Dual Heating Element Control for Load Shedding and Thermal Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating appliances with both radiant and convection heating elements struggle to efficiently manage power consumption during electricity network overloads, particularly during short-term load shedding, leading to potential thermal discomfort and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A regulation method that prioritizes heating elements based on power requirements and network load, using a thermal inertia material to store heat for convection heating during outages, and implements timed power cuts to manage energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If both heating elements operate simultaneously to provide sufficient heating power, then heating effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and causes network overload
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into two independent heating elements (radiant heater and convection heater) that can operate separately or simultaneously. The control unit divides the total heating power requirement between these two segments based on real-time temperature conditions, allowing flexible power management without network overload while maintaining adequate heating effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating state of each heating element is dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature feedback from sensors. The control unit continuously modifies the power distribution between radiant and convection heating elements according to current thermal conditions, enabling adaptive power management that responds to changing environmental requirements.
2Power
If radiant heating is prioritized for comfort and energy efficiency, then heating effectiveness is improved, but thermal comfort during power outages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of different heating elements based on power availability. During normal operation, the radiant heater is prioritized for efficiency. During power outages or reduced power conditions, the control unit switches to prioritizing the convection heater, which has thermal inertia that maintains reliability and comfort during outages.
Solution Approach 2:
The convection heater with thermal inertia material is pre-positioned to provide backup heating capability. This preliminary preparation ensures that when power outages occur, the system can immediately switch to convection heating mode, maintaining thermal comfort without interruption.
3Temperature
If heating power is increased to meet high demand, then temperature maintenance is improved, but network load increases causing short-term load shedding
Solution Approach 1:
The heating load is segmented into two separate heating elements with different power characteristics. This segmentation allows the control unit to distribute the total power demand across multiple sources, preventing concentrated high-power draws that cause network overload and short-term load shedding while still meeting temperature maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit implements periodic monitoring of temperature and power consumption, adjusting the operation of heating elements in cycles. This periodic control prevents continuous high-power operation, distributing the load over time to avoid network overload while maintaining adequate temperature through intermittent heating cycles.
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
Maintains thermal comfort by prioritizing heating methods and using thermal storage to minimize temperature drops during load shedding, optimizing energy use and reducing consumption peaks.
Implementation Method 1
a heating body, formed of a thermal inertia material and arranged in the interior space; a second electric heating element, in thermal contact with the heating body and characterized by a second heating power, the heating body being capable of storing heat emitted by the second heating element and of restoring said heat to air outside the appliance
Implementation Method 2
a first electric heating element, arranged in the interior space, in contact with the front, and characterized by a first heating power
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for regulating a heating appliance (10), comprising: a front panel (24); a first electric heating element (16) in contact with the front panel; a thermal inertia heating body (14); a second electric heating element (18) in contact with the heating body; and a sensor (19) for an outside air temperature T. The nominal power (P0) of the heating appliance is the sum of the powers (P1, P2) of the first and second heating elements; a threshold α is set in the appliance. A heating power P is determined as a function of the temperature T. Depending on whether P ≤ αP0 or P > αP0, heating priority is given to the first or second heating element, respectively.