Electronic regulating device for a fireplace with under-burning

Abstract

The invention relates to a device which functions without operator intervention, without delay, is capable without grid connection and meets the regulatory requirements regarding permissible emissions of harmful substances. The device comprises a controller which is electrically connected to two temperature sensors and a door contact switch and via an electric motor and a transmission element manipulates an actuating mechanism. The temperature detection in the smoke outlet takes place after the outlet of the respective combustion chamber. The temperature sensors detect the temperature change over time and the speed of the temperature change. A target / actual temperature evaluation serves to obtain the combustion state of the solid fuel. The degree of the gas release process is determined by detecting and evaluating the temperature rise or temperature drop over time. As an adaptive system, the target / actual temperature over time is compared with a comparison value for optimizing the combustion. The respective properties of the solid fuel are thus taken into account for the optimized combustion process, and the necessity of reloading the solid fuel is determined via a program and is displayed via an optical signal generator. The device is used for the electronic regulation of a fireplace with lower combustion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic control device for a low-emission wood block fireplace having two stacked combustion chambers employing an optimized bottom combustion principle. Background Technology

[0002] Various types of devices exist for regulating air supply to optimize the combustion of solid fuels. DE20200311U1 discloses a low-emission wood block fireplace with an optimized bottom combustion principle. This fireplace has two stacked combustion chambers separated by a combustion carrier / grate serving as a support for solid fuel, wherein the lower combustion chamber functions as an afterburner and ash bin. A handle is used to regulate combustion, actuating a venting device to direct combustion gases generated during combustion of solid fuel in the first upper combustion chamber into the second lower combustion chamber, achieving the lowest possible emissions and most efficient combustion. Venting is then carried out through an opening located in the lower combustion chamber.

[0003] This type of adjustment has the following disadvantages: all operations of the sealing device are based on the operator's subjective judgment, past experience, and intuition. Manual adjustment is very time-consuming because corrections must be made again and again according to the combustion conditions. Since the operator cannot know the temperature in the exhaust section, the operation of the sealing device cannot be optimized. Temperature detection is required to open or close the sealing device at the optimal time or to determine the optimal time for adding solid fuel.

[0004] Furthermore, the regulation of low-emission wood block fireplaces with optimized bottom combustion principles is known when using a hot bimetallic element to operate the shut-off device. The supply of fresh air is regulated according to the temperature around the hot bimetallic element. A drawback here is that if the hot bimetallic element closes the shut-off device and the temperature drops too much during further processing, for example due to different installation site conditions and / or the properties of the solid fuel (block size, moisture content, etc.), the shut-off device can only be opened after the hot bimetallic element has cooled down. During the cooling time, poor combustion occurs with increased emissions of harmful substances. Therefore, optimized low-emission combustion cannot be achieved.

[0005] Regulating combustion air supply using a lambda detector is known to those skilled in the art. This principle is commonly used in central heating boilers and wood gasification furnaces. Here, a lambda detector continuously measures the oxygen content in the combustion chamber or the residual oxygen content in the exhaust gas and compares it to the oxygen content of the air surrounding the boiler. The signal from the lambda detector can then be used to determine the required speed of the fan to regulate the combustion air supply. The disadvantages are: the need for an electrical connection, high purchase cost, and time-consuming installation.

