WO2010046311A2

WO2010046311A2 - Energy supply unit

Info

Publication number: WO2010046311A2
Application number: PCT/EP2009/063545
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ralf Hying; Peter Niedermeier; Oskar Schallmoser
Original assignee: Osram Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung
Priority date: 2008-10-22
Filing date: 2009-10-16
Publication date: 2010-04-29
Also published as: WO2010046311A3

Abstract

The energy supply unit (2) comprises at least one energy storage means (4) and at least one interface for connecting an energy generator (3) for charging the energy storage means (4) and at least one power supply connection (5, 6, 7, 11-15) that can be fed through the energy storage means (4), wherein the at least one power supply connection (5, 6, 7, 11-15) is provided to supply a user with standby power and/or a charging current by way of the energy storage means (4). The energy supply system comprises at least one energy supply unit (2) and at least one energy generator (3) that feeds the at least one energy supply unit (2). In the method for energy supply, at least one user to be supplied exclusively by standby power and/or charging current is fed from an energy storage medium (4), and the energy storage medium (4) is charged by way of an energy generator (3).

Description

description

Power supply unit

The invention relates to a power supply unit, a power supply system and a method for power supply.

Many home and office electronic devices, such as personal computers, televisions, cell phone chargers, ringer and intercom systems (when not needed) are in standby mode, enabling them to be activated by remote control or a simple power button. In standby mode, several watts are continuously drawn from the power grid. This willingness causes electricity costs in every household throughout the year without any direct benefit, except a certain comfort. So far, individual power supplies are used, which are supplied directly from the normal power grid, z. Power adapters, standby power supplies in PCs, televisions, receivers, routers and cordless phones.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a way to reduce power consumption from the public power grid.

This object is achieved by means of a power supply unit, a power supply system and a method for supplying energy. Preferred embodiments are in particular the dependent claims.

The energy supply unit has at least one energy store, at least one interface for connecting a power generation unit for charging the energy storage unit and at least one power supply connection that can be fed via the energy storage unit, wherein the at least one power supply connection serves to supply one Consumer is provided with Standbystrom and / or charging current by means of the energy storage unit.

By means of the energy unit, an existing in addition to the usual public utility grid energy supply infrastructure is created, which is intended only to supply consumers with Standbystrom and / or charging current. Since this energy supply infrastructure can be supplied with energy by means of a power generation unit not provided by the public supply network, the entire standby and charging power from the public supply network can be saved.

While in principle the type of energy storage unit is not limited, and may include capacitors, including double-layer capacitors, or superconducting coils, however, an energy storage unit is preferred for low-cost energy storage with high life and low self-discharge having at least one accumulator.

It is preferred for low-cost autonomous power supply when the (autonomous) power generation unit has a photovoltaic system and / or a wind turbine.

Furthermore, a power supply unit is preferred in which at least one power supply connection for a consumer has an on-board power socket. The on-board power outlet is preferably operated with 12 V or 24 V.

In addition, a power supply unit is preferred in which at least one power supply connection for a consumer has a connection for a data cable. In this case, it is particularly preferred if the connection for the data cable has a connection for a coaxial cable, in particular a connection for an antenna cable.

It is also preferred if the connection for the data cable has a connection for a telephone cable.

It is also preferable if the connection for the data cable has a connection for a network cable.

Also preferred is a power supply unit, which furthermore has a control unit which is set up to detect a charging current demand of a connected consumer and, after a positive determination, to cause the energy storage unit to supply the associated power supply connection for a limited period of time. For example, commercially available chargers for mobile phones can be connected to intelligent 12 V on-board sockets.

It is then particularly preferred if the electronic control unit can determine by periodic (eg every five minutes), momentary "switching on" of the socket, whether there is actually a current requirement (for example by detecting whether a current consumption is above a predetermined threshold value). and then this socket is set for continuous power for a limited period of time. The duration of time may be limited by the charging process being completed (detected, for example, by the current consumption decreasing again below the predetermined threshold), or by the socket being fed for an adjustable fixed period of time. This period of time can be set, for example, depending on the charge capacity of the energy store.

