Communication module adaptor

A communication module adaptor adapted for mating with a device connector of a smart electronic device includes an adaptor circuit having a communication module and an adaptor connector coupled to the adaptor circuit. The communication module has a mating interface differing from a mating interface of the device connector such that the communication module is unable to directly connect to the device connector. The adaptor connector has a mating interface complementary to the mating interface of the device connector for mating with the device connector to electrically connect the communication module adaptor to the smart electronic device. The adaptor circuit electrically connects the adaptor connector and the communication module and control signals are transmitted from a controller of the communication module to the device connector of the smart electronic device via the adaptor connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter herein relates generally to communication module adaptors.

Demand management systems, such as smart grid systems allow utility companies and/or consumers to control energy use and energy cost using smart electronic devices, such as home appliances, electronics, and the like. The smart grid provides technology and systems that allow utility companies and/or consumers to automatically manage energy use and cost. The smart grid system controls when and how the smart electronic devices are operated, such as to manage energy use more efficiently and allows the power companies to maintain grid stability.

Smart grid systems use communication modules coupled to the smart electronic devices via device connectors to control operation of the smart electronic devices. Conventional communication modules and device connectors have many competing standards that define the type of connections, the form factor of the connectors, the communication protocol, and the like. The communication modules are not interchangeable and a communication module manufactured in accordance with one specification is not useable with a smart electronic device manufactured according to a different specification. As a result, communication module manufacturers may not always support all smart electronic device interfaces for a given standard. As such, some smart electronic devices may be unable to connect to the smart grid in a given region.

A need remains for communication module adaptors that allow interconnection and intercommunication between different smart grid system components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a communication module adaptor adapted for mating with a device connector of a smart electronic device is provided that includes an adaptor circuit, a communication module coupled to the adaptor circuit and an adaptor connector coupled to the adaptor circuit. The communication module has a mating interface differing from a mating interface of the device connector such that the communication module is unable to directly connect to the device connector. The communication module has a controller configured to receive data and control operation of the smart electronic device based on the received data. The adaptor connector has a mating interface complementary to the mating interface of the device connector. The adaptor connector is configured to be mated with the device connector to electrically connect the communication module adaptor to the smart electronic device. The adaptor circuit electrically connects the adaptor connector and the communication module and control signals are transmitted from the controller of the communication module to the device connector of the smart electronic device via the adaptor connector.

Optionally, the adaptor connector may include a plug and a plurality of contacts defining the mating interface of the adaptor connector. The plug and contacts may be configured to be plugged into the device connector. The contacts may be terminated to the adaptor circuit. Data may be transmitted by the contacts. Power may be transmitted by the contacts to power the communication module. Optionally, the communication module adaptor may include a power converter coupled to the adaptor circuit. The power converter may convert the power from the contacts from AC power to DC power to power the communication module.

Optionally, the communication module adaptor may include a protocol converter coupled to the adaptor circuit to convert a protocol of the control signals transmitted from the communication module. The communication module may operate in accordance with a first protocol and the smart electronic device operates in accordance with a second protocol. The control signals may be transmitted from the controller of the communication module to a protocol converter coupled to the adaptor circuit. The protocol converter may convert the control signals from the first protocol to the second protocol and then the control signals may be transmitted from the protocol converter to the device connector of the smart electronic device via the adaptor connector.

Optionally, the communication module may be contained within the adaptor housing. The communication module may includes a circuit card having a card edge defining the mating interface of the communication module. The mating interface of the adaptor connector may include a plug having contacts held in the plug.

Optionally, the communication module adaptor may include a socket connector coupled to the adaptor circuit. The communication module may be plugged into the socket connector to electrically connect the communication module to the adaptor circuit.

Optionally, the controller of the communication module may receive data wirelessly. The controller of the communication module may receive data across the matting interface of the adaptor connector from the smart electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein are for use in smart grid systems to allow consumers to control energy use and energy cost using smart electronic devices. The smart grid provides technology and systems that allow consumers to automatically manage their energy use and cost. The smart grid system controls when and how the smart electronic devices are operated, such as to manage energy use more efficiently and enables consumers to save money and power providers to maintain grid stability.

