A communication method and device of an intelligent fluid heating system

Abstract

This invention discloses a communication method and device for an intelligent fluid heating system, belonging to the technical field of fluid heating equipment. The method includes: a trigger sensor deployed on the outer wall of the pipe at the water point; upon detecting the hot water activation state, the sensor sends a unique ID signal corresponding to the water point only to the central control unit of the fluid heating system; the central control unit receives the unique ID signal and executes the corresponding heating control command based on the ID signal. This invention achieves multi-point water usage identification in a fluid heating system without wiring through extremely simplified communication logic. The sensor is completely powered off when not triggered, and the energy consumption for a single communication is ≤50μJ. It can achieve maintenance-free operation using a temperature difference self-powered method. This invention does not require modification of the core structure of the fluid heating equipment host, can be directly adapted to new and old models, and completely solves the industry pain points of complex multi-point identification installation and high maintenance costs of traditional fluid heating equipment, possessing strong practicality and large-scale promotion value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 202610244827X, application date March 2, 2026, entitled "A self-powered multi-point identification intelligent fluid heating system with multi-module deep collaboration and its control method". Background Technology

[0002] With increasing user demand for intelligent systems, intelligent fluid heating systems with multi-point water usage identification capabilities are gradually becoming the mainstream in the market. Currently, multi-point water usage identification in fluid heating systems mainly employs two solutions: 1. Wired sensor solution: This requires pre-wiring during the renovation phase, making it impractical for older homes, and resulting in complex and costly construction; 2. Battery-powered wireless sensor solution: The sensor has a built-in battery that needs to be replaced every 1-2 years, leading to high maintenance costs and potential safety hazards from battery leakage. Both solutions have significant drawbacks and fail to meet users' core needs for wiring-free and maintenance-free operation. Furthermore, existing communication solutions are logically complex, resulting in high sensor power consumption and difficulty in achieving self-powered operation, thus limiting their large-scale application in various fluid heating equipment fields. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art and provide a communication method and device for an intelligent fluid heating system that is logically simple, has extremely low power consumption, and can achieve self-powered and maintenance-free operation.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A communication method for an intelligent fluid heating system includes the following steps:

[0006] S1 is a trigger sensor installed on the outer wall of the pipe at the water point. After detecting that the hot water is in use, it sends a unique ID signal corresponding to the water point only to the central control unit of the fluid heating system.

[0007] The S2 central control unit receives the unique ID signal and executes the corresponding heating control command based on the ID signal.

[0008] Furthermore, the trigger sensor is only awakened and sends a signal when it detects that the hot water is in use; it is completely powered off when not triggered, and the energy consumption for a single communication is ≤50μJ.

[0009] Furthermore, the unique ID signal is an encrypted signal, and each trigger sensor corresponds to a unique encryption key. The central control unit only receives and parses the encrypted ID signals of the trigger sensors that have been paired.

[0010] Furthermore, after receiving the unique ID signal, the central control unit performs dual redundancy verification by combining it with the real-time flow data of the fluid heating system host. Once the verification is successful, the heating control command is executed.

[0011] Furthermore, the trigger sensor is a self-powered trigger sensor, which generates electricity by utilizing the temperature difference between the hot water in the pipe and the external environment, without the need for an external power source or a built-in battery.

[0012] Furthermore, the central control unit calls the pre-stored corresponding temperature control model based on the water point type corresponding to the unique ID signal, and controls the operation of the heating components of the fluid heating system.

[0013] The present invention also provides an intelligent fluid heating device for implementing the above-described communication method, comprising:

[0014] At least one distributed trigger sensor is installed on the outer wall of the pipe at each water point to detect the hot water activation status and send a unique ID signal corresponding to the water point.

[0015] The central control unit is wirelessly connected to the distributed trigger sensors and is used to receive unique ID signals and execute corresponding heating control commands.

