Control unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems for ventilation and air quality management are limited by fixed sensors that cannot accurately detect temperature and air conditions at the location of people, leading to inefficient energy consumption and incorrect regulation due to individual operator influences and stationary infrastructure restrictions.

Innovation Solution

A mobile control device with integrated sensors that can communicate wirelessly using protocols like WLAN and Bluetooth, allowing it to detect the number of mobile devices and transform control data, enabling flexible operation and accurate comparison of actual values with setpoint values, while reducing the need for additional infrastructure and allowing for predictive control based on recorded logs and external data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If permanently installed sensors are used to detect air quality, then the sensor readings are stable and continuously available, but the sensors cannot determine the actual temperature and air conditions at the location of people present and restrict the arrangement of furnishings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor reading stabilityVSAvoidair quality detection accuracy at person location
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static permanently installed sensors to dynamic mobile control units that can be moved to different locations. The mobile control unit with integrated sensors (temperature, humidity, air quality) can be positioned at the location of people to accurately detect local environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and the restriction on furnishings arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If ventilation and exhaust air devices are activated based on individual user sensitivities detected by mobile control units, then the system responds to user needs, but unnecessary energy is consumed as devices require time and energy to reach new settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser responsivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption of ventilation devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mobile control unit continuously monitors environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, air quality) and compares them against threshold values. When thresholds are exceeded, the system activates ventilation devices. The feedback loop includes evaluating whether activation is necessary by comparing current conditions with historical data and predicting when ventilation will be needed, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining user comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring environmental parameters and comparing them with threshold values before activation is needed. The control unit evaluates whether activation is necessary by analyzing current conditions and historical data, allowing the system to prepare for ventilation needs without immediately activating devices, thus avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single stationary control unit is used to control ventilation systems, then the system structure is simple, but the actual indoor air quality is measured at only one stationary point which may be incorrect for the entire building or large room

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system structureVSAvoidindoor air quality measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control system into multiple independent mobile control units, each equipped with sensors for detecting local environmental conditions. Instead of one stationary control unit measuring at a single point, multiple mobile units can be distributed throughout the building or large room, allowing air quality to be measured at multiple locations simultaneously. This segmentation maintains relatively simple individual unit structures while achieving comprehensive spatial coverage and improved measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3064845B1Control unit
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 SIEGENIA AUBI KG

AI summary

The invention relates to a control device for controlling ventilation and/or ventilation devices, the control device being connected to the ventilation and/or ventilation devices as a mobile room control device. In order to enable the room air conditions to be reliably determined, the control unit includes sensors for detecting the room air quality.