Embodiments described herein provide connections between various communication modules and smart electronic devices. Embodiments described herein may provide interchangeability or interconnectivity of communication modules with various smart electronic devices.

Embodiments described herein provide communication module adaptors that may allow communication modules having different form factors or operating on different communication protocols to interconnect with a smart electronic device. For example, the smart electronic device may be designed to interact with a particular type of communication module having a predetermined form factor and mating interface and configured for use with a predetermined protocol for communication. Other smart electronic devices may be used with communication modules that have a different form factor and mating interface and that use a different protocol for communication. The communication module adaptors described herein allow connection and communication between communication modules and smart electronic devices that have different form factors and mating interfaces or that use different communication protocols. For example, embodiments of communication module adaptors described herein allow interconnectivity of communication modules that may not be particularly designed for a particular smart electronic device to be used with such smart electronic device. The communication module adaptors may change the form factor and mating interface of the communication module for physically connecting to a corresponding device connector of the smart electronic device. The communication module adaptors may change the communication protocol used by the communication module to allow communication with and control of the smart electronic device by communication modules designed to use a different communication protocol.

Embodiments described herein may be used with smart electronic devices, including home appliances, such as water heaters, clothes washers, clothes dryers, thermostats, pool pumps, refrigerators, dishwashers, and the like. Other types of smarts electronic devices include consumer electronics, HVAC equipment, lighting, communications, networking, residential generators, electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations, and the like. Communication modules may interface with the smart grid to control one or more operations of the smart electronic devices. The communication modules may communicate wirelessly with a smart grid or may communicate via a wired connection with the smart grid, such as through the smart electronic device itself. The smart grid may have a dynamic pricing structure for the power delivered by the smart grid to the smart electronic devices. Local rate and timing information may be communicated by the smart grid to the communication modules, for adjusting the control of the smart electronic devices. For example, within a consumer's home, smart meters or a home energy management system may be provided. Such smart meters or home energy management system may communicate with the communication module for controlling the smart electronic devices.

FIG. 1is a schematic illustration of a smart grid system100formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, a first smart electronic device102and a second smart electronic device104are both connected to the smart grid system100. Any number of smart electronic devices may be connected to the smart grid system100. The smart electronic devices102,104are powered by the smart grid system100. In an exemplary embodiment, data is communicated along the lines of the smart grid system100that supplies power to the smart electronic devices102,104in addition to power. The data may be processed to control the operation of the smart electronic devices102,104.

In an exemplary embodiment, first and second communication modules106,108, are connected to the first and second smart electronic devices102,104, respectively. For example, the first and second communication modules106,108are connected to first and second device connectors110,112of the first and second smart electronic devices102,104, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, first and second communication module adaptors114,116are used to connect the contact modules106,108to the device connectors110,112. The communication module adaptors114,116allow otherwise unmatable communication modules106,108to be physically coupled to the device connectors110,112to allow communication therebetween.

The communication modules106,108receive data from the smart grid system100for controlling the operation of the smart electronic devices102,104. Optionally, the communication modules106,108may receive data communicated over the lines of the smart grid system100that are hard wired to the smart electronic devices102,104. Optionally, the communication modules106,108may receive data from the smart grid system100wirelessly as opposed to receiving the data over the lines hardwired to the smart electronic devices102,104. Optionally, the communication modules106,108may receive data both wirelessly and across the lines hardwired to the smart electronic devices102,104. The communication modules106,108may both transmit and receive data in exemplary embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first communication module106differs from the second communication module108. For example, the first communication module106may have a different form factor than the second communication module108. The form factor is defined by the outer perimeter of the communication modules106,108at the mating interface thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the first communication module106has a large form factor, while the second communication module108has a small form factor. The first communication module106may have a different mating interface than the second communication module108. The mating interface may be used to mechanically and electrically connect the communication module106,108to another component, such as a corresponding connector on the smart electronic device102,104. The mating interface may define at least a portion of the form factor.

