storage element into electrical energy having an AC output voltage.

[0013] in:

[0014] - The motor is a low-voltage AC motor with an effective voltage in the range of 50V to 1,000V;

[0015] - The solar power supply delivers a DC voltage lower than the effective voltage of the motor;

[0016] - The energy storage element has a rated voltage that is lower than the effective voltage and greater than the DC voltage delivered by the solar energy;

[0017] - A DC-DC charger that converts the output electrical energy of the solar power source into electrical energy having the recharge voltage of the DC energy storage element;

[0018] The DC-AC converter supplies power to the AC motor.

[0019] Advantageously, the effective voltage of the motor is approximately 230V. This allows for the use of motors that are most common and mass-produced in the field of large shielding or closing components at a lower cost.

[0020] According to another aspect, the object of the present invention is to maximize the efficiency of the device so as to provide sufficient energy autonomy within a volume limited by the permissible space of the device, thereby driving the shutdown component even in the case of low solar radiation and / or small solar panels that generate solar electric energy.

[0021] To achieve these and other objectives, it is advantageous to envision that the rated voltage of the energy storage device is in the range of approximately 24V to 30V, thus providing a good trade-off that optimizes the efficiency of the electronic circuitry that, on the one hand, converts the DC power from the solar power source into DC power delivered to the energy storage device, and on the other hand, converts the DC power from the energy storage device into AC power delivered to the AC motor.

[0022] Furthermore, to optimize energy efficiency, it is advantageous to envision that the DC-DC charger is controlled by a control circuit that regulates the voltage and current extracted from the solar power source to keep it as close as possible to the maximum power point of the solar power source.

[0023] Furthermore, in order to optimize energy efficiency and also to reduce the size of the device to allow it to be incorporated into commonly used motor housings, the DC-AC converter can advantageously be configured as a converter with two successive stages, including a first stage in the form of a boost DC-DC converter that converts the DC voltage of the energy storage element into a DC output voltage that is at least equal to the peak voltage of the wave that supplies power to the motor, and a second stage that converts the DC output voltage of the first stage into a sinusoidal AC voltage with appropriate shape and amplitude to supply power to the motor, such that the second stage supplies power to the motor.

[0024] The first stage may include an H-bridge of electronic switches with inputs at the terminals of the energy storage element and junctions supplying power to the primary winding of a step-up transformer, the secondary winding of which supplies power to a rectifier element providing the DC output voltage. The step-up transformer may be a planar transformer capable of operating at high frequencies, thus reducing its size and increasing its efficiency. Operation at 50 kHz may be advantageous to minimize losses in the transformer and electronic switches.

[0025] The second stage may include an H-bridge of electronic switches with inputs at the terminals of rectifier elements, the junctions of which supply power to the motor via a low-pass filter. The electronic switches are controlled by a microcontroller programmed to perform bipolar pulse width modulation to generate an output voltage with variable duty cycle slots, which, after being filtered by the low-pass filter, supplies power to the motor as a substantially sinusoidal single-phase voltage.

[0026] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a closing or blocking component in a building, which is provided with the drive device as defined above. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of specific embodiments provided with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which shows the main components of the device;

[0029] Figure 2 This is an electrical diagram of a DC-DC charger according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is used to supply power from a solar power source to a DC energy storage device.

[0030] Figure 3 This is an electrical diagram of a boost DC-DC converter according to an embodiment of the present invention, which completes the first stage of a DC-AC converter;

[0031] Figure 4 This is an electrical diagram of the second stage of a DC-AC converter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a timing diagram showing the bipolar pulse width modulation waveform of the output voltage of a DC-AC converter supplying power to an AC motor; and

[0033] Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the positioning of the solar power source and all electronic circuitry according to the invention within the motor housing, the electronic circuitry being used to supply power to the motor for driving the closing or blocking components. Detailed Implementation

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the device according to the present invention generally includes a solar power source 1, an energy storage device 2, and an AC motor 3.

[0035] Solar power source 1 is in the form of photovoltaic solar panels that directly transfer energy in the form of electricity. The output voltage of solar power source 1 is in the range of approximately 12 to 18 V, which is the typical range of output voltage for photovoltaic solar panels. The output power of the photovoltaic panel must be as high as possible relative to the low surface area allocated to it. A typical power output with a peak value of approximately 5 or 6 W may be suitable. Therefore, the technology used for the photovoltaic panel must be quite efficient, such as monocrystalline or polycrystalline types.

