Sensor technology and combination thereof with a control device for the active air conditioning of at least one display case

Abstract

Sensor system (10) for air conditioning at least one display case (V) by means of at least one controlled circulation system (10; 10') for a gas mixture (L) located in the interior of the display case (V), in particular in a display case element (SK) of the display case (V), wherein the respective circulation system (10) has at least the following components: a filter device (12) with a humidity-regulating agent, and a circulation drive (P), wherein the components (12; P) are connected together with the interior of the display case (V) by means of gas-tight connecting elements to form at least one circuit (KL) in which the gas mixture (L) circulates in order to stabilize the humidity of the gas mixture (L) by means of the filter device (12) and to filter out impurities from the gas mixture (L); wherein the sensor system (11) comprises a plurality of sensors and is connected to a control device (13) for controlling the circulation system (10), in particular the circulation drive (P), in order to measure parameters to be controlled or monitored for the control device (13); characterized in that at least two sensors (111, 112) are integrated in the sensor system (11), which sensors are arranged at the same location on or in the interior of the display case (V) and record parameters relating to at least the humidity and the contamination of the gas mixture (L) as input signals for the control device (13) in order to control the circulation drive (P) depending on the recorded parameters.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the air conditioning of one or more display cases, in particular a sensor system and a combination thereof with a control device for the active air conditioning of at least one display case.

[0002] Conventional display cases often consist of a base element and a display case element mounted on top, fitted with glass panels, in which at least one exhibit is stored. Such display cases have been manufactured by the applicant for decades and are disclosed, for example, in DE 20 2013 102 868 U1.

[0003] To protect the exhibits and ensure their optimal preservation, display cases must be air-conditioned. A distinction is made between passive and active air conditioning. Passive air conditioning is achieved, if possible, without the use of electrically operated components (fans, circulation pumps, possibly with filters, UV radiation, etc.) and only with the help of hygroscopic material (preferably silica gel), which removes humidity from the interior of the display case. This material is often located in a drawer or container provided in the base, a so-called air conditioning compartment, into which a cassette containing conditioned silica gel can be inserted (see: https: / / llfa.de / klimatisierung / silikagel-e.html). The air exchange or air circulation between the air conditioning compartment and the interior of the display case occurs through natural convection.

[0004] Active air conditioning is defined as the use of electrically operated components, such as the aforementioned fans, circulation pumps (possibly with filters), UV radiation, etc. These components can be components of a circulation system that actively air-conditions the display case. Such a system is disclosed in DE 20 2021 106 042 U1.

[0005] DE 10 2006 022 296 A1 discloses a so-called air conditioning module with a control device and several sensors for measuring temperature and humidity for the active air conditioning of an exhibition showcase.

[0006] In active air conditioning, sensors are of utmost importance for optimal control / regulation of the components. This is because the sensors must be capable of measuring the parameters to be controlled or monitored, such as relative humidity, temperature, or the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the interior of the display case, as accurately and error- and interference-resistant as possible.

[0007] The applicant itself has developed and disclosed solutions for this purpose (see the above-mentioned DE 20 2021 106 042 U1).

[0008] Accordingly, a sensor system and a combination thereof with a control device are known, which are used for air conditioning at least one exhibition showcase by means of at least one controlled circulation system for a gas mixture (such as air) which is located in the interior of the exhibition showcase, in particular in a display case element of the exhibition showcase, wherein the respective circulation system has at least the following components: a filter device with a humidity-regulating agent, and a circulation drive, wherein the components are connected together with the interior of the exhibition showcase by means of gas-tight connecting elements to form at least one circuit in which the gas mixture circulates orcirculates in order to stabilize the humidity of the gas mixture by means of the filter device and to filter out impurities from the gas mixture; wherein the sensor system comprises a plurality of sensors and is connected to the control device for controlling the circulation system, in particular the circulation drive, in order to measure parameters to be controlled or monitored for the control device.

[0009] It is therefore common practice to use a sensor system with several different sensors, each installed at a measuring point in or on the display case. While the electrically operated components and their control units are often housed in the base of the display case, most of the required sensors must be positioned as close as possible to, or even better, within the display case itself in order to accurately measure the parameters to be measured on-site. It is important that these sensors are installed in the display case in a space-saving, unobtrusive manner, and as invisible as possible to the viewer.

[0010] In addition, it would be desirable to develop a cost-effective solution suitable for active air conditioning of very large or multiple display cases.

