Control of an air conditioning device depending on predicted environmental parameters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling air conditioning devices are not sufficiently precise in minimizing energy usage and resource consumption, often leading to deviations in object properties that require additional energy to correct, such as overheating due to solar radiation interactions.

Innovation Solution

The method involves controlling the air conditioning device by considering an energy balance that takes into account the temporal effects of environmental parameters, such as solar radiation and object properties, to maintain a desired object state with minimal energy requirement, using forecasted data and accounting for the specific effects on different parts of the object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If air conditioning devices are controlled based on simple measured parameters or general weather forecasts, then the control system remains simple, but energy usage is not minimized and object state deviations occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumption of air conditioning deviceVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations of the energy balance by considering forecasted time courses of environmental parameters and time-dependent effects on the building. This allows the air conditioning device to be controlled in advance to achieve desired object states at future times, minimizing energy consumption while accounting for thermal inertia and environmental influences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control method uses feedback by continuously monitoring actual environmental parameters and comparing them with forecasted values. The system adjusts the air conditioning operation based on deviations between predicted and actual conditions, ensuring optimal energy efficiency while maintaining object state within desired ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If air conditioning devices operate continuously to maintain precise object states, then object state stability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of object stateVSAvoidenergy consumption of air conditioning device
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates in advance when and how the air conditioning device should operate to achieve desired object states at specific future times. By considering the thermal inertia of the building and forecasted environmental conditions, the system schedules cooling or heating operations optimally, avoiding continuous operation while maintaining object state stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The air conditioning device operates periodically based on calculated optimal time points rather than continuously. The control system determines specific periods when intervention is necessary to maintain object state within desired ranges, allowing the system to remain inactive during periods when natural thermal processes are sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of information

If general weather forecasts are used for control, then data availability is improved, but precision in minimizing energy usage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of control dataVSAvoidprecision of energy optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system enhances general weather forecast data by incorporating location-specific characteristics of the building, such as its orientation, insulation properties, and thermal mass. This local adaptation of general data allows for precise calculation of time-dependent effects on the specific building, improving energy optimization accuracy without requiring extensive local measurement infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control method transforms general weather forecast parameters into building-specific effective parameters by applying corrections based on the building's thermal characteristics and location. This parameter transformation converts generic meteorological data into precise control inputs that account for the specific interaction between environmental conditions and the building's thermal behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2799945B1Control of an air conditioning device depending on predicted environmental parameters
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 KUNESCH CONSULTING ZT
  • EP2799945B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2799945B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Method for controlling an air conditioning device (1), which air conditioning device (1) can change an object state of an object (2) such as temperature, humidity during operation of the air conditioning device (1) and in a temporal after-effect range of the operation of the air conditioning device (1), wherein the The device (1) is controlled taking into account an energy balance, which energy balance consists of a) a forecast of a time profile of environmental parameters (3) in an area (4) around the object (2), in which area (4) the environmental parameters (3 ) have a temporally variable or constant effect on the state of the object, and b) the temporally dependent effect of the environmental parameters (3) on a portion of the object (2), which temporally variable or constant effect is predetermined by the temporally relevant object properties, and c) the time-dependent effect of the air conditioning device (1) on the Obj ect (2) is formed, so that the partial area of ​​the object (2) has a specific object state within a defined object state range at a later point in time t.