The first communication module106may operate using a different communication protocol than the second communication module108. For example, the first communication module106may be designed to operate under an RS-485 communication protocol while the second communication module108is designed to operate in accordance with an SPI communication protocol. Other types of communication modules may be provided that operate in accordance with other types of communication protocols in alternative embodiments.

The device connectors110,112are part of the smart electronic devices102,104, and define mating interfaces for the communication modules106,108to the smart electronic devices102,104. Optionally, the device connectors110,112may be socket connectors. Other types of connectors may be used in alternative embodiments. The device connectors110,112may be hard wired to the smart electronic devices102,104. The device connectors110,112may be mounted to an exterior panel or bezel of the smart electronic devices102,104such that the communication modules106,108may be connected to the device connectors110,112from outside of the smart electronic devices102,104.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first device connector110has a mating interface configured to be mated with a component having a complimentary mating interface. For example, the first device connector110may have a mating interface configured to mate with a particular type of communication module. Such communication module may be adapted to plug directly into the first device connector110. In the illustrated embodiment, the first communication module106is unable to be directly connected to the first device connector110, because the first communication module106has a mating interface that differs from the mating interface of the first device connector110. For example, the first communication module106is a small component having a small form factor and a small mating interface. The first device connector110has a relatively large size and large form factor defined by a large mating interface. The first communication module106is unable to directly plug into the first device connector110.

The first communication module adaptor114is provided to make an electrical connection between the first device connector110and the first communication module106. The first communication module adaptor114has a mating interface that is complementary to the mating interface of the first device connector110. The first communication module adaptor114is configured to be directly plugged into the first device connector110. The first communication module106is electrically connected to the first communication module adaptor114. The first communication module106is electrically connected to the first device connector110via the first communication module adaptor114. The first communication module adaptor114changes the form factor and/or communication protocol of the first communication module106to allow the first communication module106to be plugged into the first device connector110.

The second communication module adaptor116is provided to make an electrical connection between the second device connector112and the second communication module108. The second communication module adaptor116has a mating interface that is complementary to the mating interface of the second device connector112. The second communication module adaptor116is configured to be directly plugged into the second device connector112. The second communication module108is electrically connected to the second communication module adaptor116. The second communication module108is electrically connected to the second device connector112via the second communication module adaptor116. The second communication module adaptor116changes the form factor and/or communication protocol of the second communication module108to allow the second communication module108to be plugged into the second device connector112.

FIG. 2illustrates a portion of the smart gird system100showing the smart electronic device102and corresponding communication module adaptor114. In the illustrated embodiment, the smart electronic device102is a water heater, however may be any type of smart electronic device in alternative embodiments. The smart electronic device102includes the device connector110. The smart electronic device102includes a device housing120. The device connector110extends from the device housing120. A cord122extends from the smart electronic device102to connect the smart electronic device102to the smart grid system100(shown inFIG. 1). Optionally, the cord122may be a power cord. The cord122may be another type of cord or cable in an alternative embodiment. The cord122may supply power and/or data to the smart electronic device102.

Operation of the smart electronic device102may be controlled by the communication module106associated with the communication module adaptor114. The communication module adaptor114is used to electrically connect the communication module106to the smart electronic device102. The communication module adaptor114includes an adaptor housing130used to hold the communication module106. The adaptor housing130may protect the communication module106. For example, the communication module106may be designed to operate in a benign environment, while the smart electronic device102may be used in a more hostile environment. The adaptor housing130protects the small form factor communication module106from the more demanding environment.

The communication module adaptor114includes an adaptor connector132extending from the adaptor housing130. The adaptor connector132may include a plug134used to hold a plurality of contacts136(shown in phantom). The plug134and contacts136define a mating interface138of the adaptor connecter132. The adaptor connector132is configured to be plugged into the device connector110to electrically connect the communication module adaptor114to the smart electronic device102. Data and/or power may be transmitted from and/or to the smart electronic device102via the connection between the adaptor connector132and the device connector110.