[0016] Furthermore, the distributed trigger sensor includes an integrated variable diameter snap-fit ​​housing, an NTC thermistor trigger detection unit, a TEG thermoelectric generator unit, a supercapacitor energy storage unit, and a BLE 5.0 low-power wireless communication unit.

[0017] Furthermore, the central control unit is integrated inside the fluid heating equipment host and includes a wireless receiving unit, a data acquisition unit, a scene recognition MCU, and a heating control relay.

[0018] Furthermore, it also includes a user terminal module, which communicates wirelessly with the central control unit in both directions to complete sensor pairing, customize temperature control parameters, and view water consumption data.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0020] 1. The communication logic is extremely simple. The sensor only sends a unique ID signal, with no extra data transmission. The power consumption is extremely low, and it can achieve self-powered operation with temperature difference and maintenance-free operation.

[0021] 2. The sensor adopts an external snap-on installation, which does not require damage to pipes or decorations, and does not require wiring, making it a perfect fit for old house renovation scenarios;

[0022] 3. No modification is required to the core structure of the fluid heating equipment; it can be directly installed on existing new and old models, resulting in low modification costs and easy implementation.

[0023] 4. It adopts encrypted communication and dual redundancy verification mechanism, ensuring stable and reliable communication without false triggering or missed triggering issues;

[0024] 5. The protection scope covers all fluid heating equipment based on water point ID identification, which is the underlying core technology of the intelligent fluid heating system. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 is an overall structural block diagram of the intelligent fluid heating device of the present invention.

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Central control unit; 2. User terminal module; 3. Fluid heating component; 4. Kitchen water point trigger sensor; 5. Shower water point trigger sensor; 6. Washbasin water point trigger sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0028] This embodiment uses a household storage-type electric water heater as an example to provide a detailed description of the communication method and device of the present invention.

[0029] This invention is also applicable to other types of fluid heating equipment such as gas water heaters, air source water heaters, solar water heaters, and commercial hot water units.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, an intelligent fluid heating device includes a central control unit 1, a user terminal module 2, a fluid heating component 3, and distributed trigger sensors 4, 5, and 6 installed in the kitchen, shower room, and washbasin.

[0031] The distributed trigger sensors 4, 5, and 6 are all self-powered trigger sensors, employing a C-type integrated variable-diameter snap-fit ​​housing, which can be directly snapped and fixed to the outer wall of the pipe at the rear end of the faucet at each water point. The sensors integrate an NTC thermistor trigger detection unit, a TEG thermoelectric generator unit, a 0.5F supercapacitor energy storage unit, and a BLE 5.0 low-power wireless communication unit.

[0032] The TEG thermoelectric generator unit has its hot side attached to the outer wall of the pipe and its cold side attached to an aluminum heat sink. It generates electricity using the temperature difference between the hot water inside the pipe and the external environment. The generated electricity is stored in a supercapacitor to power the entire sensor unit. When the pipe temperature rises by ≥8°C within 3 seconds, the NTC thermistor detects the hot water activation status, waking up the wireless communication unit. It then sends a unique encrypted ID signal for that water usage point only to the central control unit 1. After transmission, the sensor immediately enters a deep sleep state, completely de-energized during non-triggered periods. The energy consumption for a single communication is ≤45μJ.

[0033] The central control unit 1 is integrated inside the main unit of the storage-type electric water heater and includes a wireless receiving unit, a data acquisition unit, an STM32L051 scene recognition MCU, and a heating control relay. The wireless receiving unit receives encrypted ID signals sent by sensors, decrypts them, and transmits them to the scene recognition MCU. The data acquisition unit collects real-time data on the water temperature inside the storage-type electric water heater, the inlet water temperature, and the real-time flow rate.

[0034] After receiving the ID signal, the scene recognition MCU first performs dual redundancy verification in conjunction with real-time flow data. After confirming that it is a valid water use trigger, it calls the pre-stored corresponding temperature control model according to the water point type (kitchen, shower room, washbasin) corresponding to the ID, and outputs the control signal to the heating control relay to control the operation of the fluid heating component 3, so as to achieve precise scene-based heating.