Also preferred is a power supply unit, which also has at least one connection to a public power supply network, wherein the power supply unit is set up to remove the energy required for powering the consumers connected to them by falling below a predetermined amount of residual energy in the energy storage unit by means of the power supply from the mains.

In particular, a power supply unit is preferred, which is intended and designed for use in the home, so z. B. for houses or apartments.

A power supply unit is furthermore preferred, which is set up to be supplied with energy via at least one of the power supply connections. The power supply terminals are thus bidirectionally usable for the power supply of consumers by means of the power supply system and for feeding energy into the power supply system. This achieves a high level of flexibility in the selection of energy sources and also provides a variety of connection options.

The energy supply system has at least one such energy supply unit and at least one energy generating unit supplying the at least one energy supply unit.

The method for power supply, in which at least one consumer is supplied to supply exclusively with Standbystrom and / or charging current from an energy storage and the energy storage is charged from an energy generating unit.

In the following figure, the invention will be described schematically with reference to an embodiment schematically. The figure shows a sketch of a power supply system according to the invention. The figure shows a power supply system 1, comprising a power supply unit 2 and a power supply unit 2 feeding power generation unit 3 in the form of a photovoltaic system, which is connected to the power supply unit 2 via a corresponding interface 17.

The energy supply unit 2 has an accumulator 4 as an energy store, which can supply a plurality of power supply connections 5 for supplying a respective load (not shown) with standby current and / or charging current. Specifically, the power supply terminals 5 include a set of on-board power outlets 6 and a set of data cable outlets 7.

To the on-board sockets (car sockets) 6, which are designed here as a 12 V car power sockets, for example, commercially available 12 V power cord for mobile phones can be connected.

The power supply unit 2 has a control unit 8 which is adapted to a charging current demand of a consumer connected to one of the on-board power outlets 6, z. As a mobile phone, and to determine after positive determination, the energy storage unit to feed the associated on-board power outlet 6 for a limited period of time from the accumulator 3. The on-board power sockets 6 are thus 'intelligent' designed to the effect that they only turn on to charge a connected consumer when there is a need and are otherwise in a 'Bedarffeststell- mode', which is particularly energy-efficient.

So here in Bedarffeststellmodus the on-board power outlet 6 only in longer, regular intervals, z. B. between one minute and five minutes for about 100 ms, supplied with energy from the accumulator 4. The control electronics 8 determines in these short switch-on periods, whether the consumer has a power requirement. This can be done for example by detecting whether a power consumption is within a short switch-on period above a predetermined threshold. If positive determination that there is a charging current requirement, this socket 6 is then set for a limited period of time for continuous current. The duration of time may be limited by the charging process being completed (detected, for example, by the consumer's power consumption falling below the predetermined threshold again), or by the socket being fed for an adjustable fixed period of time.

To set and read the charging time, the power supply unit 2 also has a display 9 and an input unit (keyboard) 10. The charging period can be set separately for each of the on-board power outlets 6. It can be provided a maximum charging time. It can also be provided to feed a shipboard power outlets 6 without setting a time duration only at the push of a button for a predetermined period of time, which simplifies operation. This simplified operation may be provided additionally or alternatively to the individual setting of the charging time. The termination of the charging process or the switching off of the on-board power socket 6 on the basis of a detection of a charging current or other charging state parameter (eg a voltage level) may be provided additionally or alternatively to the activation of the on-board power socket 6 for a specific period of time.

Also, the type of consumer is not limited and may include consumers who were not previously provided for connection to an on-board power outlet in a car. These consumers would have to have only one suitable plug. Thus, for example, a charging current requirement can also be set for electric toothbrushes, which have a plug which is suitable for the on-board power sockets 6. sen. Charging, for example, night lights, clock alarms, remote controls and even cordless screwdrivers, etc. can be optimally arranged as needed and power availability by the intelligent controller. Remote controls could z. B. with lithium batteries or HiCAps directly on the device to be operated.

