Climate Control System Occupancy-Based Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems in means of transport, such as passenger trains, react slowly to changes in passenger occupancy, leading to temperature deviations and increased energy consumption due to indirect regulation based solely on measured room temperature, rather than real-time adjustments for changing heat loads caused by passenger movements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating the detected number and/or change in the number of occupants as a direct disturbance variable into the control loop of the climate control system, allowing for immediate adjustments in air conditioning performance to match the dynamic heat load, using sensors and counting systems to measure and communicate passenger changes in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the air conditioning system regulates heating/cooling output solely based on measured ambient temperature, then the control system is simple, but the response to passenger occupancy changes is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting occupancy changes before they cause temperature deviations. The occupancy detector identifies changes in passenger numbers, and the controller preemptively adjusts heating/cooling output based on these detected changes, rather than waiting for temperature sensors to register deviations. This forward-looking approach eliminates the time delay inherent in traditional feedback-only systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dual feedback mechanisms: (1) occupancy feedback from the occupancy detector provides real-time information about passenger numbers to the controller, and (2) temperature feedback from the temperature sensor monitors actual cabin temperature. The controller integrates both feedback streams to dynamically adjust the air conditioning output, combining predictive occupancy-based control with corrective temperature-based control.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the system waits for temperature deviation to adjust output, then the control logic is simple, but temperature fluctuations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses occupancy information to make preliminary adjustments to heating/cooling output before temperature deviations occur. When the occupancy detector registers a change in passenger numbers, the controller immediately modifies the air conditioning output in the appropriate direction (increasing cooling for more passengers, decreasing for fewer passengers), preventing temperature fluctuations rather than correcting them after they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dual feedback loops: an occupancy feedback loop that continuously monitors passenger numbers and triggers preemptive control actions, and a temperature feedback loop that monitors cabin temperature and provides corrective adjustments. This layered feedback structure ensures temperature stability by addressing the root cause (occupancy changes) before they manifest as temperature deviations.
3Reliability
If the air conditioning system uses higher output to compensate for slow response, then temperature control is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary control actions based on occupancy detection, adjusting the air conditioning output proactively when passenger numbers change. This preemptive adjustment maintains temperature control reliability by addressing load changes immediately, eliminating the need for higher sustained output that would be required to compensate for slow response in traditional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual feedback mechanism ensures reliable temperature control with optimized energy consumption. The occupancy feedback enables precise, demand-based control adjustments that match actual thermal load, preventing both overheating and overcooling. The temperature feedback provides corrective adjustments only when necessary, avoiding continuous high-output operation and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining control reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for air conditioning a passenger compartment of a means of transport, in particular a rail vehicle, with an air conditioning system and a climate control system for controlling and/or regulating the room temperature of the passenger compartment, wherein the control and/or regulation of the room temperature is carried out depending on the number and/or a change in the number of occupants staying within the passenger compartment.