Building or construction element with sensor system

Abstract

Detection and charging device (300) for a sensor system (200), wherein the sensor system (200) is at least partially incorporated into a building or construction element (100), characterized in that a detector of the detection and charging device (300) is designed to detect a magnetically or electromagnetically active or reactive component of the sensor system (200), and the charger has an inductive charging interface for charging a power source of the sensor system (200), wherein the sensor system can be located under plaster by the detector, wherein the detection and charging device includes a magnetic holder and wherein the detection and charging device can be held in place at a point on the building or construction element by the magnetic holder.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of automation and, in particular, to a building or construction element comprising a sensor system at least partially integrated therein, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a charging and detection device suitable for detecting and charging such a sensor system. A preferred use of the building or construction element is also specified.

[0002] Building automation, often referred to as "smart home" or "home automation," involves the integration and control of various home devices and systems through networked technologies. The goal is to increase living comfort, improve energy efficiency, and ensure security. Here are the key aspects and components of building automation: Key components and systems include, for example, automatically controlled lighting. Intelligent lighting systems can be automatically switched on and off or dimmed depending on occupancy, time of day, or predefined scenarios. This can be done via voice control and apps, such as voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or smartphone apps.

[0003] Another area of ​​automation concerns heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Smart thermostats can be used, such as devices like the Nest Thermostat, which learn the residents' preferences and automatically adjust the heating and cooling to save energy. Remote control options also exist, allowing the temperature to be regulated remotely via an app.

[0004] Automation also extends to security systems such as surveillance cameras, which enable live monitoring and recording of video footage, often with motion and sound detection. Door and window sensors are also used, which send a notification if a door or window is opened without authorization. Smart locks are electronic locks that can be controlled via apps or codes.

[0005] Automation also affects energy management, such as smart metering, which uses intelligent meters to monitor energy consumption in real time. Corresponding energy management systems optimize energy consumption through intelligent control of devices and systems.

[0006] The entertainment sector is also affected by automation, as seen in multi-room audio systems that allow for the control of music and audio content in different rooms. Smart TVs and streaming devices are integrated into the home network for seamless access to content.

[0007] Household appliances are also becoming increasingly automated, for example, smart kitchen appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers that can be connected to the internet and controlled remotely. Robotic vacuum cleaners and lawnmowers can take over the automatic cleaning and maintenance of floors and gardens.

[0008] The communication protocols typically used are Zigbee (usually the 2.4 GHz band) and Z-Wave (typically the 800-900 MHz band), wireless protocols specifically designed for building automation that offer high interoperability between different devices. Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), a widely used network protocol found in many smart home devices, is also employed. Additionally, Bluetooth, a short-range communication protocol for specific applications such as door locks or lighting, is used.

[0009] Central control systems include smart home hubs, central devices that integrate and control various smart home devices and protocols, such as Samsung SmartThings and Apple HomeKit. Voice assistants like Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomePod serve as control centers for many smart home applications.

[0010] The advantages of all these applications lie in comfort and convenience, for example, in automated routines and scenarios that simplify everyday life, such as a "Good Morning" routine that turns on the lights and starts the coffee machine. Energy savings are also achieved through optimized use of heating and air conditioning systems, lighting, and appliances, reducing energy consumption and costs. Security can be improved through monitoring and notification systems that react in real time. Finally, remote access and control are possible, allowing you to monitor and control your home from afar, which is particularly useful when traveling or away for extended periods.

[0011] All these systems and applications, however, depend on reliable sensors, which in existing buildings must first be retrofitted. This often requires surface mounting of sensors if walls or doors are to be avoided. On the other hand, surface-mounted sensors do not necessarily appeal to the aesthetic sensibilities of those who desire convenient, and often costly, home automation. Flush mounting, however, is complex and also requires the installation of additional power cables to supply the sensors, further increasing both the effort and the cost.

[0012] One object of the present invention is therefore to overcome these problems and to provide a simple system for equipping a building with sensors that is easy and inexpensive to install and operate.

[0013] This problem is solved by a building or construction element with a sensor system at least partially incorporated therein according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises a sensor, a communication interface for wirelessly signaling the physical characteristics of the sensor, a rechargeable power source for supplying the sensor and the communication interface with power, and an induction charging interface for recharging the power source.

