Thermostatic valve configuration procedure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for setting the parameters of a motorized thermostatic head of a thermostatic valve comprising a valve body. The motorized thermostatic head causes a movement of a movable element of the valve body, allowing all or part of the fluid to circulate within the valve body, or preventing it from circulating. According to the invention: - the rotation of the stepper motor is controlled (E405) to cause the movable element of the valve body to move through its entire stroke within the valve body, - the back electromotive force is measured at each half step, - a stop corresponding to a complete closure of the conduit, preventing fluid from circulating within the valve body, is detected (E406) from the measurements, - an opening range for the conduit of the valve body is detected (E411) from the measurements, - the stop and the opening range are used to control the movable element. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig.4.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for setting the parameters of a thermostatic valve. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for setting the parameters of a motorized thermostatic valve for the control and regulation of a domestic heating system with fluid circulation. STATE OF PRIOR ART

[0002] A thermostatic valve is a valve that controls the flow of fluid in a radiator. Typically, thermostatic valves include a temperature-sensitive probe that expands and contracts according to the ambient temperature and actuates a mechanical system that allows the appropriate amount of fluid to pass through. A thermostatic valve is also known as a thermostatic radiator valve.

[0003] A thermostatic valve consists of a valve body and a thermostatic head. The thermostatic head allows a desired temperature to be set in a room of a building by moving a movable element within the valve body, which modulates the amount of fluid circulating in the radiator.

[0004] There are three types of thermostatic heads, mechanical thermostatic heads, electronic thermostatic heads and motorized and connected thermostatic heads.

[0005] Mechanical thermostatic heads are the most classic type of thermostatic head, with a visible scale from 1 to 5 and a frost protection mode; they are not programmable. They are adjustable manually only.

[0006] Electronic thermostatic heads are easy to control and offer the same advantages as mechanical ones, but with the added benefit of a digital display and control accurate to half a degree. Electronic thermostatic heads are programmable, whether for hourly or weekly schedules. They can be controlled directly on the valve or via the room thermostat.

[0007] Motorized thermostatic heads are the new version of thermostatic heads and operate in connection with an Internet network and sometimes with a connected thermostat.

[0008] There are many valve bodies on the market with widely different technical characteristics.

[0009] It should be noted here that the valve bodies, by virtue of their structure, have different linearities.

[0010] Sometimes, valve bodies have a different opening point. The opening point is the point from which the fluid flows through the valve body and therefore the radiator.

[0011] It is possible to connect motorized and connected thermostatic heads to these valve bodies. These thermostatic heads incorporate a control mechanism that allows the room temperature to be regulated according to a setpoint defined by the user. The thermostatic head's control mechanism acts on the valve body to circulate a certain flow rate through the radiator. However, valve bodies have different linear characteristics depending on the brand or model.

[0012] Thus, for the same temperature setpoint and therefore the same action of the thermostatic head motor on the valve body, it is possible to obtain widely different flow rates and generate instabilities in temperature regulation.

[0013] These instabilities result in, among other things, excessive energy consumption due to the motor's unpredictable movements. This is particularly problematic when the motorized thermostatic head is powered by a battery.

[0014] In particular, it is desirable to provide a solution that ensures uniform flow rates regardless of the type of valve body. Description of the invention

[0015] A method is proposed for setting the parameters of a motorized thermostatic head of a thermostatic valve for the control and regulation of a domestic heating system with fluid circulation in a room of a building. The thermostatic valve comprises a valve body and a motorized thermostatic head. The motorized thermostatic head comprises a stepper motor for moving a piston of the thermostatic head. The movement of the piston causes a movement of a movable element of the valve body. The movable element of the valve body allows all or part of the fluid to circulate within the valve body, or does not allow it to circulate at all. The method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

[0016] - control of the rotation of the stepper motor by a number of half steps predetermined to cause the moving element of the valve body to move through the entire stroke of the moving element within the valve body,

[0017] - measurement at each half step of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor,

[0018] - detection from measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor of a stop that corresponds to a total closure of the conduit and prevents any fluid from circulating in the valve body,

[0019] - detection from measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor of a valve body conduit opening range,

[0020] - use of the stop which corresponds to a total closure of the conduit and the opening range of the valve body conduit to control the moving element.

[0021] The invention also relates to a parameter setting device for a motorized thermostatic head of a thermostatic valve for the control and regulation of a domestic heating system with fluid circulation in a room of a building, the thermostatic valve comprising a valve body and the motorized thermostatic head, the motorized thermostatic head comprising a stepper motor for moving a piston of the thermostatic head, the movement of the piston causing a movement of a movable element of the valve body, the movable element of the valve body allowing all or part of the fluid to circulate, or not allowing any fluid to circulate, in the valve body, characterized in that the device comprises:

[0022] - means for controlling the rotation of the stepper motor by a number of half not predetermined to cause the moving element of the valve body to move through the entire stroke of the moving element within the valve body,

[0023] - means for measuring at each half step the counter electromotive force of the stepper motor,

[0024] - means of detection based on measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor with a stop that corresponds to a complete closure of the conduit and prevents fluid from circulating in the valve body,

[0025] - means of detection based on measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor with a valve body duct opening range,

[0026] - means of using the stop which corresponds to a total closure of the conduit and the opening range of the conduit of the valve body to control the moving element.