[0006] It is becoming increasingly important to adapt and optimize the combustion processes using solid fuels to ecological requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The objective of this invention is to provide a simple solution in construction and manufacture for an electronically controlled regulating device for a low-emission wood block fireplace having two overlapping combustion chambers employing an optimized underburning principle. The electronic regulating device reliably, precisely, independently, and without operator intervention, regulates the individual characteristics of the fireplace through a freely parameterizable program of the controller, thus meeting the latest requirements of combustion regulations for reducing harmful emissions and other requirements for obtaining the Blue Angel quality mark, while eliminating the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0008] According to the present invention, this task is achieved by the following electronic control device for a low-emission wood block fireplace, comprising: two stacked combustion chambers, each combustion chamber being separated by a support for solid fuel; an outlet leading to a lower combustion chamber; a smoke exhaust section; an outlet in the upper combustion chamber leading to the smoke exhaust section, the outlet having a valve capable of closing the outlet; an outlet in the lower combustion chamber leading to the smoke exhaust section; a combustion chamber door having a door lock / handle and a door contact switch, characterized in that a controller (control device) is provided, the controller being electrically connected to at least two temperature sensors and the door contact switch, the controller controlling an electric motor, the electric motor controlling at least one actuator (valve) via a transmission element, wherein the smoke exhaust section is controlled at least after the outlet of the respective combustion chamber by the temperature sensors. Temperature detection involves a temperature sensor detecting temperature changes over time and the rate of temperature change. A target / actual temperature evaluation performed by a controller (control device) over a parameterizable time period serves as an evaluation criterion for the combustion state of solid fuels. The degree of gas release (size and / or moisture content of solid fuels) is detected by detecting and evaluating temperature increases or decreases over time. As an adaptive system, the target / actual temperature over time is compared with comparison values ​​stored in the program for optimized combustion. This takes into account the corresponding properties of the solid fuel (moisture content, wood type, block size, etc.) for optimized combustion. The program determines the necessity of reloading solid fuels, and this necessity is displayed via an optical signal generator that is easily visible to the user.

[0009] Therefore, a solution was found that eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks of the existing technology.

[0010] Thus, what proves to be an advantageous design of the present invention is that, due to the use of an electric drive (electric motor), the actuator, i.e., the opening or closing process of the valve, triggered by the controller, can occur with almost no delay.

[0011] Another advantageous design of the device is that the electric actuator (electric motor) is selectively connected to the actuator, i.e., the valve, either via a transmission element or directly.

[0012] Another possible design is to be able to selectively adjust between battery operation and grid operation.

[0013] Another advantageous design solution is achieved by emitting signals indicating the operating status of "adjustment operation", "addition" or "fault" in their own color scheme via a single optical signal generator.

[0014] An additional design option is to obtain, for traceability, the number of operating hours, operating status, minimum temperature and maximum temperature in the non-erasable memory of the controller, and if possible, to clarify warranty claims. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The exemplary design of the device according to the present invention will be described in more detail below with the aid of embodiments. In the accompanying drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 The device according to the invention is shown as an exemplary component attached to a fireplace with an optimized lower combustion principle, wherein the actuator, i.e., the valve 5, is closed (before operation begins).

[0017] Figure 2 The device according to the invention is shown as an exemplary component attached to a fireplace with an optimized lower combustion principle, wherein the actuator, i.e., the valve 5, is open (heating phase).

[0018] Figure 3 The device according to the invention is shown as an exemplary component mounted on a fireplace with an optimized lower combustion principle, wherein the actuator, i.e., the valve 5, is closed (adjustment mode / burnout).

[0019] Figure 4 A flowchart of the control procedure of the device according to the invention during the heating phase is shown.

[0020] Figure 5 The diagram shows the control program flowchart of the device according to the invention in the adjustment mode.

[0021] Figure 6 The diagram shows a control program flowchart of the device according to the invention in the addition mode.

[0022] Figure 7A flowchart of the control procedure of the device according to the invention during burnout is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0023] exist Figure 1 The diagram illustrates an exemplary configuration including the device according to the invention, preferably designed for a low-emission wood block fireplace (1) having two overlapping combustion chambers employing an optimized underburning principle. The device according to the invention enables operation and monitoring of the solid fuel combustion process by controlling the supply of combustion air. User operation is limited to supplying solid fuel and ignition.

[0024] In this example, the fireplace 1 includes an upper combustion chamber 2 and a lower combustion chamber 3, separated by a support 19 for solid fuel. The support has an outlet 4 leading to the lower combustion chamber 3. Outlets 5 and 8 leading to the exhaust 7 are respectively provided in the upper combustion chamber 2 and the lower combustion chamber 3.

