Method and indoor temperature control device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating an indoor temperature control device (10), in particular a heating and / or air conditioning system, with which an indoor temperature of an indoor space (16) is regulated. It is proposed that in at least one procedural step (18) an expected absence of persons (26) be determined and in at least one further procedural step (20, 22, 24) the indoor temperature be regulated at least as a function of the expected absence of persons (26).

Description

State of the art

[0001] A method for operating an indoor temperature control device, in particular a heating and / or air conditioning system, with which an indoor temperature of an interior space is regulated, has already been proposed. Disclosure of the invention

[0002] The invention relates to a method for operating an indoor temperature control device, in particular a heating and / or air conditioning system, with which an indoor temperature of an interior space is regulated.

[0003] It is proposed that an expected absence of persons be determined and that the indoor temperature be regulated at least depending on the expected absence of persons.

[0004] The inventive design of the method advantageously enables low-cost operation, since energy consumption can be minimized by regulating the indoor temperature based on the expected occupancy. Advantageously, a high level of user comfort can be provided, as a comfortable temperature is ensured, particularly upon a user's return. Advantageously, particularly high temperature control efficiency can be achieved, as the indoor space is only heated when a user is present.

[0005] Preferably, the method is used to temperature-control at least one interior space, preferably of a building. The interior temperature control device is preferably operated as a heating system and / or an air conditioning system. Preferably, heat energy is supplied to and / or removed from the interior space for temperature control. Preferably, the method reduces the energy consumption of the interior temperature control device. Preferably, the method is designed as an energy-saving method that replaces an active interior temperature control program when occupancy is detected. Preferably, occupancy is detected as soon as the last person has left the interior space and / or no person is detected in the interior space. Preferably, the interior temperature is regulated at least as a function of the expected occupancy.Preferably, the absence of people in the interior space to be temperature-controlled is detected, for example, using a radar sensor, infrared sensor, and / or a comparable sensor of the indoor climate control device. Preferably, at least one duration and one point in time, in particular a start time, of the absence of people is detected and stored. Preferably, the expected absence of people is determined / calculated based on the detected and stored absence. Preferably, the detected and stored durations of the absences are assigned to a predefined period, for example, a time interval between two times, based on the times of the absences. For example, all detected durations of absence with a start time between 12:00 and 13:00 could be used as the basis for calculating the expected absence of people.In particular, the durations of person absence are divided into time periods, such as 5 minutes or 15 minutes, or the like. For example, the determined durations of person absence could be grouped / categorized. Alternatively, exact or rounded durations of person absence could also be considered. Specifically, the expected duration of person absence is defined as a time period, preferably weighted and divided into time periods, which is assigned to the time period. Preferably, the expected duration of person absence is defined as the duration of person absence with the highest probability of occurrence. Preferably, each time period containing a duration of person absence is weighted by the number of durations of person absence detected within that time period.It is conceivable that at least one alternative or further grouping / categorization, such as a season, a month, or another time period, could be considered. Alternatively, the expected employee absence could also be transmitted from a cloud. For example, the cloud could also determine external times, such as when employees leave the cafeteria and return to the office. A "time interval" should be understood to mean, in particular, a period of time with a defined start time and a defined end time. An "expected employee absence" should be understood to mean, in particular, a statistical probability of an employee absence linked to a start time and / or duration of employee absence, preferably an average duration of employee absence, such as break length.In particular, the duration of person absence is the duration of the person absence which has the highest probability.

