Ellipsoid Sensor Operative Temperature Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operative temperature measuring devices are not suitable for real-world applications in buildings, as they fail to simulate human thermodynamic conditions, neglect clothing, activity, and environmental interactions, leading to energy inefficiencies and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A device with an ellipsoid sensor filled with fluid to mimic human body temperature, an electric micro heater for metabolic heat simulation, and adjustable shells for clothing and sweating conditions, connected to an electronic control unit for remote monitoring and automation integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laboratory-type operative temperature measuring devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase, making them unsuitable for building automation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the human body's thermal characteristics using an ellipsoid sensor filled with fluid having equivalent density and thermal properties. This copying approach captures the essential thermal interaction without replicating the full complexity of human physiology, enabling building automation systems to achieve operative temperature measurement with reduced device complexity and cost.
2Device complexity
If air temperature measurement only is used in building automation systems, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates as it does not account for radiant comfort and human thermal interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from simple air temperature to operative temperature by modifying the sensor's physical and thermal parameters. The ellipsoid sensor's geometry, fluid density, and thermal conductivity are specifically adjusted to match human body characteristics, enabling the device to measure operative temperature directly while maintaining simplicity suitable for building automation systems.
3Loss of energy
If heating and cooling systems only measure air temperature, then energy loss increases due to incorrect thermal comfort assessment, but measurement precision for operative temperature cannot be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The ellipsoid sensor automatically adjusts its thermal response to match human body characteristics through its inherent thermal properties and the phase change material's self-regulating behavior. This self-service mechanism enables the device to provide accurate operative temperature measurements without requiring complex external control systems, thereby reducing energy loss while improving measurement precision.
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
Enables precise operative temperature measurement, reducing energy losses and enhancing thermal comfort by simulating human thermal interactions, suitable for use in buildings and contributing to energy savings.
Implementation Method 1
an electric micro heater has been mounted inside the sensor in order to represent the metabolic heat consumption of a human body
Implementation Method 2
the inside of the geometry was filled with a fluid which can reflect the average specific temperature and the equivalent density of inner body fluids and human inner organs
Implementation Method 3
operative temperature (thermal comfort temperature) measurement which is defined as the basic comfort temperature in the ASHRAE thermal comfort design diagram
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention subject to the application is related to a practical and applicable operative measuring device that can carry out operative temperature (thermal comfort temperature) measurement which is defined as the basic comfort temperature in the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) thermal comfort design diagram but is still not applied and is ignored, wherein said device plays an important role in the conditioning of internal environments, and which carries in the most sensitive and comprehensive way the thermal interaction of the human body with its surroundings, and considers the temperature reactions of the human body and which can evaluate the energy losses of the human body.