Dynamic Temperature Setpoint Control for Faster Thermal Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Temperature control systems often experience overshooting or hunting when there is a large temperature difference between the current temperature and the target temperature, leading to prolonged stabilization times even with rapid heating or cooling.

Innovation Solution

A temperature control apparatus and method that uses a variable target temperature, set based on the current temperature and target temperature information, to control heat absorption or radiation, allowing for efficient temperature stabilization by adjusting the target temperature dynamically to prevent overshooting or undershooting, and asymptotically converging to the final target temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If rapid heating or cooling is performed to reduce stabilization time, then the heating/cooling speed is improved, but overshooting or hunting occurs leading to prolonged stabilization time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating/cooling speedVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the target temperature variable rather than fixed. The target temperature is dynamically adjusted based on the current temperature state, transitioning from a static setpoint to a dynamic trajectory that adapts to the system's thermal state, thereby preventing overshooting while maintaining rapid response

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of target temperature from a constant value to a time-varying parameter. By modifying the target temperature parameter dynamically according to current temperature conditions, the system achieves both rapid heating/cooling and stable convergence without overshooting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a fixed target temperature is used for control, then the control simplicity is improved, but the stabilization time is prolonged due to overshooting or hunting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidstabilization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system transitions from static target temperature control to dynamic target temperature control. The target temperature automatically adjusts based on current temperature feedback, creating a time-varying control strategy that reduces stabilization time while maintaining operational simplicity through automated adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the target temperature is set close to the current temperature to avoid overshooting, then temperature stability is improved, but the heating/cooling speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidheating/cooling speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by proactively adjusting the target temperature before overshooting can occur. The target temperature is advanced or retarded based on the temperature difference, creating a leading control effect that guides the system toward the final target temperature without oscillation, thereby achieving both speed and stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach significantly reduces the time required to stabilize the temperature at the target value by preventing excessive heating or cooling, thereby improving the efficiency and speed of temperature control.

Implementation Method 1

a heat absorbing/radiating device for heating or cooling a temperature control target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor configured to detect a first temperature around the temperature control target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentEP3591493B1Temperature control device, temperature control method, computer program, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 NIKKISO CO LTD
  • EP3591493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3591493B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3591493B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A temperature control apparatus is provided with: a heat absorbing / radiating device configured to heat or cool a temperature control target; a temperature detecting device configured to detect a first temperature around the temperature control target; a controlling device configured to control the heat absorbing / radiating device on the basis of a variable target temperature; and a variable temperature setting device configured to set the variable target temperature to a first variable target temperature on the basis of the first temperature and target temperature information indicating a target temperature. According to such a temperature control apparatus, the target temperature is changed to an appropriate value at all times, so that it is possible to reduce a time required for the temperature control target to be the target temperature.