[0036] The AC motor 3 is a type that can be powered by a single-phase voltage, which is effective in the range of 50 to 1,000 volts, advantageously about 230V, and is capable of delivering a rated torque of 10Nm to 80Nm, for example, a rated torque of about 50Nm.

[0037] The rated voltage of the energy storage element 2 is in the range of approximately 24 to 30V, thus forming an intermediate voltage between the rated voltage supplied by the solar power source 1 and the rated power supply voltage of the motor 3, allowing for easier achievement of the voltage required to operate the motor 3. In practice, the energy storage element 2 is a battery pack connected in series. Each storage unit is a lithium-ion battery with a rated voltage of 3.6V and a unit capacity of at least 2,600 mAh. Therefore, the energy storage element 2 can be made, for example, by placing 8 × 3.6V batteries in series.

[0038] In order to allow the energy storage element 2 to be recharged from the solar power source 1, which has a lower rated voltage of about 12 to 18V, at a rated voltage ranging from about 24 to 30 volts, a DC-DC charger 4 is inserted between the solar power source 1 and the energy storage element 2. The DC-DC charger converts the low output voltage energy of the solar power source 1 into energy for recharging the energy storage element 2.

[0039] In order for the motor 3 to be powered by the energy storage element 2 with a DC rated voltage of about 24 to 30V at a single-phase AC voltage of about 230V, a DC-AC converter 5 with two stages 5a and 5b is inserted between the energy storage element 2 and the motor 3. The DC-AC converter converts the DC output voltage energy of the energy storage element 2 into energy with an AC output voltage that can power the AC motor 3.

[0040] The input terminals 50 and 51 of the DC-AC converter 5 are connected to the terminals 42 and 43 of the energy storage element 2, while the output terminals 52 and 53 are connected to the AC motor 3.

[0041] Radio receiver 6 receives radio control signal 7 transmitted by remote transmitter 8 to control the start of motor 3. Radio control signal 7 is in the form of frames of tens of milliseconds and contains rotation direction information. Upon receiving radio control signal 7, radio receiver 6 sends a corresponding command 60 to DC-AC converter 5 to supply power to motor 3, which actuates the closing or blocking component 9 in the appropriate direction.

[0042] Now refer to Figure 2 This illustrates an embodiment of the invention, a DC-DC charger 4 used to supply power from a solar power source 1 to a DC energy storage element 2.

[0043] In this embodiment, the DC-DC charger 4 is a parallel chopper-type boost converter, with its input terminals 40 and 41 connected to the solar power source 1, and its output terminals 42 and 43 connected to the energy storage element 2. The DC-DC charger 4 includes a MOSFET (Insulated Gate Field Effect Transistor) type electronic switch 44, which is controlled by a control circuit including a microcontroller 47b and a shaping circuit 47a. The source-drain circuit of the electronic switch 44 is connected in series with an inductor 45 to the input terminals 40 and 41, and its gate 46 receives a pulse control signal generated by the microcontroller 47b through the shaping circuit 47a. A capacitor 48 is connected to the output terminals 42 and 43, and a Schottky diode 49 is connected between the electronic switch 44 and the capacitor 48.

[0044] The microcontroller 47b includes a recorded program by which it scans voltage information at input terminals 40 and 41, scans current information transmitted by the solar power source 1, and controls the switching of the electronic switch 44 to maintain the circuit as close as possible to the maximum power point of the solar power source 1, which is close to 80% of the maximum voltage transmitted by the solar power source 1. This program can be of the type commonly referred to as MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking), which is well known to those skilled in the art when using solar panels.

[0045] The microcontroller 47b is also programmed to maintain the battery's recharge voltage at a good level at all times, while limiting the current if necessary, especially when the recharge exceeds 80% of the full charge of the battery forming the energy storage element 2.

[0046] The microcontroller 47b can also be programmed to balance the charge of the battery connected in series in the energy storage element 2 by controlling the transistor associated with the resistor, which releases excess energy from the battery when necessary.