[0006] Preferably, active control of the indoor temperature is deactivated when occupancy is detected. After active control of the indoor temperature is deactivated, the indoor temperature is left to its own devices. Preferably, the indoor temperature rises and falls naturally, depending, for example, on at least one outside temperature. Preferably, the rise and fall of the indoor temperature is achieved by switching off the indoor temperature control. It is conceivable that the indoor temperature control device is put into standby mode or deactivated. Preferably, the indoor temperature continues to be determined / measured even in standby mode or when the indoor temperature control device is switched off.Preferably, the indoor temperature control device is activated before the expected end of a break in such a way that the indoor temperature is at least substantially at the setpoint temperature before / at the start of the break when people are expected to return. Preferably, a setback temperature is determined at which the indoor temperature control device must be switched on at the latest, so that the setpoint temperature is at least substantially reached when people are expected to return. Preferably, active control of the indoor temperature is deactivated until the determined setback temperature is reached. A "natural increase / decrease" is understood to mean, in particular, a passive change in the indoor temperature, preferably without any heat input and / or heat output by the indoor temperature control device.In particular, when the indoor temperature control device is deactivated, the indoor temperature converges to an equilibrium temperature, preferably at least substantially to the outdoor temperature. It is conceivable that the indoor temperature remains at least substantially unchanged if the outdoor temperature corresponds at least substantially to the indoor temperature. The indoor temperature control device is only switched on when occupants are expected to return. A "setback temperature" is understood to be, in particular, an indoor temperature whose deviation from a target temperature can just be reduced to zero within a remaining time, preferably a period, until the expected return of a occupant.In this context, "at least substantially" is to be understood in particular as meaning that the deviation from a given value is in particular less than 25%, preferably less than 10% and most preferably less than 5% of the given value.

[0007] Furthermore, it is proposed that the expected absence of persons be automatically adjusted to user behavior. This offers a particularly high level of convenience, as changes in user behavior are automatically taken into account, eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustments through settings, such as those required by customer service. Preferably, the user behavior is defined as information about a specific time and / or duration of absence. Alternatively, additional information, such as sleep / rest time, could also be considered. Preferably, the automatic adjustment to user behavior is performed during operation and without any intervention from an operator or technician, such as during a setup and / or calibration process.Preferably, the automatic adjustment is performed continuously during operation. Preferably, the automatic adjustment of user behavior is carried out by an algorithm that learns from user behavior. The expected absence of persons is automatically adjusted to user behavior by automatically recording each subsequent absence, in particular each subsequent time and / or duration of absence, and factoring it into the expected absence. "Automatic adjustment" is understood to mean, in particular, a change carried out autonomously, preferably without any influence from an operator and / or a technician."User behavior" is understood to mean, in particular, the absence behavior of persons, for example, break behavior, especially the time and / or duration of the absence of the person(s) staying indoors, which is linked to a time of day / a time interval.

[0008] Furthermore, it is proposed that the expected absence of persons be determined by considering the times and / or durations of absences detected over a defined recording period. A particularly high degree of accuracy in the expected absence can be achieved, as changes in user behavior are automatically detected, and changes in the defined time period can be used to better reflect user behavior. For example, a recording period could be used to consider all detected times and durations of absences over the last 6 months or 4 weeks, or a comparable recording period deemed appropriate by experts. Alternatively, all previously measured times and durations of absence could be considered.It is conceivable that the detected durations of personal absences are weighted, with older events being weighted less and newer events being weighted more heavily.

[0009] Furthermore, it is proposed that the expected employee absence be determined based on at least one time interval. Advantageously, this allows for particularly high accuracy in the expected employee absence, as it enables consideration of absence expectations for different times of day. Preferably, the duration of the employee absence is based on the time interval if the start time of the absence falls within that interval. A time interval of one hour is preferably used as the defined time interval. It is also conceivable to define different time intervals for different absence scenarios. For example, a breakfast break could be defined from 8:00 to 10:00, a lunch break from 11:00 to 15:00, and an end-of-work event from 16:00 to 21:00.Alternatively, various absence scenarios are conceivable, for example, for applications in hotels, schools, trade fairs, or similar venues. It is conceivable that the time interval for each day of the week could be determined individually. For example, weekends could be excluded.

