Automatic switchover thermostat system based on apparent temperature and method for determining and automatically controlling the apparent temperature of a conditioned space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems fail to account for factors like relative humidity and radiative heat transfer, leading to discomfort for occupants and inefficient energy use, as they only regulate temperature without considering these variables.
Innovation Solution
A climate control system that includes temperature and humidity sensors, a processor, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with software instructions to calculate apparent temperature and automatically switch between heating and cooling modes based on user-selected desired apparent temperature, using equations and lookup tables to adjust both dry bulb temperature and relative humidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional HVAC systems only regulate temperature, then the system complexity is low, but occupant comfort deteriorates due to ignoring humidity and radiative heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the control parameter from simple temperature to apparent temperature, which incorporates multiple environmental factors including temperature, humidity, and radiative heat transfer. This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain comfort while avoiding the complexity of controlling each factor separately through dedicated equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces apparent temperature as an intermediary parameter that mediates between multiple environmental factors (temperature, humidity, radiation) and occupant comfort. This intermediary allows the HVAC system to indirectly control comfort through a single integrated parameter rather than directly managing multiple complex variables.
2Ease of manufacture
If more complex HVAC systems include humidifier, dehumidifier, and reheat system, then occupant comfort is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing HVAC system multi-functional by enabling it to control apparent temperature through integrated algorithms that coordinate heating and cooling operations. This allows the single HVAC system to address multiple comfort factors (temperature, humidity, radiation) without requiring separate dedicated equipment for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control of multiple environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, radiative heat transfer) into a unified control system that operates through apparent temperature thresholds. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate control systems or equipment for each parameter, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive comfort control.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional thermostats maintain set temperature without considering humidity changes, then energy use is simplified, but space comfort deteriorates when relative humidity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring both temperature and humidity, calculating apparent temperature, and adjusting HVAC operation based on apparent temperature thresholds. This feedback mechanism ensures the system responds to actual comfort conditions rather than relying on simple temperature setpoints, maintaining comfort while optimizing energy use through intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control by adjusting heating and cooling operations based on real-time apparent temperature calculations that incorporate changing humidity conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt its energy consumption patterns to actual environmental conditions, providing comfort optimization without the complexity of static multi-parameter control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A climate control unit configured to control a heating unit and a cooling unit. The climate control unit includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a current dry bulb temperature, a humidity sensor configured to measure a current relative humidity, a processor, and a storage medium operably coupled to the processor. The storage medium has software instructions stored therein, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine a current apparent temperature based on the current dry bulb temperature and the current relative humidity, receive a user-selected desired apparent temperature, activate a heating mode when the current apparent temperature is below a lower apparent temperature threshold, and activate a cooling mode when the current apparent temperature is above an upper apparent temperature threshold. The software instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to automatically switch between the heating mode and the cooling mode.