[0047] Now refer to Figure 3 and 4 It shows an inventive embodiment of a DC-AC converter 5 for supplying power from DC voltage electrical energy delivered by an electrical energy storage element 2 to an AC motor 3.

[0048] Figure 3 The first stage 5a of the DC-AC converter 5 is shown, which implements the function of a boost DC-DC converter to convert the relatively low DC voltage of the energy storage element 2 into a DC voltage with a sufficiently high value, at least equal to the peak voltage of the final AC voltage wave intended to power the AC motor 3.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment—which can be chosen for efficiency—the first stage 5a essentially comprises an H-bridge of four electronic switches 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d, each of which is advantageously a MOSFET (Insulated Gate Field Effect Transistor). Electronic switches 52a and 52b are both connected in series between input terminals 50 and 51, and their connection point 55a is connected to the first terminal of the primary coil of the step-up transformer 54. Similarly, electronic switches 52c and 52d are both connected in series between input terminals 50 and 51, and their connection point 55b is connected to the second terminal of the primary coil of the step-up transformer 54.

[0050] The gates of electronic switches 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d receive pulse control signals generated by microcontroller 58 at its outputs 58a and 58b via shaping circuits 56 and 57. Microcontroller 58 is programmed to successively control the conduction of electronic switches 52a and 52d via its output 58a, and then control the conduction of electronic switches 52b and 52c via its output 58b, thereby generating a square wave power supply with a 1 / 1 duty cycle on the primary side of transformer 54.

[0051] The secondary coil of the step-up transformer 54 is connected to the input of the rectifier element 59, which in the illustrated embodiment is a rectifier bridge consisting of four diodes 59a, 59b, 59c and 59d, and is associated with one or more filter capacitors 59e to generate rectified and filtered voltages at the output terminals 59f and 59g.

[0052] The step-up transformer 54 is a high-frequency transformer, advantageously planar in design, capable of operating at high frequencies, such as approximately 50 kHz. This allows for sufficient power transfer using a small and compact transformer. In this planar transformer, the primary and secondary windings can each be constructed from a stack of flat primary coils, each comprising one or more copper layers electrically isolated from each other, the ends of which are electrically connected, while the magnetic route consists of an assembled ferrite core. Examples of such planar transformers are described, for example, in documents EP 3300090A1 or US 7,663,460B2. As an example, good results can be obtained by using the TP32D2402 reference planar transformer manufactured and sold by the Chinese company Shaanxi Jinshi Electronics Co., Ltd.

[0053] Electronic switches 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d operate at relatively low voltages, with peak voltages equal to the DC voltage of energy storage element 2, approximately 24V to 30V. To generate the power required to supply motor 3, the current transmitted must be quite high, necessitating the use of field-effect transistors with very good on-state characteristics. Furthermore, these electronic switches must have a switching speed less than or equal to the natural decrease in current during switching to avoid unnecessarily dissipating too much energy during switching.

[0054] Now for reference Figure 4 The diagram illustrates the second stage 5b of the DC-AC converter 5. This second stage converts the DC output voltage of the first stage 5a into a sinusoidal AC voltage capable of powering the motor 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the second stage 5b is in the form of an H-bridge consisting of four electronic switches 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d, each advantageously a MOSFET (Insulated Gate Field Effect Transistor). Electronic switches 15a and 15b are connected in series between input terminals 59f and 59g, and their connection point 15e is connected to the first output terminal 52 via a low-pass filter 15. Similarly, electronic switches 15c and 15d are connected in series between input terminals 59f and 59g, and their connection point 15f is connected to the second output terminal 53 via the same low-pass filter 15.

[0055] The gates of electronic switches 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d receive pulse control signals generated by microcontroller 15g at their respective outputs. Microcontroller 15g is programmed to sequentially control the conduction of electronic switches 15a and 15d to generate a positive pulse 11a as an output, then the conduction of electronic switches 15b and 15c to generate a negative pulse 11b as an output, and so on. Bipolar pulse width modulation generates an output voltage 11 with a variable duty cycle at connection points 15e and 15f, as shown... Figure 5 As shown.