To the data cable connections 7 more consumers who use a data cable can be connected to cover their standby power requirements. This is done so that the standby power is supplied by the power supply unit 2 via the respective data cable and not from the public power grid. As a result, an existing data infrastructure can also be used for power transmission. This is especially possible because the power consumption in standby mode is comparatively low. For example, IR receivers of a remote control have power consumption in the lower mA range, and controllers that process remote control signals require only microamps in sleep mode. Blinking standby LEDs can be realized even in sunlight in the 100 μA range.

One type of data cable connector 7 may be a connector 11 for an antenna cable, which is usually coaxial cable. For example, televisions, hard disk recorders, DVB-T, DVB-S and DVB-C receivers or cable amplifiers can be powered directly via the already laid coax lines, which corresponds to a kind of phantom power.

Another type of data cable connector 7 may be a telephone cable connector 12. A power supply, for example, a telephone system is possible over existing telephone lines. Thus, telephone cables are usually laid with at least four wires, of which only two are needed. The two other wires can then be used for power supply. Thus, on any telephone line also a supply for z. B. a base station or an answering machine are laid.

Yet another type of data cable connection 7 may be a connection 13 for a network cable. As a result, network-capable devices can be supplied with power via the existing network cables, at least in standby mode. Ethernet cables or other LAN cables, such as routers, NTBAs, computers, printers, etc., can be used as network cables.

With a power supply for standby operation via the data cable, the network-capable devices can be adapted to it. For example, a computer typically has a small power supply for its standby power supply in its power supply. This standby power supply could be omitted without a loss of comfort occurs.

Yet another type of terminal 5 may be a low voltage lead terminal 14. Modern installation systems with a low-voltage control and central or decentralized actuators can be fed, for example, about it, for. B. Remote control for garage doors or garden gate drives. Also, for example, a bell and intercom system can be powered directly about it; it may thus be possible, in particular, to use solar cells possibly present on such devices for feeding the central accumulator 4, which in turn feeds the devices. In particular, such a light-dependent control option can be achieved, for. Example, by the power supply unit 2 detects whether the solar cells provide energy to them ("sunny" or "bright") and the power supply unit 2 then does not feed the equipped with the solar cell devices, while with little or less generated by the solar cells Energy the power supply unit 2 feeds equipped with the solar cell devices. This corresponds to an automatically adjustable unidirectional power line from and to the energy supply unit 2. This light-dependent control option is particularly advantageous for a door sign lighting and a readiness of light sensors, but not limited thereto or limited to this type of terminals or energy sources.

Other possible consumers with low demand can of course be connected via further, possibly proprietary connections 15 without or with little additional installation effort to the power supply unit 2, z. B. a solar pump controls.

The power supply system 1 is further configured to be powered by the power supply terminals 5 and 6, 7, 11, 14, respectively. The power supply terminals 5 are thus bidirectionally usable for the power supply of consumers by means of the power supply system 1 and for feeding energy into the power supply system 1. Thus, the terminal 11 may be used for an antenna cable as an interface to a solar system, the energy via an antenna cable into the power supply system 1 feeds; This has the advantage that a mostly also a roof anyway existing antenna cable for energy transport can be used and no separate wiring is needed more. Also, by means of the bidirectional connections also an easy way an off-grid rental battery o. Ä. To be connected to the power supply system 1, z. B. if there is no access to a public supply network. The connectable via the power supply terminals 5 and 6,7,11- 14 energy sources are preferably protected against a power supply from the power supply system 1, z. For example, an accumulator may be protected against short circuits and reverse polarity. For example, it is possible to selectively select the current feeding direction for each of the power supply terminals 5 and 6, 7, 11, 14, e.g. B. via the input unit 10th In the event that the operation of the power supply unit 2, even in prolonged darkness (in the case of a Photovoltaikan- location as an energy producer), slack (in the case of a wind turbine as an energy producer) or higher power consumption, etc., is guaranteed, the power supply unit 2 further comprises at least one network connection 16 (electrical connection to a public power grid) on. Then, the power supply unit 2 can run an "emergency power operation" in which the energy required to feed the consumers is taken from the power grid.

