Method for configuring a heat generator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optimal configuration of heat generators is often determined with significant effort and requires specialist optimization, leading to suboptimal user comfort, energy efficiency, and service life performance.

Innovation Solution

An automated method for configuring heat generators, utilizing a reference heat generator's settings and characteristics to determine optimal settings for another heat generator, considering outside temperatures, weather data, and building properties, allowing for efficient and accurate configuration without manual data entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If automated configuration method is implemented, then configuration time and effort are reduced, but configuration precision and reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration timeVSAvoidconfiguration precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a reference heat generator with known optimal settings as a template. The configuration method copies the proven settings and characteristics from the reference heat generator and adapts them to the target heat generator, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual optimization while maintaining configuration precision through the validated reference model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration method enables the heat generator to be automatically configured through systematic determination of settings and characteristics based on measurable parameters. The process serves itself by using objective data from temperature sensors and operational parameters to determine optimal configuration without requiring external specialist intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of energy

If specialist optimization is performed, then energy efficiency and service life are improved, but configuration complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of specialist manual optimization with an automated computational method. A systematic determination process uses temperature sensor data and operational parameters to calculate optimal settings, substituting human expert intervention with an automated system that achieves the same energy efficiency improvements without the associated complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration method incorporates feedback from temperature sensors and operational measurements to systematically determine optimal settings. The process continuously monitors temperature differences and operational characteristics, using this feedback to adjust and refine the heat generator configuration for maximum energy efficiency and extended service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If manual configuration adjustment is made, then user comfort is maintained, but energy consumption and service life optimization are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic configuration that adapts to changing operational conditions. The systematic determination method adjusts heat generator settings based on real-time temperature measurements and operational parameters, allowing the system to maintain user comfort requirements while dynamically optimizing for energy efficiency and service life extension throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4488588A1Method for configuring a heat generator
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 VIESSMANN HOLDING INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP4488588A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4488588A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4488588A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for configuring a heat generator, wherein the heat generator is configured to produce heat for a building and/or for the building's hot water, comprising the steps of determining the settings and characteristics of a reference heat generator; determining the quantity of heat produced by the reference heat generator; determining the characteristics of the heat generator; determining the settings for the heat generator based on the characteristics of the heat generator, based on the quantity of heat produced by the reference heat generator, based on the determined quantity of heat produced by the reference heat generator, and based on the determined settings and characteristics of the reference heat generator.