Case studies > Complete Ecosystem for Smart Fireplaces

Complete Ecosystem for Smart Fireplaces

A well-known European fireplace manufacturer, Bef Home, decided to embrace innovation by adding electronic control to its fireplaces, allowing remote control from a mobile device. In collaboration with their previous supplier, they attempted to develop their own control units, but the results were ultimately unsatisfactory due to large dimensions, low intuitiveness, and high system implementation costs.

Disappointed by previous unsuccessful attempts, Bef Home began searching for a new partner to provide a reliable, innovative solution that would offer a competitive edge. This led Bef Home to reach out to us at ASN Plus with a request to fully redesign their existing solution.

The goal was to create a compact, modern, and user-friendly ecosystem that would enable smart, intuitive control of the fireplace through a modern mobile app with remote access over the internet.

Knowing that thousands of these fireplaces are sold each year, we emphasized cost optimization and manufacturing efficiency from the very beginning, ensuring the solution would be cost-effective while meeting all requirements for industrial-grade quality and reliability. Another requirement was to create a minimal product version that could easily be expanded with additional functions through extension modules.

At the core of the main control unit is the powerful ESP32-S3 microcontroller, which integrates Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication capabilities and performs the key functions of the entire ecosystem. This unit processes signals from various analog and digital sensors, including common types such as OneWire, PT100, and PT1000, as well as standard sink, source, and push-pull logic. These input signals are then used for efficient combustion regulation. Additionally, the unit controls the electronic opening of the fireplace door and notifies users when the fuel level is running low.

Another essential component of the control system is the electronic servo for air intake control. This servo supports coexisting with manual control so that the fireplace remains functional even in the event of a power outage. This unit is based on the STM32C0 microcontroller, an affordable and available alternative to older 8-bit microcontrollers from ST. For motor control, we used high-quality Trinamic drivers and a magnetic encoder for feedback control. Communication between this secondary unit and the main control unit is achieved through the LIN interface.

A backup power supply module (UPS) was also created to maintain fireplace operation in case of a short power outage.

In this development phase, we implemented OTA (Over-The-Air) firmware updates to enable simple wireless firmware updates directly via the mobile app, ensuring long-term support and device updates without the need for physical intervention.

Another key feature of our solution was the development of a user-friendly mobile app that offers full control over the fireplace. Users can remotely control their fireplace, even from thousands of kilometers away. For instance, the app allows users to schedule the fireplace to ignite before they arrive home, ensuring a warm welcome. Another function is a notification for when the fire is going out, alerting users to add another log. Users can also easily adjust the intensity of the fire, and the electronics ensure that the desired temperature is maintained.

Following our best practices at ASN Plus, we chose the Flutter framework for mobile app development, leveraging our extensive experience with this platform. This modern cross-platform tool not only enables efficient and rapid development but also delivers significant cost savings for our clients.

Finally, we implemented the Matter communication protocol in the main control unit, enabling integration of fireplaces into home automation systems such as Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Home Assistant. We also implemented the Modbus TCP protocol for integration with professional automation systems from companies like Siemens, ABB, and Beckhoff.

Our collaboration with Bef Home continues, supporting their serial production and adapting innovations based on their customers' needs.