[0014] The present invention is based on the premise that the early integration of sensors into a building or construction element represents a particularly simple and cost-effective way to solve automation requirements in building construction. This solves the problem of powering the sensors by means of inductive charging of a power source associated with them. The sensor system according to the invention therefore comprises not only the required sensor, but also a suitable, rechargeable power source for its operation. This is achieved not via an additional and complex power cable, but via an integrated inductive charging interface designed to ensure recharging of the power source even through thick walls. Consequently, the building or construction elements according to the invention can be installed directly during the construction of a building without the need for additional connections.Regular charging can be achieved via inductive energy supply.

[0015] Advantageous further developments of the cooling device according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0016] In a first advantageous embodiment of the building or construction elements according to the invention, the physical parameters include at least one of the following: temperature, humidity, pressure, motion, acceleration, brightness, sound, image, or video sequence. This already covers a whole range of automation applications in the areas of lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, security systems, energy management, entertainment, and household appliances.

[0017] In a second advantageous embodiment of the construction elements according to the invention, it is provided that the communication interface provides at least one of the following connection types: a Bluetooth connection, an NFC (Near Field Communication) connection, a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) connection, an infrared connection, a Zigbee (Standard-Based Wireless Personal Area Network) connection, a Z-Wave connection, an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) connection, or a LiFi (Light Fidelity) connection, which allows for their particularly flexible use.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the construction elements according to the invention, the induction interface supports electromagnetic induction or resonant induction, thus enabling the use of different chargers. A resonant induction system, in particular, can be especially efficient because the transmitter and receiver coils oscillate at the same frequency; at the same time, the possible transmission distance is increased.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the building or construction elements according to the invention, the building element is a concrete, brick, plastic, glass, and / or wood component, and the construction element is a connecting element for one or more of these building elements. In principle, the choice of material for the building or construction element is open, as long as it can at least partially accommodate a sensor system according to the invention. The above selection of elements already demonstrates the flexibility with which the sensor system can be used and thus installed in a wide variety of building types.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the building or construction elements according to the invention, the sensor system comprises a magnetically or electromagnetically active or reactive component for detecting the position of the sensor system, in particular a metal and / or magnetic component and / or an RFID chip. This significantly facilitates the location of the sensor system according to the invention within an already installed building or construction element, particularly for the inductive charging of the power source.

[0021] The above problem is also solved by a detection and charging device for a sensor system according to claim 7, wherein the detector is designed to detect a magnetically or electromagnetically active or reactive component of the sensor system, and the charger has an inductive charging interface for charging the power source of the sensor system.

[0022] In principle, the detection and charging functions can of course be implemented in different devices, allowing the use of commercially available devices. For example, the sensor system could be detectable by a standard concealed metal detector simply because of its integrated metal components. However, the detection and charging device according to the invention integrates both functions, thus enabling particularly easy maintenance of the sensor system. A magnetically active or reactive component is understood to be a magnet (active) or, for example, an RFID chip (active or reactive) integrated into the sensor system, which enables particularly easy detection using a magnetic field detector or antenna.

[0023] An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip is detected by a system consisting of two main components: an RFID tag (or chip) and an RFID reader. The detection process uses radio waves. An RFID tag contains stored information, such as details about the sensor system used in the building or construction element and the parameters it measures. An antenna enables communication with the RFID reader. Tags can be active (with their own power source) or passive (without their own power source). The RFID reader's antenna transmits and receives radio waves, and the reader processes the received signals and extracts the information from the RFID tag. The detection process includes the signal transmission initiated by the reader.

[0024] The RFID reader transmits a high-frequency signal via its antenna. Passive RFID tags use this signal to power the tags. They then use the energy received from the reader to activate the chip and enable data transmission.

[0025] Advantageous further developments of the detection and charging device according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the detection and charging device according to the invention, it is provided that it includes a magnetic holder for holding the detection and charging device in a region of the sensor system. The detection and charging device could thus respond to metal or magnetic components in the sensor system and be held by an attractive force at the location of the sensor system installed in the building or construction element in order to carry out inductive charging of its power source.

[0027] In principle, the use of a building or construction element according to the invention is not limited to the automation of buildings. Its use in other technical fields where physical parameters need to be monitored and evaluated is also conceivable. However, due to its particularly simple integration into building or construction elements, it is preferably intended for the automated monitoring and / or control and / or regulation of physical state variables of a building, especially in heating, ventilation, lighting, locking, and alarm systems.

[0028] Further advantages, objectives, and features of the present invention are explained with reference to the following description of the single figure. The figure shows aspects of a building or construction element according to the invention in connection with the communication and charging of a sensor system incorporated therein.

