Airflow Interaction Functions for Multi-Unit Ventilation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems using multiple ventilation units in rooms with varying arrangements suffer from inefficiencies due to unknown interactions between units, leading to suboptimal energy consumption, noise pollution, and ineffective control of air parameters.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize interaction functions to control air parameters in sub-areas of a room by adjusting operating parameters of ventilation units based on the mutual influence between them, considering factors like room layout, furnishings, and air flows, allowing for efficient and collaborative operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple ventilation units are operated simultaneously for collaborative air conditioning, then the air parameter control coverage is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the room into multiple sub-areas, each with its own ventilation unit and control strategy. Each ventilation unit independently controls air parameters in its designated sub-area based on local sensor data, rather than having all units operate simultaneously throughout the entire room. This localized control approach maintains comprehensive coverage while reducing total energy consumption by activating only the necessary units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the room into multiple sub-areas and segments the control function into distributed ventilation units. Each unit operates semi-independently within its sub-area, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive air parameter control without requiring all units to run at full capacity simultaneously, thus reducing overall energy consumption.
2Reliability
If multiple ventilation units are operated simultaneously, then the air parameter control effectiveness is improved, but the noise pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the room into sub-areas with dedicated ventilation units, the system can maintain effective air parameter control in each local zone without requiring all units to operate at high noise levels simultaneously. The localized control allows quieter operation in areas where full ventilation capacity is not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of ventilation units based on real-time air parameter measurements in each sub-area. When air quality parameters are already within acceptable ranges, units can reduce speed or shut down, thereby maintaining control effectiveness while minimizing noise pollution during periods of lower demand.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ventilation units are placed randomly in the room, then the installation flexibility is improved, but the air conditioning efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns specific sub-areas to specific ventilation units based on their installation positions. Each unit develops or receives an interaction function tailored to its location and the characteristics of its assigned sub-area. This localized optimization allows the system to maintain high air conditioning efficiency even when units are installed in various positions throughout the room, preserving both installation flexibility and operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of interaction functions that model the airflow and thermal interactions between ventilation units and sub-areas. These pre-computed interaction functions, based on room layout and unit positions, enable efficient real-time control without requiring complex calculations during operation, thus maintaining high efficiency regardless of unit placement.
4Device complexity
If the interaction between ventilation units is not considered, then the control complexity is reduced, but the air parameter control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex multi-unit control problem into smaller sub-problems, each involving one ventilation unit and its assigned sub-area. By determining interaction functions that capture the influence of neighboring units on each sub-area, the system achieves precise air parameter control without requiring complex real-time coordination of all units, thus balancing control precision with manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interaction functions serve as intermediary models that pre-compute and store the complex aerodynamic and thermal interactions between ventilation units. During actual operation, the control system queries these pre-determined interaction functions rather than calculating interactions in real-time, thereby achieving precise control while keeping the operational control complexity low.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention presents a method for controlling an air parameter within a room 100 by means of a plurality of ventilation units 10, 11, 12, wherein the method comprises, as steps, providing at least one first ventilation unit 11, which is configured to introduce a first airflow into a first sub-area 101 of the room 100, and a second ventilation unit 12, which is configured to introduce a second airflow into a second sub-area 102 of the room 100, controlling an air parameter K1 in the first sub-area 101 of the room 100 by adjusting at least one operating parameter B2; Q2 of the second ventilation unit 12, and providing a first interaction function f12; g12; h12, which changes the air parameter K1 to be controlled in the first sub-area 101 as a function of the at least one operating parameter B2; Q2 of the second ventilation unit 12 describes, includes, wherein the adjustment of at least one operating parameter B2;Q2 of the second ventilation unit 12 for controlling the air characteristic K1 in the first sub-area 101 depending on the provided first interaction function f12; g12; h12 is ready.;