Heat Cost Allocator Parameterization via Derived C-Values

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for parameterizing heat cost allocators require complex measurements for each new radiator, mounting plate, and heat cost allocator, making the exchange process inefficient and costly, as they need to recreate c-value databases for each new setup.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves deriving c-values for new thermal coupling arrangements from existing ones with identical or similar thermal coupling, allowing for the use of functional relationships to simplify the parameterization process, enabling the use of existing c-values for new heat cost allocators, even if they have different structures, and reducing the need for extensive recalibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex measurement techniques are used to determine c-values for each new radiator, mounting plate, and heat cost allocator, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvec-value determination accuracyVSAvoidparameterization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the copying principle by creating a database of pre-determined c-values from reference thermal coupling arrangements. Instead of performing complex measurements for each new component combination, the system copies applicable c-values from the database based on matching radiator types, mounting plate types, and heat cost allocator types. This reduces parameterization complexity while maintaining measurement precision through the use of empirically determined reference values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-determining and storing c-values in a database before actual installation and use. The c-values are measured and stored in advance for various standard combinations of radiators, mounting plates, and heat cost allocators. When a new installation occurs, the system retrieves pre-calculated values rather than performing measurements on-site, significantly reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If complex measurement techniques are used to determine c-values for each new setup, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to extensive recalibration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvec-value determination accuracyVSAvoidparameterization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-determining and storing c-values in a database before actual installation and use. The c-values are measured and stored in advance for various standard combinations of radiators, mounting plates, and heat cost allocators. When a new installation occurs, the system retrieves pre-calculated values rather than performing measurements on-site, significantly reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the copying principle by creating a database of pre-determined c-values from reference thermal coupling arrangements. Instead of performing complex measurements for each new component combination, the system copies applicable c-values from the database based on matching radiator types, mounting plate types, and heat cost allocator types. This reduces parameterization complexity while maintaining measurement precision through the use of empirically determined reference values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If new c-value databases are created for each new radiator, mounting plate, and heat cost allocator combination, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to redundant measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvec-value determination accuracyVSAvoidredundant measurement effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by creating a universal c-value database that serves multiple thermal coupling arrangements with the same component types. A single set of measurements for a given combination of radiator type, mounting plate type, and heat cost allocator type can be reused across multiple installations. This eliminates redundant measurements while maintaining precision, as the thermal coupling characteristics are inherent to the component types rather than individual instances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the copying principle by creating a database of pre-determined c-values from reference thermal coupling arrangements. Instead of performing complex measurements for each new component combination, the system copies applicable c-values from the database based on matching radiator types, mounting plate types, and heat cost allocator types. This reduces parameterization complexity while maintaining measurement precision through the use of empirically determined reference values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Measurement precision

If extensive recalibration is performed for each new heat cost allocator installation, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsumption value accuracyVSAvoidinstallation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-determining and storing c-values in a database before actual installation and use. The c-values are measured and stored in advance for various standard combinations of radiators, mounting plates, and heat cost allocators. When a new installation occurs, the system retrieves pre-calculated values rather than performing measurements on-site, significantly reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service installation by automatically matching component types and retrieving appropriate c-values from the database without requiring expert intervention. The heat cost allocator can be installed and configured using standard procedures with automatic parameter retrieval, eliminating the need for specialists to perform complex calibration measurements during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 simplifies the exchange and parameterization of heat cost allocators, reducing costs and metrological effort by allowing the use of existing c-values for new setups, ensuring accurate consumption value recording without the need for extensive recalibration or new c-value database creation.

Implementation Method 1

a mounting plate (2x, 2y, 2z) on which a heat cost allocator (3x, 3y) is mounted facing away from the radiator (1x(1) to 1x(n), 1y(n+1) to 1y(m)) forms one of the thermal coupling arrangements (K)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3828524B1Assembly for detecting consumption and method for parameterizing a heating cost distributor
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 QUNDIS GMBH
  • EP3828524B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3828524B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3828524B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement (A) for recording consumption values ​​in a billing unit (6), comprising: - a plurality of mounting plates (2x, 2y, 2z), - a plurality of radiators (1x, 1y) and - a plurality of heat cost allocators (3x, 3y), wherein - a mounting plate (2x, 2y, 2z) is mounted on each radiator (1x, 1y) and a heat cost allocator (3x, 3y) is mounted on each mounting plate (2x, 2y), - at least one c-value is stored in each heat cost allocator (3x, 3y) which describes a thermal coupling between the radiator (1x, 1y), the mounting plate (2x, 2y, 2z) and the heat cost allocator (3x, 3y) on which the respective heat cost allocator (3x, 3y) is mounted, characterized in that - at least in one of the heat cost allocators (3y) the stored c-value is a derived c-value (cxxy, cxyy, cxzy).