Gateway for managing a feature of a home automation swimming pool based on electrical power generated by at least one solar panel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gateway (31) for managing a function of a home automation system (10) for a swimming pool (15), comprising: - a first current measurement probe (TOR1) for measuring the current produced by at least one solar panel (27), - a second current measurement probe (TOR2) for measuring the current consumed by at least one piece of pool equipment (21), and - a communication bus (Bcom) capable of transmitting data relating to the current or electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) (27) and data relating to the current or electrical power consumed by the pool equipment(s) (21). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: GATEWAY FOR MANAGING A FUNCTIONALITY OF A POOL HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEM BASED ON ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATED BY AT LEAST ONE SOLAR PANEL

[0001] The present invention relates to a gateway for managing a functionality of a swimming pool home automation system based on electrical power generated by at least one solar panel. The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application with swimming pool home automation systems for individuals.

[0002] In a manner known per se, a swimming pool home automation system can provide a functionality such as filtration of the swimming pool water via the control of a filtration pump ensuring the circulation of various water currents, in particular a first water current circulating in a filtration assembly to suck up debris, leaves and other items deposited on the surface of the swimming pool, and a second water current transmitted to a swimming pool cleaning robot.

[0003] The home automation system can also provide a swimming pool water heating function via the control of a heat pump. The home automation system can also manage the swimming pool lighting, control a pool filling level as well as the pH level of the pool water. The home automation system can also control electrolysis and / or product injection pumps to adapt the pH and chlorine level of the swimming pool to a target value.

[0004] In order to save energy, it is possible to install solar panels producing electrical energy made available on the domestic electricity network. However, existing swimming pool home automation systems manage their functions independently of the electrical power produced by the solar panels.

[0005] The invention aims to effectively remedy this drawback by proposing a gateway for managing a functionality of a swimming pool home automation system comprising: - a first current measuring probe intended to measure a current produced by at least one solar panel, - a second current measuring probe intended to measure a current consumed by at least one swimming pool equipment, and - a communication bus capable of transmitting data relating to a current or electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) and data relating to a current or electrical power consumed by the swimming pool equipment(s).

[0006] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising: - a gateway as previously defined, - a home automation system connected to the gateway via the communication bus so as to directly obtain the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) and the electrical power consumed by the swimming pool equipment(s) or configured to determine the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) from the current measured by the first current measuring probe and the electrical power consumed by the swimming pool equipment(s) from the current measured by the second current measuring probe, - said home automation system being configured to adapt the electrical consumption of at least one swimming pool equipment according to the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s).

[0007] The invention thus makes it possible, based on knowledge of the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s), to ensure that the various swimming pool equipment does not consume more electrical power than that produced by the solar panel(s).

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, in the case where the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) is less than an electrical power consumed by the swimming pool equipment, the home automation system is configured to reduce the electrical power of the swimming pool equipment.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the swimming pool equipment whose electrical power is adapted according to the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) is a filtration pump.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the swimming pool equipment whose electrical power is adapted according to the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) is a heat pump.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first current measuring probe takes the form of a ring, such as a torus, arranged around an electrical power cable electrically connected to an output of one or more inverters associated with the solar panel(s).

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second current measuring probe takes the form of a ring arranged around an electrical power cable electrically connected between a domestic electrical panel and the home automation system.

[0013] The invention further relates to a method for managing a functionality of a swimming pool home automation system comprising: - a step of measuring a current produced by at least one solar panel, - a step of measuring a current consumed by at least one swimming pool equipment, and - a step of determining the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s), - a step of determining the electrical power produced by the swimming pool equipment(s), and - a step of adapting the electrical consumption of at least one swimming pool equipment according to the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s).

[0014] According to one implementation of the invention, the method is inhibited when the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) is below a minimum production threshold.

[0015] According to one implementation of the invention, the steps of measuring current and adapting the electrical power are carried out according to a predetermined step.

[0016] The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures, presented as non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its embodiment and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of a swimming pool and an ins installation of solar panels associated with a home automation system and a gateway according to the present invention;

[0018] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a gateway for the management of a functionality of a swimming pool home automation system based on an electrical power generated by at least one solar panel according to the present invention;

[0019] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a diagram of the process steps for managing a functionality of a swimming pool home automation system based on electrical power generated by at least one solar panel according to the present invention.