[0010] It is further proposed that the indoor temperature be additionally controlled at least as a function of a heating and / or cooling rate of the indoor space, which is automatically adjusted to a building characteristic value and / or an outdoor temperature. Advantageously, particularly high temperature control accuracy can be achieved, since the building characteristic value and / or the outdoor temperature are taken into account when regulating the indoor temperature. Preferably, a cooling or heating curve is generated automatically, depending on the outdoor and indoor temperatures, each time the indoor temperature control device is activated. Preferably, a heating rate and / or a cooling rate is determined, which depends at least on the outdoor and indoor temperatures.Preferably, a temperature gradient is determined that describes the heating and / or cooling rate as a function of the indoor and outdoor temperatures. Alternatively, the cooling curve could be determined in discrete time steps, for example, every 5 or 10 minutes. Preferably, the automatic generation of the cooling or heating curve and / or the determination of the heating and / or cooling rate is carried out during operation and without intervention by an operator or technician, such as during a setup and / or calibration process. Preferably, changes in the building characteristics are automatically detected. Preferably, the building characteristic value is determined by an algorithm that calculates a moving average over the past cooling and / or heating curves.In particular, the heating and / or cooling rates detected, especially over the recording period, are weighted, preferably with a moving average.

[0011] Furthermore, it is proposed that the indoor temperature be set to a target temperature as soon as occupancy is detected, particularly regardless of the expected absence of occupants. Advantageously, a high level of comfort can be provided, since the indoor temperature control device is automatically switched on, especially when occupancy is detected, particularly prematurely. Preferably, the target temperature for the indoor temperature is set upon detection of occupancy, preferably before / at the start of the period of absence. In particular, the indoor temperature control device is automatically switched on as soon as occupancy is detected. Preferably, the method is automatically deactivated upon detection of occupancy and replaced by active temperature control.Alternatively, a target temperature could be specified that depends on the outside temperature or the time of day.

[0012] Furthermore, it is proposed that the indoor temperature control be restarted after the end of the expected absence period if an absence is detected after the specified time. This approach offers the advantage of low costs, as the indoor temperature control device would be deactivated again at the end of the expected absence period if an absence is still detected. It is conceivable that, if an absence is detected after the expected absence period has expired, the process could be restarted with the next higher probability of occupancy returning. Alternatively, the process could continue with a fixed value for the duration and / or the indoor temperature, particularly with a reasonable setback temperature. Another alternative would be to extend the process by a fixed duration.Alternatively, it is conceivable that, upon detection of a person's absence, an active temperature control is initiated to restore the target temperature to that at the start time of the break. Alternatively, shorter breaks, such as smoking breaks or similar, could also be used as further indicators of expected person absence.

[0013] Additionally, an indoor temperature control device with at least one control unit is proposed, designed to regulate indoor temperature using the method described above. Advantages include low costs, as energy consumption can be minimized by regulating the indoor temperature based on the expected occupancy. A high level of user comfort is also advantageous, as a comfortable temperature is provided upon the user's return. Furthermore, particularly high temperature control efficiency is possible, as the indoor space is only heated when a user is present. The control unit could be an external unit, such as a cloud-based control unit.The term "control and / or regulation unit" refers in particular to a unit with at least one control electronics unit. "Control electronics" refers in particular to a unit with a processor unit, a memory unit, and an operating program stored in the memory unit. "Configured" refers in particular to specifically programmed, designed, and / or equipped. The fact that an object is configured for a specific function refers in particular to the fact that the object fulfills and / or executes this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0014] Furthermore, an indoor temperature control device is proposed, comprising at least one room monitoring sensor unit, in particular an infrared and / or radar sensor unit, configured to detect the presence of a person. Advantageously, this device offers low costs, as energy consumption can be minimized by regulating the indoor temperature based on the expected occupancy. Advantageously, it provides a high level of user comfort, as a comfortable temperature is ensured upon the user's return. Advantageously, it offers particularly high temperature control efficiency, as the indoor space is only heated when a user is present. Preferably, the radar sensor is configured to determine the presence or absence of a person by detecting their movement within the indoor space.Preferably, the infrared sensor is configured to detect the presence or absence of a person by measuring their body temperature inside the building. Preferably, the indoor temperature control device includes at least one indoor temperature sensor located within the space to be temperature-controlled. Preferably, the indoor temperature control device includes at least one outdoor temperature sensor configured to measure the outdoor temperature. Preferably, the indoor temperature control device includes at least one clock / calendar function configured to determine and / or evaluate times and durations.