The mating interface138is a complimentary mating interface to a mating interface140of the device connector110. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating interface140of the device connector110is a socket having a plurality of contacts142. The plug134is received in the socket such that the contacts136are electrically connected to the contacts142.

FIG. 3is an exploded view of the communication module adaptor114. The communication module adaptor114includes the adaptor housing130and the adaptor connector132extending from the adaptor housing130. The communication module adaptor114includes an adaptor circuit144housed within the adaptor housing130. Optionally, the adaptor circuit144may be part of an adaptor circuit board and may be referred to hereinafter as adaptor circuit board144; however, the adaptor circuit144may be provided without a circuit board in alternative embodiments, such as on a flex circuit, on another type of substrate, with wired connections between the components, and the like. The adaptor connector132is connected to the adaptor circuit board144. For example, the contacts136may be terminated to the adaptor circuit board144.

The communication module adaptor114includes a power converter146coupled to the adaptor circuit board144and a protocol converter148coupled to the adaptor circuit board144. The power converter146controls power supply to the communication module106. The communication module adaptor114includes a socket connector150coupled to the adaptor circuit board144. The communication module106is plugged into the socket connector150to electrically connect the communication module106to the adaptor circuit board144. The adaptor circuit board144electrically connects the communication module106to the adaptor connector132by traces or circuits on the adaptor circuit board144. Other types of electrically components may be part of the communication module adaptor114. Such electrical components may be coupled to the adaptor circuit board144and may affect communication of the communication module adaptor114and/or control of the smart electronic device102.

In an exemplary embodiment, the socket connector150defines a card edge connector having a plurality of contacts terminated to the adaptor circuit board144. The communication module106may include a card edge configured to be plugged into a slot the socket connector150. Other types of connections may be made between the socket connector150and the communication module106in alternative embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protocol converter148converts a communication protocol of the controls signals transmitted from the communication module106to the adaptor connector132. For example, the protocol converter148may convert the control signals from one communication protocol to a different communication protocol. For example, control signals transmitted by the communication module106may be converted by the protocol converter148to a different communication protocol prior to being transmitted to the adaptor connector132and the device connector110. Optionally, control signals received at the adaptor connector132from the device connector110may be converted from one communication protocol to a different communication protocol prior to transmitting the control signals to the communication module106.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protocol converter148includes a micro controller for controlling the operation thereof and/or for converting the control signals. The protocol converter148may include one or more drivers, filters, amplifies, or other electronic components therein. The protocol converter148allows communication between the communication module106and the smart electronic device102when the communication module106communicates at different protocol than the smart electronic device102. For example, the protocol converter148may convert control signals communicated in accordance with SPI communication protocol into control signals configured to be communicated in accordance with the RS-485 communication protocol, and vice versa.

The power converter146is used to provide power to the communication module106. For example, the power converter146may convert a power supply from the smart electronic device102to a power supply usable by the communication module106. For example, the power converter146may convert 110-240 AC line voltage to 5 volt DC for the communication module106.

The communication module106includes a controller152configured to receive data and control operation of the smart electronic device102. The controller152may receive the data wirelessly or by some other communication method or means. The controller152may receive data directly from the smart electronic device102via the connection between the adaptor connector132and the device connector110. The controller152may have hardware and/or software for controlling the operation of the smart electronic device102. The controller152may have hardware and/or software for generating control signals which are transmitted to the smart electronic device102.

The communication module106may control the operation of the smart electronic device102in accordance with pre-defined control algorithms. The control algorithms may be set by the consumer or user, or alternatively the control algorithms may be factory preset algorithms. The control algorithms may be changed or updated over time, such as based on information received by the communication module106. The communication module106may receive different types of information, which the control module106uses to control operations of the smart electronic device102. For example, the control module106may receive information relating to the price of energy, the amount of energy consumption on the smart grid, information relating to the status of the smart electronic device102, information relating to the status of the smart grid, and the like.