[0035] Users can communicate bidirectionally with the central control unit 1 via a mobile APP (user terminal module 2) to complete encrypted pairing of sensors, customize temperature control parameters and maximum water usage time for each water point, and view historical water usage data and energy consumption data.

[0036] The communication method of the intelligent fluid heating system in this embodiment follows the following process:

[0037] 1. When a user turns on a hot water tap at a water point, hot water flows through the pipes, and the temperature of the outer wall of the pipes rises.

[0038] 2. The trigger sensor at the corresponding location detects a temperature change, determines that the hot water is in use, and wakes up the wireless communication unit;

[0039] 3. The sensor sends its unique encrypted ID signal to the central control unit, and immediately enters deep sleep mode after sending the signal;

[0040] 4. The central control unit receives and decrypts the ID signal, and performs dual redundancy verification in conjunction with the host's real-time traffic data;

[0041] 5. After verification, the central control unit calls the corresponding temperature control model according to the water point type corresponding to the ID, and controls the operation of the heating component;

[0042] 6. After the user turns off the hot water tap, the sensor detects a drop in temperature and sends no signal. The central control unit then controls the heating element to stop operating and return to standby mode.

[0043] This invention does not require modification to the core structure of the fluid heating device host and can be directly installed on any existing brand and model of fluid heating device. It enables multi-point intelligent water use identification without wiring or maintenance, greatly improving the intelligence level of the fluid heating system and the user experience.

[0044] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A communication method for an intelligent fluid heating system, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1 is a trigger sensor installed on the outer wall of the pipe at the water point. After detecting that the hot water is in use, it sends a unique ID signal corresponding to the water point only to the central control unit of the fluid heating system. The S2 central control unit receives the unique ID signal and executes the corresponding heating control command based on the ID signal.

2. The communication method of the intelligent fluid heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S1, the trigger sensor is only awakened and sends a signal when it detects that the hot water is in use. In the non-trigger state, it is completely powered off, and the energy consumption for a single communication is ≤50μJ.

3. The communication method of the intelligent fluid heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S1, the unique ID signal is an encrypted signal, and each trigger sensor corresponds to a unique encryption key. The central control unit only receives and parses the encrypted ID signals of the trigger sensors that have been paired.

4. The communication method of the intelligent fluid heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2, after receiving the unique ID signal, the central control unit performs dual redundancy verification in conjunction with the real-time flow data of the fluid heating system host. After the verification is successful, the heating control command is executed.

5. The communication method of the intelligent fluid heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The trigger sensor is a self-powered trigger sensor that generates electricity by utilizing the temperature difference between the hot water in the pipe and the external environment, without the need for an external power source or a built-in battery.

6. The communication method of the intelligent fluid heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2, the central control unit calls the pre-stored corresponding temperature control model based on the water point type corresponding to the unique ID signal to control the operation of the heating components of the fluid heating system.

7. A smart fluid heating device implementing the communication method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, include: At least one distributed trigger sensor is installed on the outer wall of the pipe at each water point to detect the hot water activation status and send a unique ID signal for the corresponding water point. The central control unit is wirelessly connected to the distributed trigger sensors and is used to receive unique ID signals and execute corresponding heating control commands.

8. The intelligent fluid heating device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The distributed trigger sensor includes an integrated variable diameter snap-fit ​​housing, an NTC thermistor trigger detection unit, a TEG thermoelectric generator unit, a supercapacitor energy storage unit, and a BLE 5.0 low-power wireless communication unit.

9. The intelligent fluid heating device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The central control unit is integrated inside the fluid heating equipment host and includes a wireless receiving unit, a data acquisition unit, a scene recognition MCU, and a heating control relay.

10. The intelligent fluid heating device according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a user terminal module, which communicates wirelessly with the central control unit in both directions to complete sensor pairing, customize temperature control parameters, and view water and energy consumption data.

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