[0027] Thus, the present invention makes it possible to optimize the control of the motor so that it only operates within the opening range of the valve body conduit and thus to reduce electrical consumption and extend the life of the battery providing the electrical power supply.

[0028] According to a particular embodiment, the process further comprises the steps of:

[0029] - control of the rotation of the stepper motor by a number of half steps predetermined to cause the piston to move to a position in which the piston is fully retracted into the motorized thermostatic head.

[0030] - detection from measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor of a stop which corresponds to the position in which the piston is to a position in which the piston is fully retracted into the motorized thermostatic head.

[0031] According to a particular embodiment, the stops are detected by comparing the difference between the average of the measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor during a half step and the average of the measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor during a previous half step to a first predetermined threshold.

[0032] Thus, the present invention makes it possible to detect the point of contact of the piston with the moving element.

[0033] According to a particular embodiment, the stops are detected by comparing the difference between the average of the measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor during a half step and the average of the measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor during a previous half step to a first predetermined threshold.

[0034] Thus, the detection of the stops is precise because it is based on the detection of a rapid variation of the back electromotive force between two half steps.

[0035] According to a particular embodiment, the opening range of the valve body conduit is detected by comparing the absolute value of the difference between a moving average of measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor during a given number of half steps and an average of measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor during a half step at a second predetermined threshold.

[0036] Thus, it is possible to detect a slow variation of the back electromotive force and to allow detection of the opening range of different types of valve bodies.

[0037] A computer program is also proposed, which can be stored on a medium and / or downloaded from a communication network, in order to be read by a processor. This computer program includes instructions for implementing the process carried out by an internet gateway, as mentioned above, when said program is executed by the processor. The invention also relates to an information storage medium for storing such a computer program. Brief description of the drawings

[0038] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of at least one exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0039] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates an example of the hardware arrangement of a valve thermostatic comprising the present invention;

[0040] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an example of the hardware arrangement of a controller included in a motorized thermostatic head according to the present invention;

[0041] [Fig.3] illustrates an example of measurements of the back electromotive force of a motor step by step during the movement of a piston configured to move a moving element of a valve body;

[0042] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm executed by a controller to calibrate a valve body according to the present invention;

[0043] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm executed by a controller to detect stops according to the present invention;

[0044] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm executed by a controller to detect the opening range of the valve body conduit according to the present invention.

[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT METHODS

[0046] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a material arrangement of a thermostatic valve comprising the present invention.

[0047] The motorized thermostatic head 100 includes a controller Cont, a stepper motor 101, transmission means 102 and a piston 103.

[0048] The valve body 104 includes a movable element 106 actuated by the piston 103 whose movement modulates the quantity of fluid circulating in a conduit 105 connected to a radiator not shown in [Fig.1].

[0049] The valve body 104 includes a seal 107.

[0050] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an example of the hardware arrangement of a controller included in a motorized thermostatic head according to the present invention.

[0051] The Cont controller comprises, connected by a communication bus 201: a processor Proc 200; a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203; a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 or a Flash memory; a radio interface 204 and an input / output interface 206.

[0052] The input / output interface 206 allows the rotation of a motor included in the thermostatic head to be controlled, and a measurement of the back electromotive force of the motor to be obtained.

[0053] The Proc 200 processor is capable of executing instructions loaded into memory or a communication network. When the Cont controller is powered on, the Proc 200 processor is capable of reading instructions from RAM 203 and executing them. These instructions form a computer program causing the Proc 200 processor to implement all or part of the behaviors, algorithms, and steps described herein.

[0054] Thus, all or part of the algorithms and steps described herein can be implemented in software form by executing a set of instructions by a programmable machine, such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a microcontroller, or a processor. All or part of the algorithms and steps described herein It can also be implemented in hardware form by a machine or a component (a "chip"), such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Thus, the Cont controller includes electronic circuitry adapted and configured to implement the behaviors, algorithms, and steps described here.

[0055] Fig. 3 illustrates an example of measurements of the back electromotive force of a stepper motor during the movement of a piston configured to move a moving element of a valve body.

[0056] The motor is, for example, a bipolar stepper motor with four wires, two for a phase designated A and two for a phase designated B, in a mode where, when phase A is activated, phase B is in high impedance, and when phase B is activated, phase A is in high impedance. The back electromotive force is measured on a high-impedance phase.

