Operating a climate control system based on occupancy status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing climate control systems lack flexibility and user control, as they often require reconfiguration when adding or removing temperature sensors and do not efficiently adjust settings based on occupancy or environmental conditions, leading to suboptimal comfort and energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A climate control system that includes a device capable of operating as both a thermostat and a sensor, allowing for two-way communication with rooftop units (RTUs) to adjust temperature and humidity settings based on user input, occupancy detection, and environmental conditions, enabling override of pre-defined settings and automatic adjustment of sensor configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing climate control systems use fixed temperature set points, then system operation is simple, but user comfort and energy efficiency deteriorate due to inability to adapt to occupancy changes
Solution Approach 1:
The climate control system automatically detects occupancy status through sensors and adjusts temperature set points without requiring manual user intervention. The system serves itself by making intelligent decisions based on sensor data, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining simple operation for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor occupancy status and provide feedback to the controller, which then adjusts temperature set points accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables dynamic adaptation to occupancy changes while keeping the control logic centralized and manageable.
2Ease of operation
If climate control systems manually adjust settings based on occupancy, then user control is improved, but energy usage and time consumption worsen due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects occupancy through sensors and adjusts temperature settings without requiring users to manually intervene. This self-service capability provides full user control over comfort preferences while eliminating the time users would otherwise spend on manual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated electronic sensing and control. Sensors detect occupancy status and electronically communicate with the controller, which automatically adjusts settings, substituting manual operations with automated electronic systems.
3Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are added or removed from the system, then measurement accuracy is improved, but system configuration complexity worsens due to reconfiguration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal sensor interfaces and standardized communication protocols that allow different numbers of sensors to be integrated without reconfiguration. The system is designed to accommodate variable sensor configurations through a unified architecture, enabling improved measurement precision while maintaining configuration simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to changing sensor configurations without requiring manual reconfiguration. The controller automatically detects and integrates additional sensors or adjusts to sensor removals, providing dynamic flexibility that improves measurement accuracy while eliminating configuration complexity.
4Loss of energy
If climate control systems operate with fixed settings, then system reliability is maintained, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to inability to optimize for actual conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor environmental conditions and occupancy status, providing feedback to the controller that optimizes energy consumption. By adjusting settings based on actual conditions rather than fixed parameters, the system reduces energy waste while maintaining reliable operation through proven control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes operational parameters such as temperature set points based on detected occupancy status and environmental conditions. This parameter adjustment enables energy optimization by maintaining comfort only when needed, reducing energy consumption while preserving system reliability through controlled adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
According to certain embodiments, a controller is operable to instruct a climate control system to operate according to an occupied mode or an unoccupied mode based on a pre-defined schedule. The occupied mode uses pre-defined settings associated with an occupied status, and the unoccupied mode uses pre-defined settings associated with an unoccupied status. The controller is operable to receive an indication that an occupancy sensor detects a space as being occupied. In response to receiving the indication when the pre-defined schedule requires the climate control system to operate in the unoccupied mode, the controller is operable to instruct the climate control system to use the pre-defined settings associated with the occupied status during an override time period.