[0020] It should be noted that, in the figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0021] [Fig.l] shows a home automation system 10 for a swimming pool capable of providing at least one functionality, such as filtration of the water in a swimming pool via the control of a filtration pump 11 ensuring the circulation of various water currents, in particular a first water current circulating in a filtration assembly to suck up debris, leaves and other items deposited on the surface of the swimming pool, and a second water current transmitted to a pool cleaning robot. For this purpose, the home automation system 10 comprises an intelligent filtration box 12 connected to a speed variator 13 electrically connected to the filtration pump 11 installed near the swimming pool 15.

[0022] The home automation system 10 may also include a functionality for heating the water in the swimming pool 15 via the control of a heat pump 16. The home automation system 10 may also manage the lighting of the swimming pool 15, control a filling level of the swimming pool 15 as well as the pH level of the swimming pool water 15. The home automation system 10 may also control the electrolysis and / or product injection pumps to adapt the pH and the chlorine level of the swimming pool 15 to a target value. The control of the home automation system 10 may be carried out by a wireless communication device 19, such as a dedicated remote control or a portable electronic device such as for example a mobile phone or a digital tablet capable of communicating with the home automation system 10 via a radio link 20 for example of the wifi or Bluetooth (registered trademark) type or any other radio link adapted to the application.

[0023] The intelligent filtration box 12 comprises in particular electrical protection devices, in particular circuit breakers, fuses and contactors, for the swimming pool equipment 21, such as the filtration pump 11, the heat pump, a robot, a lighting system, a robot or any other equipment that can be used with a swimming pool. The intelligent filtration box 12 comprises a control module which receives information from different sensors and issues control commands to the different swimming pool equipment 21. The intelligent filtration box 12 distributes electrical power to the different swimming pool equipment 21.

[0024] In order to ensure its power supply as well as that of the swimming pool equipment 21 that it controls, the home automation system 10 is electrically connected, via the intelligent filtration box 12, to a domestic electrical panel 24. The various available sources of electrical power are electrically connected to the domestic electrical panel 24.

[0025] Solar panels 27 produce electrical energy made available on the domestic electrical network. For this purpose, the solar panels 27 are associated with an inverter 28 capable of transforming the direct current generated by the solar panels 27 into an alternating current. The inverter 28 is electrically connected to an electrical box 30 associated with the solar panels 27. The electrical box 30 is electrically connected to the domestic electrical panel 24. The electrical box 30 comprises electrical protection devices, in particular circuit breakers, fuses and contactors, for the solar panels 27.

[0026] A gateway 31 is used to ensure the management of a functionality of a home automation system 10 for swimming pool 15 based on an electrical power produced by the solar panels 27. The gateway 31 can be integrated into the electrical box 30. For this purpose, the gateway 31 comprises a first current measurement probe TOR1 intended to measure a current produced by at least one solar panel 27 and a second current measurement probe TOR2 intended to measure a current consumed by at least one swimming pool equipment 15.

[0027] Advantageously, the first current measuring probe TOR1 takes the form of a ring, such as a torus, arranged around an electrical power cable electrically connected to an output of one or more inverters 28 associated with the solar panels 27. The first current measuring probe TOR1 thus makes it possible to measure the sum of the currents produced by all of the solar panels 27. In this case, the first current measuring probe TOR1 is arranged around an electrical power cable electrically connected between the output of the inverter(s) 28 and the electrical box 30 associated with the solar panels 27. The second current measuring probe TOR2 takes the form of a ring, such as a torus, arranged around an electrical power cable electrically connected between the domestic electrical panel 24 and the intelligent filtration box 12 which distributes the electrical power to the various swimming pool equipment 21.

[0028] A communication bus Bcom is capable of transmitting data relating to an electrical current or power produced by the solar panel(s) 27 and data relating to an electrical current or power consumed by the swimming pool equipment(s) 21. In [Fig.l], the cables carrying electrical power signals P are shown in continuous lines while the wires carrying measurement signals are shown in broken lines.

[0029] The home automation system 10 is connected to the gateway 31 via the communication bus Bcom so as to directly obtain the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) 27 and the electrical power consumed by the swimming pool equipment(s) 21. In this case, the electrical powers are calculated by the gateway 31 from the current values ​​measured by the probes TOR1, TOR2. Alternatively, the home automation system 10 is configured to determine the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) 27 from the current measured by the first current measuring probe TOR1 and the electrical power consumed by the swimming pool equipment(s) 21 from the current measured by the second current measuring probe TOR2.