Preferably, the energy supply unit 2 is then configured to remove the power required for the power supply from the power grid when falling below a predetermined amount of residual energy in the accumulator.

In most existing power supplies can be omitted in principle, the existing standby power supply and be ensured by a connection to the telephone line, the coaxial cable or the LAN cable, the supply. As an alternative, of course, for a "Non Domestic Grid" budget, the standby supply still remain populated.

The power supply unit 2 need not be present in a compact unit, but may be decentralized over the area to be supplied, for. As a house or apartment, distributed. Thus, a part of the power supply unit 2 may be connected to the telephone line terminals, the external networks (ISDN, DSL, etc.) and / or the antenna, while the accumulator is in a different room and the terminals in an apartment, for example located, if necessary in different rooms. Also, the power supply system 1 is preferably arranged decentralized, z. B. with a solar panel on a roof. The solar panel or other power source (eg, a wind generator) that provides the power supply outside the normal power grid are preferably on or in the Attached to the associated consumers or data generators, such as: on a bell button field, on a garage door, on the SAT LNB, on a garden path lighting, on a roof antenna, etc.

The power supply unit 2 is scalable, i. h. that they z. B. can be used in the home as a "Domestic Grid" system for both small apartments and larger houses.

An integration in so-called "off-grid" systems is possible.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.

Reference numeral

1 power supply system

2 power supply unit

3 photovoltaic system

4 accumulator

5 power supply connection

6 on-board power outlet

7 data cable connection

8 control unit

9 display unit

10 input unit

11 Connection for an antenna cable

12 Connection for a telephone cable

13 Connection for a network cable

14 Connection for low voltage wires

15 proprietary connection

16 mains connection

17 interface

Claims

claims

1. Energy supply unit (2), comprising:

at least one energy store (4),

at least one interface (17) for connecting a power generator (3) for charging the energy store (4),

at least one power supply connection (5, 6, 7, 11, 15), which can be fed via the energy store (4),

- Wherein the at least one power supply terminal

(5,6,7,11-15) for supplying a consumer with Standbystrom and / or charging current by means of the energy storage (4) is provided.

Second energy supply unit (2) according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage unit comprises an accumulator (4).

3. Energy supply unit (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the energy generator is a photovoltaic system

(3) and / or a wind turbine.

4. Energy supply unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one power supply terminal for a consumer an on-board voltage connection (6).

5. Energy supply unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one power supply terminal for a consumer has a connection (7) for a data cable.

6. energy supply unit (2) according to claim 5, wherein the connection for the data cable (7) has a connection for a coaxial cable, in particular antenna cable (11).

7. Power supply unit (2) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the connection (7) for the data cable has a connection for a telephone cable (12).

8. Power supply unit (2) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the connection (7) for the data cable has a connection for a network cable (13).

9. energy supply unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control unit

(8), which is adapted to determine a charging current demand of a connected consumer and to cause positive determination of the energy storage device (4), the associated power supply connection

(6) for a limited period of time.

10. Energy supply unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one network connection (16), wherein the energy supply unit

(2) is set up to remove the energy required for the power supply by means of the mains connection (16) from the power grid when a predetermined amount of residual energy in the energy storage device is not reached.

11. Energy supply unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed for use in the home.

12. Energy supply unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, which is adapted to be powered via at least one of the power supply terminals (5,6,7,11- 15) with energy.

13. Energy supply system, comprising at least one energy supply unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one of the at least one ne power supply unit (2) supplying power generator (3).

14. A method of energy supply, wherein at least one

Consumers for supply exclusively with standby current and / or charging current from an energy store

(4) is supplied and the energy storage (4) by means of an energy generator (3) is charged.