[0025] A valve 5, acting as an actuator, is provided in the upper combustion chamber 2. This valve can close the outlet 6 leading to the exhaust section 7 when necessary. Figure 1 As shown in the diagram. The opening and closing of valve 5 is driven by electric motor 12 via transmission element 11. Electric motor is electrically connected to controller 13. Both combustion chambers 2 and 3 are sealed with combustion chamber doors 9 relative to the surrounding mounting space by means of door locking elements (handles) 10. To obtain information about the closure of combustion chamber doors 9, door contact switches 14 are provided. Door contact switches 14 are electrically connected to controller 13. Temperature sensors 17 and 18, required for controlling combustion air, are located in the exhaust section 7 after the corresponding outlets 6 and 8 of the two combustion chambers 2 and 3 leading to the exhaust section and are electrically connected to controller 13. Suitablely, in a location of the fireplace that is easily visible to the operator, such as... Figure 1 In the front region shown, an optical signal generator 16 is provided as a display for requesting the addition of solid fuel, displaying the operating status of the regulated operation, or issuing a signal indicating a fault. The signal generator is also connected to the controller 13.

[0026] The operation of the low-emission wood block fireplace 1, which has two stacked combustion chambers 2 and 3 employing an optimized lower combustion principle, is known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, a more detailed description and explanation of the details is omitted in this embodiment.

[0027] The description of the function of the device according to the invention follows the various stages or modes of the combustion process. Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The flowchart shown is used to illustrate the various method steps identified by the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Heating stage (process flowchart) Figure 4 )

[0029] The current required by the controller 13 is supplied via a battery-operated voltage source 15. Alternatively, a power grid connection can also be used as the voltage source 15. When voltage is applied to the controller 13 either by inserting a battery into the voltage source or via the power grid connection, a reference run is performed by the electric motor 12 to locate the position of the actuator, i.e., the valve 5, and to check its function. The controller 13 is now ready for operation in standby mode (method step 14A). As the combustion chamber door 9 of the fireplace 1 is opened for the first time in a cold state, the controller is activated from standby mode via the door contact switch 14 (method step 14B), and the actuator, i.e., the valve 5, is switched to the open position via the electric motor 12 and the transmission element 11. Figure 2 (Method step 5A). Now, solid fuel 20 is placed on the support 19 of fireplace 1 and ignited in a suitable manner. In order to achieve an optimized switching point for the heating phase—the closing of the actuator, i.e., the valve 5—and to make it reproducible, after the signal is output to the controller 13 via the door contact switch 14 by closing the combustion chamber door 9 by means of the door lock 10 (method step 14C), regulation begins and the temperature rises above 50°C. Simultaneously with the activation of the controller 13, temperature sensors 17 and 18 continuously measure the present temperature. After the temperature reaches 50°C—measured by temperature sensor 17 after exiting the exhaust 6 to the smoke exhaust section 7—(method step 17A), the waiting time t is activated by the controller 13. w1 (seconds) (method step 13A) and measure the exhaust gas temperature T by temperature sensor 17 in exhaust section 7. A (°C). During the waiting time t w1 (seconds) have passed and the flue gas temperature T specified in the procedure has been exceeded. A (°C) (Method step 17B) After this, the actuator, i.e., valve 5, is closed by means of electric motor 12 and transmission element 11 (Method step 5B), and the combustion gas is guided through outlet 4 into the lower combustion chamber 3, as follows. Figure 3 As shown in the diagram. After the switch, the temperature T for the gas release process. AU The temperature (°C) may not be high enough, or the fireplace may not be heated properly. As a result, the charcoal gas cannot burn properly. Temperature sensor 17 detects this sharp drop in flue gas temperature and, via a control command from controller 13 (method step 17C), opens the actuator, i.e., valve 5, by means of electric motor 12 and transmission element 11 (method step 5A). Controller 13 then reactivates the waiting time t. w2(seconds) (method step 13B) and the exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust section 7 is measured by the temperature sensor 17 until the preset temperature T is reached again. Soll (°C). This process is repeated in a controlled manner by controller 13 until stable combustion is achieved. Now switch to regulation mode.