[0030] The home automation system 10 is configured to adapt the electrical consumption of at least one swimming pool equipment 21 according to the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) 27.

[0031] In the case where the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) 27 is greater than an electrical power consumed by the swimming pool equipment 21, the swimming pool equipment 21 can continue to consume the desired electrical power given that this electrical power is covered by the electrical production of the solar panels 27.

[0032] In the case where the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) 27 is less than an electrical power consumed by the swimming pool equipment 21, the home automation system 10 is configured to reduce the electrical power of the swimming pool equipment 21.

[0033] Advantageously, the swimming pool equipment 21 whose electrical power is adapted as a function of the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) 27 is a filtration pump 11. Alternatively, the swimming pool equipment 21 whose electrical power is adapted as a function of the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) 27 is a heat pump 16.

[0034] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the invention further relates to a method for managing a functionality of a home automation system 10 for a swimming pool 15 comprising: - a step 101 of measuring a current produced by at least one solar panel 27, a step 102 of measuring a current consumed by at least one swimming pool equipment 21 and - a step 103 of determining an electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) 27, - a step 104 of determining an electrical power produced by the swimming pool equipment(s) 21, and - a step 105 of adapting the electrical consumption of at least one swimming pool equipment 21 as a function of the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) 27.

[0035] The method is preferably inhibited when the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) 27 is below a minimum production threshold.

[0036] The steps of measuring current and adapting the electrical power are carried out according to a predetermined step. The predetermined step is of the order of 5 minutes.

[0037] Of course, the various features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0038] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that may be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention and in particular all combinations of the different operating modes described above, which may be taken separately or in association.

Claims

Claims

1. Gateway (31) for managing a functionality of a home automation system (10) for a swimming pool (15) characterized in that said gateway (31) comprises: - a first current measurement probe (TOR1) intended to measure a current produced by at least one solar panel (27), - a second current measurement probe (TOR2) intended to measure a current consumed by at least one swimming pool equipment (21), and - a communication bus (Bcom) capable of transmitting data relating to a current or an electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) (27) and data relating to a current or an electrical power consumed by the swimming pool equipment(s) (21).

2. Assembly characterized in that it comprises: - a gateway (31) according to claim 1, - a home automation system (10) connected to the gateway (31) via the communication bus (Bcom) so as to directly obtain the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) (27) and the electrical power consumed by the swimming pool equipment(s) (21) or configured to determine the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) (27) from the current measured by the first current measuring probe (TOR1) and the electrical power consumed by the swimming pool equipment(s) (21) from the current measured by the second current measuring probe (TOR2), - said home automation system (10) being configured to adapt an electrical consumption of at least one swimming pool equipment (21) as a function of the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) (27).

3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that in the case where the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) (27) is less than an electrical power consumed by the swimming pool equipment (21), the home automation system (10) is configured to reduce the electrical power of the swimming pool equipment (21).

4. Assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the swimming pool equipment (21) whose electrical power is adapted according to the electrical power produced by the panel(s) solar (27) is a filtration pump (11).

5. Assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the swimming pool equipment (21) whose electrical power is adapted according to the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) (27) is a heat pump (16).

6. Assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first current measuring probe (TOR1) takes the form of a ring arranged around an electrical power cable electrically connected to an output of one or more inverters (28) associated with the solar panel(s) (27).

7. Assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second current measuring probe (TOR2) takes the form of a ring arranged around an electrical power cable electrically connected between a domestic electrical panel (24) and an intelligent filtration box (12) of the home automation system (10).

8. Method for managing a functionality of a home automation system (10) for a swimming pool (15) characterized in that it comprises: - a step (101) of measuring a current produced by at least one solar panel (27), - a step (102) of measuring a current consumed by at least one swimming pool equipment (21), and - a step (103) of determining an electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) (27), - a step (104) of determining an electrical power produced by the swimming pool equipment(s) (21), and - a step (105) of adapting an electrical consumption of at least one swimming pool equipment (21) as a function of the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) (27).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the method is inhibited when the electrical power produced by the solar panel(s) (27) is below a minimum production threshold.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the steps of measuring current and adapting the electrical power are carried out according to a predetermined step.

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