[0015] The inventive method and the inventive indoor temperature control device are not to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the inventive method and the inventive indoor temperature control device may, to achieve a functionality described herein, have a different number of individual elements, components, units, and process steps than those specified herein. Furthermore, values ​​within the specified limits of the value ranges stated in this disclosure are also to be considered disclosed and freely usable. drawing

[0016] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawing. The drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention. The drawing, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

[0017] They show: Fig. 1 an indoor temperature control device with an indoor monitoring sensor unit, Fig. 2 a schematic flowchart of a procedure for temperature control and Fig. 3 a schematic setback temperature profile diagram of the temperature control. Description of the exemplary embodiment

[0018] The Fig. Figure 1 shows an indoor temperature control device 10. The indoor temperature control device 10 is configured as a heating and / or air conditioning system. The indoor temperature control device 10 is configured to regulate the temperature of an indoor space 16. The indoor space 16 is configured as a room within a building. The indoor temperature control device 10 is configured to supply and / or remove heat energy from the indoor space 16. The indoor temperature control device 10 includes a room monitoring sensor unit 14. The room monitoring sensor unit 14 is configured as an infrared and / or radar sensor unit. The room monitoring sensor unit 14 is configured to detect the presence / absence of persons. The room monitoring sensor unit 14 includes an indoor temperature sensor 44. The indoor temperature sensor 44 is configured to measure the indoor temperature in the indoor space 16.The room monitoring sensor unit 14 has an outdoor temperature sensor 46. The outdoor temperature sensor 46 is configured to measure the outdoor temperature outside the interior 16. Alternatively, the outdoor temperature could also be obtained from a weather service or a comparable external data source. The interior temperature control device 10 has a control unit 12. The control unit 12 is configured to determine an expected occupancy 26 (see . Fig. 3) The control unit 12 is configured to determine the heating and / or cooling rate of the interior space 16 during operation of the interior temperature control device 10, depending on the outside temperature. The control unit 12 is configured to regulate the interior temperature at least depending on the expected occupancy 26 and the heating and / or cooling rate of the interior space 16.

[0019] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic flowchart of a procedure for the indoor temperature control device, with which the indoor temperature is regulated.

[0020] In a procedural step 18, an expected absence of persons 26 is determined (see Fig. 3) For this purpose, the times and durations of absences are detected. These absences are recorded over a defined period. The times and durations of absences within this recording period are stored. The recording period could be, for example, 6 months, 1 month, or a comparable duration. The expected absence is assigned to a time interval. For example, all detected absences starting between 12:00 and 13:00 are assigned to this time interval. The absence durations within each time interval are divided into time periods. These time periods for categorizing the durations of detected absences are 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes.For example, four time intervals are specified between 12:00 and 13:00. However, the time interval could also be defined as 5 minutes or a comparable duration. The time intervals of detected absences within the defined recording period are weighted by the number of absences within that time interval. Alternatively, the absence durations could be weighted similarly. For example, older events could be weighted less heavily than newer ones. The time interval with the highest probability and / or the time interval with the greatest number of absences detected over the recording period is chosen as the duration for the expected absence.It is also conceivable that the duration of person absences within a given time interval is precisely recorded and calculated as an arithmetic mean. The expected absence of persons (26) is automatically adjusted to user behavior. Each additional detected absence of persons influences the expected absence of persons (26).

[0021] The indoor temperature is additionally regulated depending on the heating and / or cooling rate of the interior space 16. This heating and / or cooling rate depends on both the indoor and outdoor temperatures. The heating and / or cooling rate of the interior space 16 is recorded during operation. It is automatically adjusted to a building characteristic value and / or an outdoor temperature. To determine the heating and / or cooling rate, a moving average is calculated from the heating and / or cooling rates recorded during the recording period. The heating and / or cooling rate of the interior space is determined as a temperature gradient.