[0057] The point noted 31 called first stop is subsequently called stop IN which corresponds to a position in which the piston 103 is totally retracted into the motorized thermostatic head 100. A jump in the value of the back electromotive force between the first step and the following ones appears.

[0058] Between point 31 and point 32, the piston moves in the OUT direction but is not in contact with the moving element 106 of the valve body 104.

[0059] At point 32 the piston comes into contact with the moving element of the valve body 104.

[0060] Between points 32 and 33, a stress zone appears during piston contact with the moving element of the valve body 104.

[0061] Point 33 represents the beginning of the opening of the conduit 105 of the valve body 104.

[0062] Between points 33 and 35 is located the opening range of the conduit 105 of the body of valve 104.

[0063] Point 35 represents the beginning of the compression of the seal 107 of the valve body 104, and point 35 is called the second stop or OUT stop which corresponds to the total closure of the conduit 105.

[0064] Figure 4 schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm executed by a controller to calibrate a valve body according to the present invention.

[0065] The present algorithm is, for example, executed by the Cont controller. When the present algorithm is activated, the algorithms as described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 are activated.

[0066] At step E400, the controller Cont commands the rotation of the motor Mot by a number of steps, for example 10, in the OUT direction to be located in an area which does not correspond to a stop and thus obtain at least one sampling of the signal representative of the back electromotive force during the execution of the half step which does not correspond to a stop.

[0067] At step E401, the Cont controller checks if the rotation of the Mot motor of 10 steps in the OUT direction is complete.

[0068] If yes, the Cont controller proceeds to step E402. If no, the Cont controller returns to step E401.

[0069] At step E402, the Cont controller commands the rotation of the Mot motor in the IN direction by a number of half steps, for example 6000 if the stroke of the moving element is 5mm.

[0070] At step E403, the Cont controller checks whether an IN stop has been detected by the algorithm described with reference to [Fig.5].

[0071] If yes, the Cont controller proceeds to step E405. If no, the Cont controller proceeds to step E404.

[0072] At step E404, the Cont controller checks if the rotation of the Mot motor of 6000 half steps in the IN direction is complete.

[0073] If yes, the Cont controller interrupts the current algorithm; calibration has failed. If no, the Cont controller returns to step E403.

[0074] At step E405, the Cont controller records the position of the IN stop and commands the rotation of the Mot motor by 6000 half steps in the OUT direction.

[0075] At step E406, the Cont controller checks whether an OUT stop has been detected by the algorithm described with reference to [Fig.5].

[0076] If yes, the Cont controller proceeds to step E410. If no, the Cont controller proceeds to step E407.

[0077] At step E407, the Cont controller checks whether the opening range of the conduit 105 of the valve body 104 has been detected by the algorithm as described in [Fig.6]. The opening range is called zone 23.

[0078] If yes, the Cont controller proceeds to step E408. If no, the Cont controller proceeds to step E409.

[0079] At step E408, the Cont controller memorizes the minimum and maximum positions of zone 23 and proceeds to step E509.

[0080] At step E409, the Cont controller checks if the rotation of the Mot motor of 6000 half steps in the OUT direction is complete.

[0081] If yes, the Cont controller interrupts the current algorithm and commands the generation of a message or signal via a human-machine interface indicating calibration failure. If no, the Cont controller returns to step E406.

[0082] At step E410, the Cont controller checks whether the opening range of the conduit 105 of the valve body 104 has been detected by the algorithm as described in [Fig.6].

[0083] If yes, the Cont controller proceeds to step E411. If no, the Cont controller proceeds to step E412.

[0084] At step E411, the Cont controller memorizes the minimum and maximum positions of zone 23 and the position of the OUT stop, interrupts the present algorithm and uses the minimum and maximum positions of zone 23 and the position of the OUT stop as the control range of the motor 101.

[0085] At step E412, the Cont controller memorizes the position of the OUT stop and interrupts the present algorithm.

[0086] Figure 5 schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm executed by a controller according to the present invention to detect stops.

[0087] The present algorithm is for example executed by the Cont controller from step E402 of [Fig.4].

[0088] This algorithm makes it possible to detect the first and second stops.

[0089] At step E501, the Cont controller controls the sampling of the signal representative of the back electromotive force during the execution of the half step.

[0090] In the next step E502, the Cont controller checks whether the half step has been executed. If so, the Cont controller proceeds to step E503 and if not, the Cont controller returns to step E502.

[0091] At step E503, the controller Cont calculates an average M; of the samples obtained during the half step.

[0092] At step E504, the controller Cont checks if the difference between the mean Mi and a mean M^ is greater than a predetermined threshold Max. The mean Mm is the average of the samples obtained during the execution of a previous half-step.

[0093] If the difference between the mean Mi and a mean M^ is greater than the predetermined threshold Max, the controller Cont proceeds to step E506. In the negative, the controller Cont proceeds to step E505.

