Heat Pump Heating Curve Adaptation Using Flow and Temperature Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat pump heating systems lack adaptive control mechanisms to efficiently adjust heating curves based on varying outside temperatures and usage patterns, leading to inefficient heating and potential overheating or underheating.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines an average heating volume flow and outside temperature over a predefined period, comparing them to threshold values to adapt the heating curve, adjusting setpoints and target values accordingly, and calculating maximum power requirements to optimize heat pump operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a predefined heating curve is used to control the heat pump system, then the system operation is simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying outside temperatures and usage patterns, leading to inefficient heating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to weather conditionsVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device automatically adapts the heating curve by evaluating actual heating requirements and outside temperatures without manual intervention. The system performs self-learning by comparing predetermined versus actual heating requirements over time periods, automatically adjusting the heating curve parameters to optimize efficiency while maintaining simple operation for the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors actual heating requirements, outside temperatures, and heating volume flows, then uses this feedback to adaptively adjust the heating curve. The control device compares predetermined heating requirements with actual measurements and modifies the heating curve parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that balances adaptability with operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the heating curve is fixed, then the control system is simple to operate, but it causes overheating or underheating and inefficient energy usage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heating curve transitions from a fixed static definition to a dynamic adaptive curve that automatically adjusts its parameters based on actual operating conditions. The system dynamically modifies the heating curve by evaluating heating requirements and outside temperatures over time periods, allowing the control system to remain simple while significantly improving heating efficiency and preventing overheating or underheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If the heating system operates without adaptive control, then energy consumption is high due to inefficient heating, but implementing adaptive control increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs self-optimization by automatically evaluating heating requirements, outside temperatures, and system performance to adapt the heating curve without requiring complex external control systems or manual intervention. This self-service capability reduces energy losses while keeping the control device architecture relatively simple, as the adaptation logic is integrated into the existing control structure.

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 self-learning adaptation mechanism ensures the heat pump heating system operates efficiently, avoiding overheating or underheating, and effectively adjusts to local weather conditions, providing a comfortable indoor environment while optimizing energy usage.

Implementation Method 1

a heat pump circuit (30) which has a compressor (120), a condenser (115), an evaporator (110), a throttle (106) and a refrigerant (121)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat pump cycle: Heat Engine

Implementation Method 2

The condenser (115) is connected on the primary side to a surface heat exchanger (85) buried in the ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3690593B1Control device, heat pump heating and method for operating a control device and / or a heat pump heating
Publication Date: 2022.01.19 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3690593B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3690593B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3690593B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method, a control unit and a heat pump heating system, wherein an average heating volume flow rate of a heating circuit of the heat pump heating system is determined, preferably on the basis of a heating volume flow rate of a heating circuit of the heat pump heating system determined and/or recorded over a predefined first period, wherein the average heating volume flow rate is compared with a predefined first threshold value in a comparison, wherein a predefined heating curve of the heat pump heating system, in particular on the basis of a predefined first parameter, is adapted depending on the comparison, wherein the heat pump heating system is controlled on the basis of the adapted heating curve.