FIG. 4illustrates a portion of the smart gird system100showing the smart electronic device104and corresponding communication module adaptor116. In the illustrated embodiment, the smart electronic device104is a thermostat, however may be any type of smart electronic device in alternative embodiments. The smart electronic device104includes the device connector112. Being a relatively small smart electronic device, the device connector112associated therewith tends to have a small form factor. The smart electronic device104includes a device housing220. The device connector112extends from the device housing220. A cord222extends from the smart electronic device104to connect the smart electronic device104to the smart grid system100(shown inFIG. 1). Optionally, the cord222may be a signal cord, which may communication directly with another device, such as an HVAC unit. The cord222may be another type of cord or cable in an alternative embodiment. The cord222may supply data and/or power to the smart electronic device104.

Operation of the smart electronic device104may be controlled by the communication module108associated with the communication module adaptor116. The communication module adaptor116is used to electrically connect the communication module108to the smart electronic device104. The communication module adaptor116includes an adaptor housing230used to hold the other components thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the adaptor housing is defined by a substrate, to which other components are mounted and held. In alternative embodiments, the adaptor housing230may be a case that surrounds the other components of the communication module adaptor116

The communication module adaptor116includes an adaptor connector232extending from the adaptor housing230. In the illustrated embodiment, the adaptor connector232is a card edge of an adaptor circuit board234, which has a plurality of contacts236. The adaptor circuit board234and contacts236define a mating interface238of the adaptor connecter232. The adaptor connector232is configured to be plugged into the device connector112to electrically connect the communication module adaptor116to the smart electronic device104. Data and/or power may be transmitted from and/or to the smart electronic device104via the connection between the adaptor connector232and the device connector112.

The mating interface238is a complimentary mating interface to a mating interface240of the device connector112. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating interface240of the device connector112is a card edge slot having a plurality of contacts242. The card edge is received in the card edge slot such that the contacts236are electrically connected to the contacts242.

The communication module adaptor116may include a power converter246coupled to the adaptor circuit board234and a protocol converter248coupled to the adaptor circuit board234. The communication module adaptor116includes a socket connector250coupled to the adaptor circuit board234. Other types of electrically components may be part of the communication module adaptor116.

The communication module108is plugged into the socket connector250to electrically connect the communication module108to the adaptor circuit board234. The adaptor circuit board234electrically connects the communication module108to the adaptor connector232by traces or circuits on the adaptor circuit board234. In the illustrated embodiment, the communication module108has a form factor and mating interface that is too large for directly connecting to the device connector112. The communication module adaptor116converts the form factor and/or the communication protocol to allow the communication module108to be electrically connected to the smart electronic device104.

The communication module108includes a controller252configured to receive data and control operation of the smart electronic device104. The controller252may receive the data wirelessly or by some other communication method or means. The controller252may receive data directly from the smart electronic device104via the connection between the adaptor connector232and the device connector112.

FIG. 5illustrates another communication module adaptor300formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The communication module adaptor300is intermediate in form factor, as compared to the large form factor of the communication module adaptor114(shown inFIG. 1) and the small form factor of the communication module adaptor116(shown inFIG. 1). The communication module adaptor300is used to electrically connect the communication module106to a smart electronic device that is designed for use with a communication module having the form factor of the communication module adaptor300. The communication module adaptor116includes an adaptor housing330used to hold the other components thereof.

The communication module adaptor116includes an adaptor connector332extending from the adaptor housing330. An adaptor circuit board334is held in the adaptor housing330. The communication module adaptor116includes a socket connector350coupled to the adaptor circuit board334. In contrast to the communication module adaptor114, the communication module adaptor300does not include a power converter or a protocol converter. Other types of electrically components may be part of the communication module adaptor300.

The communication module106is plugged into the socket connector350to electrically connect the communication module106to the adaptor circuit board334. The adaptor circuit board334electrically connects the communication module106to the adaptor connector332by traces or circuits on the adaptor circuit board334.