Heat Cost Allocator Operating Status Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic heat cost allocators inaccurately record heating consumption during summer months due to temperature differences between radiators and room air, leading to falsified heating bills and acceptance issues, as they do not differentiate between operational and non-operational heating systems.
Innovation Solution
Transmitting information about the operating status of the heating system to heat cost allocators, which only register consumption data when the system is in operation, preventing data recording when it is switched off, even if temperature conditions for heating are met due to solar influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If heat cost allocators use temperature-based counting conditions (single-sensor or two-sensor), then heating consumption can be automatically detected, but erroneous summer counting occurs when radiator temperature exceeds threshold due to solar influences or transient effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (external communication unit receiving operating status information) that mediates between the temperature sensing function and the consumption counting function. The operating status information acts as a mediator signal that enables or disables consumption counting based on whether the heating system is actually operating, preventing erroneous summer counting while maintaining automatic detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where operating status information from the heating system is fed back to the heat cost allocator. This feedback loop allows the allocator to adjust its counting behavior dynamically - counting consumption only when the heating system is actually operating, thereby correcting the measurement precision issue while preserving ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If heat cost allocators operate independently without network communication, then device complexity is reduced, but centralized control and monitoring of heating system status becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling heat cost allocators to perform multiple functions: they continue to operate independently for local temperature-based detection, but also gain the capability to receive external operating status information and modulate their counting behavior accordingly. This multi-functionality allows simple independent operation to coexist with centralized control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the information processing function by separating the temperature sensing and counting logic (remaining local and simple) from the operating status reception and decision-making logic (added as a separate functional module). This segmentation allows the core independent operation to be preserved while adding centralized control capability without increasing overall device complexity significantly.
3Measurement precision
If calendar control is used to prevent summer counting, then erroneous summer counting is avoided, but heating consumption is not recorded on cold days in summer when heating is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static calendar-based control to dynamic operating status-based control. Instead of using fixed calendar dates to determine when counting should occur, the system dynamically adjusts counting behavior based on real-time operating status information. This dynamic approach allows the system to distinguish between summer months when heating is unnecessary and rare cold days when heating is needed, thereby maintaining both measurement precision and recording completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from calendar date (static) to heating system operating status (dynamic). This parameter change enables the system to adapt its counting behavior to actual heating needs rather than following a fixed calendar pattern. The system now uses operating status information as the controlling parameter, which dynamically reflects whether heating is actually required, resolving the contradiction between avoiding false counts and maintaining complete recording.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Data about a heating facility's operating status is transmitted to all heating cost distributors (5). Relying on this data produces registration of data on consumption in a heating cost distributor, especially so as to avoid faulty registration for a heating installation that has been switched off. A sensor device (7), especially radio (6), transmits the data to a heating cost distributor. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) A network with multiple heating cost distributors; (2) An electronic heating cost distributor.