Multisensor unit, an arrangement and a method for managing the indoor climate conditions of a room or of a zone

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing indoor climate management systems in buildings rely on separate sensors for heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting, leading to inefficiencies and lack of comprehensive control over air quality and climate conditions.

Innovation Solution

A multisensor unit comprising a temperature detector, thermal imaging sensor, and air quality detector that provides comprehensive measurement data to a control unit to manage indoor climate conditions, including temperature, air quality, and occupancy, integrating with heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate sensors are used for each indoor climate management system (heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting), then each system can be controlled independently, but the overall system complexity increases and coordination between systems becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent control capabilityVSAvoidSystem coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensor types (temperature detector, thermal imaging sensor, air quality detector, occupancy sensor) into a single integrated sensor unit. This merging approach maintains the ability to control different climate systems independently while reducing the overall system complexity by centralizing sensing capabilities in one coordinated unit rather than having separate sensor arrangements for each system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated sensor unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - detecting temperature, thermal imaging, air quality parameters, and occupancy status all through a single device. This multi-functional approach allows the same sensor unit to serve heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting control needs, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors for each system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive climate management is achieved through multiple separate systems, then all climate parameters can be controlled, but the cost and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveComprehensive climate controlVSAvoidInstallation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple sensing functions into a single integrated sensor unit, the patent reduces installation complexity while maintaining comprehensive climate control capabilities. Instead of installing separate sensor arrangements for temperature, air quality, and occupancy detection, all these functions are consolidated in one device that can be installed in a single location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The universal sensor unit design allows one device to provide comprehensive climate management data for heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting systems. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate installations while achieving the same comprehensive control objectives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If each indoor climate management system uses its own sensors, then system independence is maintained, but energy efficiency and coordination savings are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSystem independenceVSAvoidEnergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated sensor unit provides centralized feedback on all climate parameters (temperature, air quality, occupancy) to the control systems. This unified feedback mechanism enables coordinated control decisions that can optimize energy efficiency across heating, cooling, and ventilation systems while maintaining the functional independence of each system through shared information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The universal sensor unit serves all climate management systems simultaneously, enabling them to operate independently while sharing common sensing data. This allows for energy-efficient coordination where systems can adjust their operation based on unified environmental and occupancy information without compromising their individual control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution simplifies indoor climate management, enhances energy efficiency, and improves air quality monitoring, providing a more integrated and cost-effective approach compared to prior art systems.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal imaging sensor arranged to measure temperatures within its detection range in said room or in said zone, to detect the measured temperatures of the ceiling, wall, floor and/or a window in said room or in said zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a temperature detector for detecting the temperature in said room or said zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3396263B1Multisensor unit, an arrangement and a method for managing the indoor climate conditions of a room or of a zone
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 CAVERION SUOMI
  • EP3396263B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3396263B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3396263B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to the field of building and construction technologies in general and to the field of building indoor climate management, and more particularly to a multisensor unit, an arrangement and a method for managing the indoor climate conditions of a room or of a zone. The arrangement for managing the indoor climate conditions of a room or of a zone comprises a multisensor unit (1) attached to the ceiling (2) of said room or said zone, and which multisensor unit (1) comprises a temperature detector (3) for detecting the temperature in said room or said zone, a thermal imaging sensor (4) arranged to detect the presence and/or position of human in said room or in said zone and/or the number of persons present in said room or in said zone, and to detect the temperatures of the ceiling (2), wall (5), floor (6) and/or a window (10) in said room or in said zone and the skin temperature of human (7-9) in said room or in said zone, and an at least one air quality detector for detecting parameters relating to the air condition/air quality and/or to the indoor climate conditions of said room or said zone, which multisensor unit (1) is adapted to provide measurement data for one or more parameters relating to the air condition/air quality and/or to the indoor climate conditions of said room or of said zone, a control unit (11), and indoor climate conditioning units (21-24).