Method to create a microclimate and a microclimate creating heating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating systems are inefficient in adjusting temperature profiles locally within a space and fail to adapt quickly to occupancy changes, leading to energy wastage and discomfort due to slow temperature control and inability to create localized microclimates.
Innovation Solution
A heater matrix with individually controllable heater pixels embedded in surfaces, controlled by a control unit and sensing units, allows for creating localized microclimates with adjustable temperature and radiation intensity based on occupancy and user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional centralized heating systems are used to maintain comfortable temperature throughout the space, then overall comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple independently controllable heater pixels distributed across the space. Each heater pixel can be controlled individually or in groups, allowing localized heating only where needed rather than heating the entire space uniformly. This segmentation enables energy savings by activating only the necessary heating zones while maintaining comfort in occupied areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates microclimate areas with locally increased temperature and thermal radiation intensity based on occupancy detection. Different regions of the space can have different temperature levels - occupied areas receive localized heating to comfortable temperatures while unoccupied areas remain at lower temperatures. This local quality approach maintains comfort where needed while reducing overall energy consumption.
2Ease of operation
If conventional heating systems increase temperature to comfort level, then occupant comfort is improved, but response time to occupancy changes is too slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensing units to detect occupancy in advance and activates heater pixels before the occupied area reaches uncomfortable temperatures. The control unit receives signals from sensing units and preemptively adjusts heating in anticipated occupied zones, ensuring comfort is maintained without waiting for temperature drops to trigger heating responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system dynamically adjusts temperature distribution in real-time based on detected occupancy patterns. The control unit continuously monitors sensing unit data and modifies the heating state of individual heater pixels or groups accordingly, enabling rapid adaptation to changing occupancy conditions rather than relying on slow thermal inertia of conventional systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional heating systems are designed for fixed space layouts, then installation is simplified, but adaptability to moveable structures like office screens is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is implemented as distributed heater pixels that can be independently controlled and adapted to different spatial configurations. This modular segmentation allows the system to accommodate moveable structures like office screens by activating heater pixels on both sides of partitions or adjusting heating patterns to follow changing layouts, providing layout flexibility while maintaining simple installation of individual pixel units.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater pixels are designed to serve multiple functions and adapt to various space configurations. The same distributed heater pixel infrastructure can support fixed or moveable layouts, create different microclimate zones, and accommodate changing occupancy patterns without requiring system redesign or complex installation modifications.
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
Enables energy savings by maintaining lower overall space temperatures and quickly adjusting to occupant presence, providing personalized comfort through localized heating adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
Each heater pixel comprising a resistive heater element
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for controlling temperature of an indoor space. The space is provided with a conventional heating system and a heater matrix including a plurality of heater pixels embedded in surfaces included in the space. Each heater pixel includes a resistive heater element. The conventional heating system is used for maintaining a basic temperature of the space, the basic temperature being less than a comfortable room temperature. Operation of the heating matrix is selectively controlled for generating one or more areas within the space that have a microclimate with a comfort temperature that is higher than the basic temperature.