Method for determining an instant of activation of a heating system of a building

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for estimating indoor building temperature evolution to determine heating system activation times are inaccurate due to reliance on complex thermal models and lack of consideration for weather variations, requiring significant computing power and precise data.

Innovation Solution

A method using multiple linear regression to estimate indoor temperature evolution based on recorded interior and exterior temperature measurements, forecast weather values, and predefined criteria, allowing for rapid and accurate determination of heating system activation times while minimizing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex thermal models are used to estimate indoor temperature evolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and computing power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindoor temperature estimation accuracyVSAvoidthermal model complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the complex thermal model into a simplified linear regression model by changing the mathematical parameters from differential equations to linear relationships. The indoor temperature evolution is expressed as T_int(t) = T_int(t0) + a1*Δt + a2*ΔT_ext + a3*I_solar, where coefficients are determined through linear regression on historical data, replacing complex thermal dynamics with a computationally efficient linear approximation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the thermal model that replicates the essential behavior of complex thermal dynamics without requiring full physical accuracy. By using linear regression on historical temperature and weather data, the system creates a statistical copy of the thermal response that is sufficient for prediction purposes but requires minimal computing power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If complex thermal models with precise data are used, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases due to significant computing power requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindoor temperature estimation accuracyVSAvoidcomputing power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the computational parameters from solving complex differential equations to performing simple linear regression calculations. The model uses straightforward arithmetic operations (multiplication and addition) with pre-determined coefficients, reducing computational complexity from O(n^3) or higher to O(n) linear operations, thereby minimizing energy consumption while maintaining adequate prediction accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If traditional methods ignore weather variations, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccuracy in temperature evolution estimation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodel simplicityVSAvoidtemperature evolution prediction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the factors influencing indoor temperature into distinct components: time duration (Δt), outdoor temperature change (ΔT_ext), and solar irradiation (I_solar). Each factor is treated separately with its own coefficient (a1, a2, a3) in the linear model, allowing the system to account for multiple weather-related influences while maintaining model simplicity through additive decomposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Manufacturing precision

If heating system is activated early to meet target temperature, then temperature control precision is improved, but use of energy increases due to unnecessary heating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget temperature achievement accuracyVSAvoidheating energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calculation of the required heating duration using the linear model to predict indoor temperature evolution. By calculating the exact time needed for the heating system to achieve the target temperature based on current conditions (t_activation + Δt_required), the system activates heating only for the necessary duration, avoiding both premature activation and failure to meet temperature targets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4390607B1Method for determining an instant of activation of a heating system of a building

Publication Date: 2026.04.01 DELTA DORE SA

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AI summary

Method for determining an activation time for the heating system (11) of a building (10) and comprising recording indoor temperature measurements and meteorological values; selecting at least one restart sequence comprising indoor temperature measurements and meteorological values associated with past times, each restart sequence comprising a plurality of successive times at which the measurements satisfy at least one predefined criterion; determining, for each selected time, a variation in indoor temperature relative to an initial time of the restart sequence and a plurality of variables; calculating a coefficient associated with each variable allowing maximizing, for all selected times, the equality between the variation in indoor temperature and the sum of the variables associated with their own coefficients;and to estimate the internal temperature at a future time by applying the calculated coefficients to the plurality of variables determined at said future time.