[0030] Adjustment mode (program flowchart) Figure 6 )

[0031] After stable combustion is achieved, the maximum temperature T is identified by temperature sensor 18. AU max (Method step 18A) In the lower combustion chamber 3, the temperature is lower than the specified temperature corridor (T). AU max After the value of the tolerance is evaluated in controller 13 (method step 18B), the reloading signal is activated (method step 18C), and a signal is emitted through optical display 16, which displays to the operator the correct time for addition (method step 16A). Due to the different amounts of solid fuel 20 reloaded, the temperature corridor (T) AU max - Tolerances) are determined in terms of their extension, but temperature levels (T) N No, the temperature level is identified and determined by controller 13 after each addition.

[0032] Add mode (program flowchart, Figure 5 )

[0033] To perform the addition, the combustion chamber door 9 is opened by manipulating the door locking element 10 and the door contact switch 14 is operated, sending a signal to the controller 13 (method step 14D). The controller then operates the electric motor 12 and opens the actuator, i.e., the valve 5, via the transmission element 11 (method step 5A). After the door closes (method step 14C), a parameterized waiting time t is activated. w3 (seconds) (method step 13C), and the exhaust gas temperature is measured by the temperature sensor 17 in the exhaust section 7 (method step 17D). During the waiting time t... w3 (seconds) have passed and the flue gas temperature T specified in the procedure has been exceeded. A After (°C), the actuator, i.e., valve 5, is closed by known actuators 11 and 12 (method step 5B), and the combustion gases are guided through outlet 4 into the lower combustion chamber 3. After the switch, the temperature T AU (°C) – for example, due to the wood block being too large or the wood being too wet – may not be sufficient for the gas release process. In this case, the flue gas temperature drops sharply, measured by temperature sensor 17 and identified by controller 13 (method step 17E), and the actuator, i.e., valve 5, opens (method step 5A). This reactivates the parameterized waiting time t. w4(seconds) (method step 13D) and measure the exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust section 7 using temperature sensor 17 until the preset temperature T is reached again. soll (°C). This process is repeated in a controlled manner by controller 13 until stable combustion is achieved.

[0034] Burnout (process flowchart) Figure 7 )

[0035] If the exhaust gas temperature T is measured by temperature sensor 17 A (°C) drops to the specified value T A Soll If no further additions are made (method step 17F), the actuator, i.e., valve 5, is opened (method step 5A). The remaining solid fuel 20 is completely burned, and the fireplace cools down. If the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 17 in the exhaust section 7 drops below 50°C, the controller 13 is deactivated and enters standby mode.

[0036] The apparatus according to the invention is of course not limited to the embodiments shown. Rather, changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0037] List of reference numerals

[0038] 1 fireplace;

[0039] 2. The upper combustion chamber;

[0040] 3. The lower combustion chamber;

[0041] 4. Outlets (leading to the lower combustion chamber);

[0042] 5. Actuating mechanism, valve;

[0043] 6. The upper outlet (leading to the smoke exhaust section);

[0044] 7. Smoke exhaust section;

[0045] 8. The lower outlet (leading to the smoke exhaust section);

[0046] 9. Combustion chamber doors;

[0047] 10 door locking components (handles);

[0048] 11. Transmission element (to actuator, i.e., valve (5));

[0049] 12 electric motors;

[0050] 13. Controller (control device);

[0051] 14-door contact switch;

[0052] 15 voltage sources;

[0053] 16 Optical signal generators;

[0054] 17 Temperature sensor (upper combustion chamber);

[0055] 18 temperature sensors (lower combustion chamber);

[0056] 19 Support components for solid fuels;