[0022] In a further process step 20, the indoor temperature is regulated depending on the expected absence of persons 26 and the heating and / or cooling rate of the indoor space 16 (see Fig. 3) For this purpose, a remaining duration 40 of the expected occupancy 26 is determined from the current time. Based on the heating and / or cooling rate, it is determined whether the remaining duration 40 of the expected occupancy 26 is sufficient to reach a target temperature 36, which was set at a start time 34 of the occupancy, based on the current indoor temperature. A setback temperature 42 is determined based on the expected occupancy 26. When the setback temperature 42 is reached, the indoor temperature control is activated. The shorter the remaining duration 40 of the expected occupancy 26, the closer the setback temperature 42 is to the target temperature 36. The setback temperature 42 is determined for discrete time periods 38. The discrete time period 38 is defined as 15 minutes. However, the discrete period 38 could also be chosen to be longer or shorter than 15 minutes.The discrete period 38 can be represented in a setback temperature profile diagram (see . Fig. 3) The setback temperature 42 is plotted on an ordinate 28 of the setback temperature curve diagram. Time is plotted on an abscissa 30 of the setback temperature curve diagram. Based on the expected absence of a person 26, an expected return time 32 is determined when a start time 34 of the absence of a person is detected. At a start time 34 of each discrete period 38, the remaining duration 40 until the expected return time 32 of the person 32 is determined. Alternatively, the setback temperature 42 could also be determined in real time. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the expected absence of persons 26 is divided into three time periods with three different setback temperatures 42.

[0023] In a further process step 22, the indoor temperature is set to the target temperature 36 (see below). Fig. 3) The target temperature 36 is set independently of the expected absence of persons 26 when the presence of persons is detected. The target temperature 36 is set to a temperature that was set before the start time 34 of the absence. Alternatively, a target temperature 36 that differs from the temperature set at the start time 34 of the absence could also be set.

[0024] In a further process step 24, the indoor temperature control is restarted after the expected return time 32 is reached, provided that no one is detected before this time. As soon as someone is detected, the subsequent process step 22 is executed automatically. It is conceivable that, if no one is detected, the process could be restarted with a higher probability of return after the expected absence time 26 has elapsed. Alternatively, the indoor temperature control device 10 could be switched off again at a reasonable setback temperature 42. Alternatively, process step 24 could be extended by a fixed duration.Alternatively, it is also conceivable that, upon detection of a person's absence, an active temperature control of the target temperature 36 from the start time 34 of the absence is carried out after the time period has elapsed. Alternatively, shorter expected periods of person absence 26 could also be used as a basis. These shorter expected periods of person absence 26 could, for example, be smoking breaks / coffee breaks or the like.

Claims

[1] Method for operating an interior temperature control device (10), in particular a heating and / or air conditioning system, with which an interior temperature of an interior space (16) is regulated, characterized by in that in at least one method step (18) an expectation of person absence (26) is determined and in at least one further method step (20, 22, 24) the interior temperature is regulated at least as a function of the expectation of person absence (26). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the person absence expectation (26) is automatically adapted to user behavior. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the person absence expectation (26) is determined by taking into account times and / or durations of person absences detected over a defined recording period. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the person absence expectation (26) is determined as a function of at least one time interval of day. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the interior temperature is additionally controlled at least as a function of a heating and / or cooling rate of the interior (16), which is automatically adapted to a building characteristic value and / or an outside temperature. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the interior temperature is set to a target temperature (36) as soon as a person's presence is detected, in particular regardless of the person's expected absence (26). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the control of the interior temperature is restarted after the end of the person absence expectation (26) if a person absence is detected after the expiry of the time period for the person absence expectation (26). [8] Interior temperature control device (10) with at least one control and / or regulating unit (12) which is designed to regulate an interior temperature control at least as a function of a determined person absence expectation (26) using a method, in particular according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Interior temperature control device according to claim 6, characterized by at least one room monitoring sensor unit (14), in particular an infrared and / or radar sensor unit, which is configured to detect the presence of a person.

Images