Disaggregated Thermostat Control Using Multi-Zone Occupancy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional HVAC system control methods often fail to maintain optimal environmental conditions across different zones of a property, leading to discomfort and inefficiency, as they rely on single-point temperature measurements rather than considering occupancy and varying conditions across multiple locations.
Innovation Solution
A disaggregated thermostat system that uses sensors to gather data on environmental conditions and user locations throughout a property, allowing for intelligent control of HVAC systems to maintain target temperatures and humidity levels in occupied zones, even if it means deviating from optimal conditions in unoccupied areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-point temperature measurement is used to control HVAC systems, then the control system is simple and energy consumption is low, but the environmental conditions cannot be maintained optimally across different zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the property into multiple zones with separate temperature sensors and control capabilities. Each zone can be independently monitored and controlled, allowing the HVAC system to maintain optimal conditions in occupied zones while reducing or shutting down in unoccupied zones, thereby improving overall environmental condition maintenance without requiring complete system overhaul
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts HVAC operation based on real-time occupancy detection and temperature measurements from multiple zones. The control strategy changes from static single-point control to dynamic multi-zone control that adapts to changing occupancy patterns, improving reliability while managing complexity through intelligent algorithms
2Reliability
If HVAC systems operate to maintain optimal conditions in all zones, then environmental comfort is maximized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different environmental conditions to different zones based on occupancy status. Occupied zones receive optimal temperature and humidity control for comfort, while unoccupied zones have reduced or suspended HVAC operation. This local differentiation maintains comfort where needed while eliminating wasteful energy consumption in empty areas
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses occupancy sensors and temperature measurements to automatically determine which zones require HVAC service. The control algorithm autonomously decides when to activate or deactivate HVAC components in each zone based on real-time conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention and optimizing energy usage without sacrificing comfort in occupied areas
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed throughout the property to monitor environmental conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent strategically places temperature and humidity sensors in representative locations within each zone rather than densely throughout the entire property. This segmented approach provides sufficient measurement precision for controlling HVAC in occupied zones while avoiding the complexity and cost of comprehensive sensor deployment in every area
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multi-functional sensors that can detect both temperature and humidity conditions, as well as occupancy status, within each zone. This universal sensing approach improves measurement precision across multiple environmental parameters without proportionally increasing device complexity, as single sensors perform multiple measurement functions
Data Source
AI summary
Controller technology, in which data specifying a user preference relating to an environmental parameter for a property is received. Based on data collected by a monitoring system, a location of one or more users within the property is identified. Environmental condition data for the property is accessed, the environmental condition data including environmental condition data for the location of the users within the property and other unoccupied locations within the property. The environmental condition data for the property is analyzed with respect to the preference relating to the environmental parameter for the property. Based on the analysis of the environmental condition data for the property with respect to the preference relating to the environmental parameter for the property, a setting for at least one component of an HVAC system is determined. The at least one component of the HVAC system is controlled according to the determined setting.