[0057] 20 Solid fuels;

[0058] 5A opens the valve 5;

[0059] 5B closes valve 5;

[0060] 13A Waiting Time t w1；

[0061] 13B Waiting time t w2；

[0062] 13C waiting time t w3；

[0063] 13D waiting time t w4；

[0064] 14A combustion chamber door 4 has been opened from standby mode;

[0065] Combustion chamber door 4 of 14B has been opened;

[0066] 14C combustion chamber door 4 has been closed;

[0067] 14D combustion chamber door 4 has been opened from adjustment or add mode;

[0068] The 16A optical signal generator 16 displays the addition;

[0069] 17A temperature sensor 17, upper combustion chamber 2, T A > 50°C;

[0070] 17B temperature sensor 17, upper combustion chamber 2, during the heating stage T A > T ASoll；

[0071] The temperature drop dT in the upper combustion chamber 2 during the heating phase of 17C A Too large;

[0072] 17D temperature sensor 17, in add mode T A > T ASoll；

[0073] The temperature drop dT in the upper combustion chamber 2 of 17E in burnout modeA Too large;

[0074] 17F temperature sensor 17, in burnout mode T A < 50°C;

[0075] Temperature sensor 18A determines the highest temperature T in the lower combustion chamber 3. AU；

[0076] The highest temperature T in the combustion chamber 3 of the lower part of the 18B storage unit AU；

[0077] 18C temperature sensor 18 waits until temperature T AU It drops below the tolerance limit.

Claims

1. An electronic control device for a fireplace with underburner, the fireplace comprising: Two stacked combustion chambers, each separated by a support (19) for solid fuel; an outlet leading to the lower combustion chamber (3); an exhaust section (7); an outlet in the upper combustion chamber (2) leading to the exhaust section (7), the outlet having an actuator capable of closing the outlet; an outlet in the lower combustion chamber (3) leading to the exhaust section (7); a combustion chamber door (9) having a door lock or handle and a door contact switch (14), characterized in that, • A controller (13) is provided, which is electrically connected to at least two temperature sensors (17; 18) and a door contact switch (14). The controller operates an electric actuator (12), which manipulates at least one actuator via a transmission element (11). • Temperature detection in the exhaust section (7) is performed at least separately using temperature sensors after the outlet of the respective combustion chamber. • Temperature sensors detect temperature changes over time. • The temperature sensor detects the rate of temperature change. • The target / actual temperature evaluation performed by the controller (13) over a parameterized time period is used as an evaluation criterion for the combustion state of the solid fuel (20). • The extent of gas release is detected by measuring and evaluating the temperature rise or fall over time. • As an adaptive system, the target / actual temperature over time is compared with comparison values ​​stored in the program for combustion optimization, thereby taking into account the corresponding properties of the solid fuel (20) for the optimized combustion process. • The necessity of reloading solid fuel (20) is determined by a program and displayed via an optical signal generator (16) that is easily visible to the user.

2. The electronic regulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Because of the use of an electric drive (12), the opening or closing process of the actuator triggered by the controller (13) can occur without delay.

3. The electronic adjustment device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electric drive (12) is selectively connected to the actuator via the transmission element (11) or directly.

4. The electronic regulating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, It can selectively adjust between battery operation and grid operation.

5. The electronic regulating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Each optical signal generator (16) emits a signal indicating the operating status as "adjustment operation", "addition" or "fault" in its own color scheme.

6. The electronic regulating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, For traceability, the number of operating hours, operating status, minimum temperature and maximum temperature are obtained via a non-erasable memory in the controller (13).

7. The electronic regulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is a control device.

8. The electronic regulating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The actuator is a valve.

9. The electronic regulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The size and / or moisture content of solid fuel (20) are determined by detecting and evaluating the temperature rise or fall over time.

10. The electronic regulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The corresponding properties of solid fuel (20) are moisture content, wood type, and block size.

11. The electronic regulating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The electric drive is an electric motor.

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