[0056] The low-pass filter 15 may include, for example, a first inductor 15h connected in series between connection point 15e and output terminal 52, a second inductor 15i connected in series between connection point 15f and output terminal 53, and a capacitor 15j between output terminals 52 and 53. At the output of the filter 15, the voltage applied to the motor 3 approximates a sine curve, such as... Figure 5 As shown in curve 12.

[0057] Figure 6The motor housing 70 for shielding or closing components is shown, the position of the solar power supply 1 on the surface of the motor housing 70 is shown, and the position of the electronic assembly 71, which consists of an energy storage element and the various electronic circuits described above, allows the AC motor to be powered and controlled at a rated voltage of 230V to drive the shielding or closing components.

[0058] Due to the aforementioned technical choices, the electronic component 71 is particularly compact, occupying a volume that is essentially a parallelepiped, with a length L less than or equal to 350 mm, a height H of approximately 70 mm, and a depth P of approximately 20 mm.

[0059] This allows the electronic component 71 to be housed within the motor housing 70 and positioned adjacent to the solar power source 1, which itself is located on the surface of the motor housing 70.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments already explicitly described, but includes various alternative embodiments and generalizations contained within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A drive device for a closing or screening member (9) in a building, comprising: - at least one electric motor (3) mechanically coupled to the closing or screening member (9); - a direct current energy storage element (2); - a solar power source (1) delivering a direct current voltage; - a DC-AC converter (5) converting the electric energy with a direct current output voltage of the energy storage element (2) into electric energy with an alternating current output voltage; characterized in that: - the electric motor (3) is a low voltage alternating current motor with an effective voltage in the range between 50 V and 1,000 V; - the solar power source (1) delivers a direct current voltage lower than the effective voltage of the electric motor (3); - the energy storage element (2) has a nominal voltage lower than the effective voltage and greater than the direct current voltage delivered by the solar power source (1); - a DC-DC charger (4) converting the output electric energy of the solar power source (1) into electric energy with a recharge voltage of the direct current energy storage element (2); - the DC-AC converter (5) supplies the alternating current motor (3).

2. The drive apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by The effective voltage of the electric motor (3) is 230 V.

3. The drive apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, The output voltage of the solar power source (1) is in the range between 12 V and 18 V.

4. The drive apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by The nominal voltage of the energy storage element (2) is in the range between 24 V and 30 V.

5. The drive apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by The DC-DC charger (4) is controlled by a control circuit (47a, 47b) which regulates the voltage and the current extracted from the solar power source (1) in order to keep as close as possible to the maximum power point of the solar power source (1).

6. The drive apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by The DC-AC converter (5) is a converter with two successive stages, comprising a first stage (5a) in the form of a boost DC-DC converter which converts the direct current voltage of the energy storage element (2) into a direct current output voltage at least equal to the peak voltage of the wave of the final voltage used to supply the electric motor (3), and a second stage (5b) which converts the direct current output voltage of the first stage (5a) into a sinusoidal alternating current voltage capable of supplying the electric motor (3).

7. The drive apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by The first stage (5a) comprises a first H-bridge of first electronic switches (52a, 52b, 52c, 52d) whose input points (50, 51) are at the terminals of the energy storage element (2) and whose junction points (55a, 55b) supply the primary side of a boost transformer (54) whose secondary side supplies a rectifier element (59) which provides the direct current output voltage.

8. The drive apparatus according to claim 7, characterized by The boost transformer (54) is a planar transformer capable of operating at high frequency.

9. The drive apparatus according to claim 8, characterized by The first H-bridge of the first stage (5a) works at a frequency of 50 kHz.

10. The drive apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by The second stage (5b) comprises a second H-bridge of second electronic switches (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) whose input points (59f, 59g) are at the terminals of the rectifier element (59), whose junction points (15e, 15f) supply the motor (3) through a low-pass filter (15), said second electronic switches (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) being controlled by a microcontroller (15g) programmed to perform bipolar pulse width modulation in order to generate at the junction points (15e, 15f) of the second H-bridge an output voltage (11) with variable duty cycle time slots which, after being filtered by the low-pass filter (15), supply the motor (3) with a substantially sinusoidal single-phase voltage (12).

11. A closing or screening member in a building, provided with a drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images