[0011] The object is achieved by a sensor system having the features of claim 1. Accordingly, the sensor system according to the invention is characterized in that at least two sensors are integrated in the sensor system, which are arranged at the same location on or in the interior of the display case and record parameters relating to at least the humidity and the contamination of the gas mixture as input signals for the control device in order to control the circulation drive depending on the recorded parameters.

[0012] This allows for the efficient and space-saving integration of as many different sensors as possible into a single sensor system, allowing them to be mounted in the same location in or on the display case. All sensors can be powered by a single power supply. Signal transmission to the control device can also be carried out efficiently, for example, via a single interface.

[0013] Furthermore, claim 8 proposes a combination consisting of such a sensor system and a control device. Claim 12 proposes a circulation system equipped with such a combination of sensor system and control device. Finally, claim 14 proposes a display case equipped with at least one such circulation system.

[0014] Particularly advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims: Preferably, the sensor system contains a single circuit board on which the at least two sensors, in particular embodied as two sensor chips, are arranged, one of which is heat-sensitive and the other radiates heat during operation, and conductor tracks that connect these two sensors or chips to one another are arranged in a meandering pattern on the circuit board. This can also be referred to as a "multi-sensor circuit board." This achieves a very space-saving, high degree of integration, without the heat generation of one chip (e.g., a VOC chip) impairing the function of the other heat-sensitive chip (e.g., a temperature sensor), because the meandering conductor track layout effectively reduces or even prevents heat transfer.

[0015] In this context, the heat-sensitive sensor or chip (111) can be designed to detect the temperature and / or humidity inside the display case, and / or the heat-radiating sensor or chip can be designed to detect volatile organic compounds contained in the gas mixture.

[0016] Preferably, the sensor system is arranged in a sleeve, in particular an electrically non-conductive and / or thermally non-conductive sleeve, which is designed to be inserted into the interior of the display case in a largely vertical position, in particular from below into the floor of the interior of the display case. This not only optimally protects the sensor system but also significantly simplifies the placement and, if necessary, replacement of the sensor system.

[0017] In this context, it is advantageous if the sleeve is made of carbon fiber and / or is provided with a cap, wherein at least the sleeve or the cap has a plurality of openings, in particular slot-shaped openings, through which the gas mixture circulating in the at least one circuit can flow easily and directly to the sensors.

[0018] Preferably, the sensor system is equipped with a plug connection in order to connect the components located on the circuit board, in particular the sensors, with the control device and, if applicable, the power supply.

[0019] As regards the inventive combination of sensor technology and control device, it is advantageous if the control device is provided with storage means and a processor provided with a time unit in order to operate as a data logger in order to log the input data (measured values) and output data (control data).

[0020] Furthermore, the sensor and / or control device can be equipped with a battery or an electrical buffer storage in order to have sufficient power available to operate the sensor or control device in the event of a power failure.

[0021] The control device can also be designed to function as a master control device in a master-slave arrangement with another circulation system, in particular with its control device.

[0022] As far as the circulation system according to the invention is concerned, it can also have a sterilization device to sterilize the circulating gas mixture.

[0023] And as far as the display case according to the invention is concerned, it can also be equipped with at least two circulation systems, each having a control device, wherein a control device of one of the circulation systems is designed to function as a master control device in a master-slave arrangement with another of the circulation systems, in particular with its control device.

[0024] This enables effective master-slave operation, which is particularly efficient for air conditioning larger display cases and / or arrangements of several display cases in a showroom.