[0029] The single figure shows a building or construction element 100 in which a sensor system 200 is at least partially integrated. This system measures a temperature and signals it via a communication interface. The sensor system 200 comprises a sensor, a rechargeable power source, and an inductive charging interface, which are not shown individually. The rechargeable power source supplies the sensor and the communication interface with the necessary energy. The inductive charging interface is powered via an inductive charging path 220 by means of a detection and charging unit 300 and charges the power source of the sensor system 200. The sensor measures a temperature on or in the building or construction element 100 and signals this temperature via the communication interface, which provides a Bluetooth connection 210 to an LTE (Long-Term Evolution) gateway 400.The LTE gateway 400 represents a node to a cloud backend 410 where the data is stored.

[0030] The LTE gateway is a network device that enables communication between different network protocols and technologies by using LTE cellular connections to access wireless networks. LTE is a standard for wireless broadband communication for mobile devices and data terminals. The data transmitted can be retrieved and displayed on a dashboard. For example, in response to a transmitted temperature reading, a specific heating or ventilation setting can be adjusted. Here, a dashboard is defined as a visual display of key information and metrics summarized on a single screen. It allows users to quickly and easily access relevant data to make informed decisions or to execute predefined decisions.

[0031] The power source in this building or construction element 100 is designed to transmit its charge status via the communication interface. It can include a corresponding monitoring and control module for this purpose. If the charge level falls below a critical value, it should be inductively recharged, which can also be displayed on the dashboard 420, preferably along with the installation location of the sensor system. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor system can also integrate an indicator, such as an audible buzzer, that warns of a low charge level and is audible at the location where the sensor system is installed.

[0032] The detection and charging unit 300 can be held in place by an integrated magnet within an area of ​​the sensor system 200 that has a complementary magnetic or metal component. This makes the sensor system easily locatable and serviceable for inductive charging of its power source. Conversely, or additionally, the sensor system can also signal its charging status via Bluetooth and indicate its position within a building or structural element, thus making it easy to locate for charging. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor system 200 could also include an RFID chip (active or passive), which is particularly lightweight and, in a passive application, easily locatable even when the sensor system 200's power source has run out.

[0033] Overall, the building or construction element according to the invention, for example, a wall of a prefabricated house, a connecting element for such walls, or a simple brick, can be easily equipped with a sensor system described above. In particular, no complex and costly wiring is required. The sensor system is not limited to measuring and signaling specific physical parameters, but can be adapted to any parameters required for an application. A single sensor or a combination of different sensors can be selected for this purpose. Furthermore, the sensor system is easy to detect and recharge, making it easy to maintain. This significantly simplifies any desired building automation. Reference symbol list 100 building or construction element 200 sensor system 210 Bluetooth connection 220 inductive charging area 300 detection and charging units 400 LTE (Long-Term Evolution) gateway 410 Cloud Backend 420 Dashboard

Claims

[1] Building or construction element (100) with a sensor system (200) at least partially incorporated therein for measuring and wirelessly signaling physical parameters, characterized by , that the sensor system (200) comprises a sensor, a communication interface for wirelessly signaling the physical characteristics of the sensor, a rechargeable power source for supplying power to the sensor and the communication interface, and an induction charging interface for recharging the power source. [2] Building or construction element (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the physical parameters include at least one of the following parameters: temperature, humidity, pressure, movement, acceleration, brightness, sound, image, or video sequence. [3] Building or construction element (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the communication interface provides at least one of the following connection types: a Bluetooth connection (210), an NFC (Near Field Communication) connection, a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) connection, an infrared connection, a Zigbee (Standard-Based Wireless Personal Area Network) connection, a Z-Wave connection, an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) connection, or a LiFi (Light Fidelity) connection. [4] Building or construction element (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the induction interface supports electromagnetic induction or resonant induction. [5] Building or construction element (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the building element is a concrete, brick, plastic, glass and / or wood building element, and the construction element is a connecting element for one or more of these building elements. [6] Building or construction element (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sensor system includes a magnetically or electromagnetically active or reactive component for detecting a position of the sensor system (200), in particular a metal and / or magnetic component and / or an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip. [7] Detection and charging unit (300) for a sensor system (200) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the detector is designed to detect a magnetically or electromagnetically active or reactive component of the sensor system (200), and the charger has an inductive charging interface for charging the power source of the sensor system (200). [8] Detection and charging unit (300) for a sensor system (200) according to claim 7, characterized by , that it includes a magnetic holder for holding the detection and charger in an area of ​​the sensor system (200). [9] Use of a building or construction element (100) for automated monitoring and / or control and / or regulation of physical state variables of a building, in particular in heating, ventilation, lighting, locking and alarm systems.

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