System and method for controlling operation of a heat pump configured with an electric heater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pumps configured with electric heaters often struggle to maintain occupant comfort by supplying air at the desired temperature, and the continuous operation of electric heaters when unoccupied leads to inefficiency and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an occupancy sensor and a controller that communicates with the heat pump, electric heater, and thermostat, allowing for automated adjustment of the heat pump and electric heater operations based on the presence or absence of occupants, thereby optimizing temperature control and energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the electric heater operates continuously to maintain air temperature, then the desired temperature is maintained, but energy wastage increases and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the electric heater and heat pump based on real-time occupancy detection. The controller modifies heating operations according to whether occupants are present, transitioning from static continuous operation to dynamic conditional operation, thereby reducing energy wastage while maintaining comfort when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses occupancy sensors to provide feedback about the presence or absence of occupants. This feedback loop enables the controller to automatically adjust heating operations, ensuring energy is not wasted heating unoccupied spaces while maintaining appropriate temperatures when occupants are present
2Ease of operation
If the electric heater and heat pump operate to maintain comfortable temperature, then occupant comfort is enhanced, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts heating operations based on occupancy status. When occupants are detected, the system activates the heat pump and/or electric heater to maintain comfortable temperatures. When unoccupied, operations are reduced or stopped, optimizing the balance between comfort and operational costs
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects occupancy and self-adjusts heating operations without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously decides when to operate the heat pump and electric heater based on sensor input, eliminating the need for occupants to manually control the system while optimizing energy usage
3Loss of energy
If the occupancy detection system is implemented to control heating operations, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages the heat pump operation, controls the electric heater, processes occupancy sensor data, and adjusts heating operations accordingly. By making the controller multi-functional, the system achieves improved energy efficiency without adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
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
The system effectively maintains comfortable air temperatures within an area of interest by adjusting the heat pump and electric heater operations according to occupancy, thereby enhancing occupant comfort while reducing energy wastage and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pump configured with an electric heater... flow of the air through the heat pump
Implementation Method 2
a heat pump configured with an electric heater... operate the heat pump and/or the electric heater to adjust the temperature of the air
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling operation of a heat pump configured with an electric heater. The system comprises an occupancy sensor positioned in an area of interest (AOI) and is operable to detect presence/absence of occupants within the AOI. The system supplies air within the AOI while flowing the air through the heat pump and the electric heater. The system comprises a controller that is configured to receive data pertaining to a first predefined temperature for the air to be supplied to the AOI, monitor real-time temperature of the air being supplied to the AOI, detect, using the occupancy sensor, presence of the occupants within the AOI, and operate, upon detecting the presence of the one or more occupants within the AOI, the heat pump and/or the electric heater to adjust the temperature of the air being supplied to the AOI to the first predefined temperature.