[0025] The invention is described in detail below using exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show the following schematic representations: Fig. 1 shows the construction of an exhibition showcase according to the invention, including sensors and a control device for active air conditioning; Fig. Figure 2 shows in detail the sensor system according to the invention used for air conditioning, in which several sensors are integrated.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows the construction of an inventive display case V designed for active air conditioning, which has a lower base element SL and above it a glass showcase element SK, in which exhibition objects or exhibits E1 and E2 are located. Inside the display case V or the showcase element SK there is a gas mixture, e.g. clean room air L, which is circulated by means of two circulation systems 10 and 10' by pumps P and P' (see also Fig. 2) is circulated (see circuits KL and KL') and cleaned of impurities such as dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), etc., in the filter devices 12 and 12' provided for this purpose. In addition, a sterilization device 14 and 14' is also provided, which sterilizes the circulating gas mixture L, e.g., by UV irradiation, and thus frees it from germs. The components provided for active air conditioning, in particular pumps P, P' and sterilization devices 14, 14', are each controlled in the two circuits KL and KL' by a control device 13 and 13', respectively, depending on measured values ​​supplied by a sensor system 11 according to the invention. The design and function of the sensor system 11 and its interaction with the control device 13 will be described below with reference to the Fig. 2 described in more detail: The sensor system 11 has at least two sensors 111 and 112, which are integrated on a circuit board PT in order to transmit the measured values ​​or parameters detected by the sensors to the control device 13, which controls the components depending on them, here in particular the pump(s) P and P' and the sterilization device 14 and 14'. Both sensors 111 and 112 can also be designed as sensor chips. Here, for example, a first sensor chip 111 is used to measure the temperature (T sensor) and the room humidity (RH sensor), and a second sensor chip 112 is used to measure volatile organic compounds, a so-called VOC sensor chip ("Volatile Organic Compound Sensor"). However, the VOC sensor chip 112 generates a certain amount of heat during operation, and the T / RH sensor chip 111 is naturally heat-sensitive. The PT board can also be referred to as a "multi-sensor board." However, since all sensors are arranged compactly on the PT board, the aim is to prevent neighboring sensors from interfering with each other, which could lead to measurement errors. In the present example, the heat generated by the VOC sensor chip 112 can reach the heat-sensitive T / RH sensor chip 111 via lines LB, which is to be avoided. For this purpose, the connecting conductor tracks LB are designed in a meandering shape, significantly extending the length of the heat conduction and thus significantly reducing heat transfer.

[0027] The entire sensor system 11 is housed in a sleeve HS, which is made of carbon fiber here to prevent heat conduction. The upper end of the sleeve HS can be inserted from below through the floor BD of the display case V into the interior. Furthermore, the sleeve HS is provided with a cap (not shown) with slot-shaped openings, allowing the sensors of the sensor system to be in direct contact with the interior air of the display case V.

[0028] The sensors or chips 111 and 112 are connected via a plug connection 113 and supply line to the control device 13, which controls the aforementioned components, here the pumps P / P' and sterilization devices 14 / 14', depending on the measured values ​​or data for the purpose of air conditioning.

[0029] The first control device 13 acts as a master in a master-slave configuration (see data line MS in Fig.1), i.e., for the second control device 13' or its circulation system 10', which functions only as a slave. This allows the air conditioning in a configuration with two or even more circulation systems to be controlled centrally via a single sensor system 11 and only one (here, the first) control device 13 in a very efficient manner.

[0030] In this context, it is advantageous if the sensor is equipped with a signal converter (not shown). This is because at least some of the components on the board often transmit signals according to a standard suitable for board- and device-internal data transmission, such as the I 2 C-Bus standard, which can be implemented using a two-wire cable. The I 2The C-Bus standard is particularly suitable for master-slave configurations, whereby data transmission is limited to shorter distances. However, to enable a master-slave configuration of several display cases located far apart, the sensor system contains a signal converter (e.g., integrated in connector 113) that converts the data according to the I 2 C-Bus standard into a signal format that is suitable for device-external data transmission, especially for data transmission over cable lengths of several meters (even 20-30 meters and more).

[0031] For operation and monitoring, the central control device 13 is equipped with a wireless communication module, in this case, for example, a Bluetooth BT module, for exchanging data with a mobile device, in this case, a user's smartphone, via Bluetooth BT, relating to operating software installed on the device, in this case, a proprietary operating app. The user or operator (e.g., museum staff) can, among other things, monitor the operation of display case V or an overall system comprising several display cases and, if necessary, adjust the function of the control device 13 by changing parameters. The user is also informed of any alarms that may be triggered.

[0032] Furthermore, the control device 13, by means of storage means and a processor (not shown) provided with a time unit, is also capable of functioning as a data logger to log input and output data of the control device 13 and / or the data exchanged with the mobile device. This data can also be viewed via the user's app. List of reference symbols V Display cabinet (also called showcase for short) SK (upper) showcase element SL (lower) base element BD Soil E1, E2 Exhibition objects / exhibits L Gas mixture (e.g. air) 10, 10' circulation system(s) P, P' circulation drive(s) or pump(s) 12, 12' filter device(s) 13, 13' control device(s) 14, 14' Sterilization device(s) KL, KL' circulation(s); circulation(s) 11 Sensor technology with multiple integrated sensors HS sleeve PT board, here with multi-sensor board 111 first sensor / chip for measuring room humidity and temperature 112 second sensor / chip for measuring contamination by volatile organic compounds, here VOC chip LB meridian(s), meander-shaped 113 Plug connection, if necessary with signal converter BT wireless communication module, here Bluetooth module MS data line for master-slave communication QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2013 102 868 U1