[0094] At step E505, the controller Cont sets the value of the average M^ to the value of the average M; and then returns to step E501.

[0095] At step E506, the Cont controller determines that one of the stops 31 or 35 is detected.

[0096] At step E507, the Cont controller checks if the direction of rotation of the motor is in the IN direction.

[0097] If yes, the Cont controller proceeds to step E509. If no, the Cont controller proceeds to step E508.

[0098] At step E508, the Cont controller determines that the stop 35 is detected and proceeds to step E510.

[0099] At step E509, the Cont controller determines that the stop 31 is detected and proceeds to step E510.

[0100] At step E510, the Cont controller commands the motor to stop.

[0101] Figure 6 schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm executed by a controller according to the present invention to detect the opening range of the valve body conduit.

[0102] The present algorithm is for example executed by the Cont controller from step E404 of [Fig.4].

[0103] This algorithm makes it possible to detect the opening range of the duct of the valve body, that is to say the area between points 33 and 35 of [Fig.3].

[0104] At step E600, the Cont controller initializes the variables and moving averages.

[0105] At step E601, the Cont controller commands the movement of the motor in the direction OUT.

[0106] In the next step E602, the Cont controller controls the sampling of the signal representative of the back electromotive force during the execution of the half step.

[0107] In the next step E603, the Cont controller checks whether the half step has been executed. If so, the Cont controller proceeds to step E604 and if not, the Cont controller returns to step E603.

[0108] At step E604, the controller Cont calculates an average M'; of the samples obtained during the half step and a moving average Mg'i on the 16 averages obtained for the 16 half steps previously executed.

[0109] At step E605, the controller Cont calculates the absolute value of the difference between the moving average Mg'i and the average M' of the samples obtained during the half step and checks if this is greater than a predetermined value denoted Maxzone for example equal to 30.

[0110] If not, the Cont controller returns to step E602.

[0111] If so, the Cont controller proceeds to step E606.

[0112] At step E606, the area called zone 23 between points 33 and 35 of [Fig.3] is memorized.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for setting the parameters of a motorized thermostatic head of a thermostatic valve for the control and regulation of a domestic heating system with fluid circulation in a room of a building, the thermostatic valve comprising a valve body and the motorized thermostatic head, the motorized thermostatic head comprising a stepper motor for moving a piston of the thermostatic head, the movement of the piston causing a movement of a movable element of the valve body, the movable element of the valve body allowing all or part of the fluid to circulate or not allowing fluid to circulate in the valve body, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: - controlling (E405) the rotation of the stepper motor by a predetermined number of half-steps to cause the movement of the movable element of the valve body through the entire stroke of the movable element in the valve body,- measurement at each half step of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor, - detection (E406) from the measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor of a stop that corresponds to a total closure of the conduit and does not allow fluid to flow in the valve body, - detection (E411) from the measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor of an opening range of the conduit of the valve body, - use (E411) of the stop that corresponds to a total closure of the conduit and of the opening range of the conduit of the valve body to control the moving element.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: - controlling the rotation of the stepper motor by a predetermined number of half-steps to cause the piston to move to a position in which the piston is fully retracted into the motorized thermostatic head, - detecting, from measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor, a stop that corresponds to the position in in which the piston is fully retracted into the motorized thermostatic head.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stops are detected by comparing the difference between the average of the measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor during a half step and the average of the measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor during a previous half step to a first predetermined threshold.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening range of the valve body conduit is detected by comparing the absolute value of the difference between a moving average of measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor during a given number of half steps and an average of measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor during a half step at a second predetermined threshold.

5. A device for setting the parameters of a motorized thermostatic head of a thermostatic valve for the control and regulation of a domestic heating system with fluid circulation in a room of a building, the thermostatic valve comprising a valve body and the motorized thermostatic head, the motorized thermostatic head comprising a stepper motor for moving a piston of the thermostatic head, the movement of the piston causing a movement of a movable element of the valve body, the movable element of the valve body allowing all or part of, or not allowing, fluid to circulate in the valve body, characterized in that the device comprises: - means for controlling the rotation of the stepper motor by a predetermined number of half-steps to cause the movement of the movable element of the valve body through the entire stroke of the movable element in the valve body,- means for measuring the back electromotive force of the stepper motor at each half step, - means for detecting, from the measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor, a stop that corresponds to a total closure of the conduit and prevents fluid from circulating in the valve body,

6.

7. - means of detection based on measurements of the back electromotive force of the stepper motor over a range of valve body duct opening, - means of using the stop which corresponds to a total closure of the conduit and the opening range of the conduit of the valve body to control the moving element. Product computer program comprising instructions to implement, by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, when said program is executed by said processor. Information storage medium storing a computer program comprising instructions for implementing, by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, when said program is read and executed by said processor.