Method for allocating a heating circuit temperature sensing device of a heating and/or cooling system for the relevant heating circuit or checking the assignment of a heating circuit temperature sensing device of a heating and/or cooling system for the relevant heating circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating and cooling systems face challenges in reliably assigning heating circuit temperature sensors to the correct channels, leading to errors that impair optimization and control behavior, particularly during commissioning and operation.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves detecting temperature changes in the temperature control medium after opening a valve, allowing the heating circuit temperature sensor to transmit a signal to the control unit for accurate assignment and storage, enabling reliable sensor assignment and correction, without the need for coding or specific sensor positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If temperature sensors are assigned during commissioning or by direct wiring, then the system can be set up, but assignment errors occur that impair optimization and control behavior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor assignment reliabilityVSAvoidcommissioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-assignment of temperature sensors to heating circuits automatically. The control unit activates valves sequentially and detects temperature changes at sensors to autonomously establish correct mappings, eliminating the need for manual commissioning and preventing assignment errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit performs preliminary testing during commissioning by activating individual valves and monitoring temperature changes before normal operation begins. This preliminary action ensures correct sensor assignment is established before the system enters regular service mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If manual assignment of sensors is performed, then installation is straightforward, but time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidcommissioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically assigns sensors to heating circuits through a commissioning sequence where the control unit activates valves sequentially and detects temperature changes, eliminating manual assignment tasks and reducing commissioning time without requiring complex installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If sensors are wired directly to room connections, then assignment is explicit, but wiring errors can occur that reverse optimization effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor-channel mapping accuracyVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring-based assignment system with an automated detection system. The control unit uses temperature change detection to automatically establish sensor-to-channel mappings, eliminating the need for complex wiring configurations and preventing wiring-related assignment errors.

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

4Productivity

If the system optimizes control behavior using measured temperature spread, then heating performance improves, but assignment errors negate these benefits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating optimization efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol optimization reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit uses feedback from temperature sensors to detect temperature changes in heating circuits. By monitoring these changes during the commissioning sequence, the system automatically verifies and establishes correct sensor assignments, ensuring that subsequent control optimizations based on temperature spread measurements are reliable and effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Ensures reliable and efficient assignment of heating circuit temperature sensors to the corresponding heating circuits, reducing errors and improving control behavior by automating the sensor assignment process during commissioning and operation.

Implementation Method 1

detecting a temperature change at one of the heating circuit temperature sensors caused by the temperature control medium flowing into the heating circuit after opening the valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3425291B1Method for allocating a heating circuit temperature sensing device of a heating and/or cooling system for the relevant heating circuit or checking the assignment of a heating circuit temperature sensing device of a heating and/or cooling system for the relevant heating circuit
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 REHAU AG & CO
  • EP3425291B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3425291B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for assigning a heating circuit temperature sensor (7, 7', 7", 7''') of a heating and/or cooling system (1) to the relevant heating circuit (5, 5', 5", 5''') or for verifying the assignment of a heating circuit temperature sensor (7, 7', 7", 7''') of a heating and/or cooling system (1) to the relevant heating circuit (5, 5', 5", 5'''), wherein in the heating and/or cooling system (1) a temperature control medium is heated or cooled in a temperature control element (10), is led via a supply line (2) to a supply heating circuit distributor (4), through the supply heating circuit distributor (4) to heating circuits (5, 5', 5", 5'''), each of which has a valve (6, 6', 6", 6''') with an associated actuator, a The flow, a consumer, a return and a heating circuit temperature sensor (7, 7', 7", 7''') are distributed to the heating circuits (5, 5', 5").5''') flows through and is directed via a return heating circuit distributor (8) into a return line (9) and via the return line (9) to the temperature control element (10), the method comprising the following stages: (i) opening one (6) of the valves (6, 6', 6", 6''') so that temperature control medium flows through the heating circuit (5) associated with the opened valve (6), with the other valves (6', 6", 6''') being closed; (ii) Detecting a temperature change caused by the temperature control medium flowing into the heating circuit (5) after the valve (6) has been opened at one (7) of the heating circuit temperature sensors (7, 7', 7", 7'''); (iii) transmitting information to a control unit (11) that the heating circuit temperature sensor (7) is to be assigned to the heating circuit (5); and (iv) storing the information by the control unit (11). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding heating and/or cooling system (1) and a computer program product for carrying out the,are set up according to the methods of the invention.