[0002] DE 20 2021 106 042 U1 [0004, 0007] DE 10 2006 022 296 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Sensor system (10) for air conditioning at least one display case (V) by means of at least one controlled circulation system (10; 10') for a gas mixture (L) located in the interior of the display case (V), in particular in a display case element (SK) of the display case (V), wherein the respective circulation system (10) has at least the following components: a filter device (12) with a humidity-regulating agent, and a circulation drive (P), wherein the components (12; P) are connected together with the interior of the display case (V) by means of gas-tight connecting elements to form at least one circuit (KL) in which the gas mixture (L) circulates in order to stabilize the humidity of the gas mixture (L) by means of the filter device (12) and to filter out impurities from the gas mixture (L); wherein the sensor system (11) comprises a plurality of sensors and is connected to a control device (13) for controlling the circulation system (10), in particular the circulation drive (P), in order to measure parameters to be controlled or monitored for the control device (13); characterized by that at least two sensors (111, 112) are integrated in the sensor system (11), which are arranged at the same location on or in the interior of the display case (V) and record parameters relating to at least the humidity and the contamination of the gas mixture (L) as input signals for the control device (13) in order to control the circulation drive (P) depending on the recorded parameters. [2] Sensor system (11) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the sensor system (11) has a circuit board (PT) on which the at least two sensors, in particular designed as two sensor chips (111, 112), are arranged, of which one sensor or chip (111) is heat-sensitive and another sensor or chip (112) radiates heat during operation, and that conductor tracks (LB) which connect these two sensors or chips (111, 112) to one another are arranged in a meandering shape on the circuit board (PT). [3] Sensor system (11) according to claim 2, characterized by that the heat-sensitive sensor or chip (111) is designed to detect the temperature and / or humidity inside the display case (V). [4] Sensor system (11) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the heat-radiating sensor or chip (112) is designed to detect volatile organic compounds contained in the gas mixture (L). [5] Sensor system (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the sensor system (11) is arranged in a sleeve (HS), in particular in an electrically non-conductive and / or a heat-non-conductive sleeve (HS), which is designed to be insertable in a largely vertical position into the interior of the display case (V), in particular from below into the floor (BD) of the interior of the display case (V). [6] Sensor system (11) according to claim 5, characterized by that the sleeve (HS) is made by means of carbon fiber and / or is provided with a cap, wherein at least the sleeve (HS) or the cap has a plurality of openings, in particular slot-shaped openings, through which the gas mixture (L) circulating in the at least one circuit (KL; KL') can flow to the sensors (111, 112). [7] Sensor system (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the sensor system (11) is equipped with a plug connection (113) in order to connect the components located on the circuit board (PT), in particular the sensors (111, 112), to the control device (13). [8] Sensor system (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least some of the components on the board (PT) transmit signals according to a standard suitable for board- and device-internal data transmission (I 2 C) and that the sensor system (11) has a signal converter, in particular a signal converter integrated in the plug connection (113), which converts the signal voltage according to the standard (I 2 C) converts the transmitted signals into a signal format that is suitable for data transmission outside the device, in particular for data transmission over cable lengths of several meters. [9] Combination of sensor (11) and control device (13) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Combination of sensor (11) and control device (13) according to claim 9, characterized by that the control device (13) is integrated with one of the components of the circulation system (10), in particular with the circulation drive (P). [11] Combination of sensor (11) and control device (13) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that the control device (13) is provided by means of storage means and a processor provided with a time unit to operate as a data logger to log the input data and output data. [12] Combination of sensor (11) and control device (13) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by that the control device (13) is designed to function as a master control device in a master-slave arrangement (MS) with a further circulation system (10'), in particular with its control device (13'). [13] Circulation system (10) with a combination of sensors (11) and control device (13) according to one of claims 9 to 12. [14] Circulation system (10) according to claim 12, characterized by that the circulation system (10) also has a sterilization device (14) to sterilize the circulating gas mixture (L). [15] Display cabinet (V) equipped with at least one circulation system (10) according to claim 13. [16] Display cabinet (V) according to claim 15, characterized by that the display case (V) is equipped with at least two circulation systems (10, 10'), each with a control device (13, 13'), of which the control device (13) of one (10) of the circulation systems is designed to function as a master control device in a master-slave arrangement (MS) with another (10') of the circulation systems (10'), in particular with its control device (13').

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