Method and device for influencing a heating control device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Older heating controllers lack additional system interfaces necessary for modifying heating characteristics, making it costly and inefficient to adapt them for energy savings, as replacing the entire system is often required.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that simulate a sensor value for the existing flow temperature sensor in heating controllers, using a resistance simulator and network of resistors, allowing for correction of the sensor value without additional interfaces, enabling the use of existing sensors for heating control adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If additional system interfaces are provided for modifying heating characteristics, then energy savings can be achieved through heating control optimization, but device complexity and investment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy savingsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device that connects to the existing heating controller through its standard sensor interfaces. This intermediary simulates sensor values to modify heating characteristics without requiring additional system interfaces on the original controller, thus achieving energy optimization while avoiding increased device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the sensor signal path by simulating sensor values rather than directly modifying the controller. The simulation device replicates sensor behavior and outputs simulated sensor values that influence the heating controller's operation, enabling control optimization without adding complexity to the original system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of energy

If the heating controller is replaced with a modern system providing additional interfaces, then heating control can be optimized for energy savings, but investment costs and system disruption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy savingsVSAvoidinvestment costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares a standalone simulation device that can be integrated with existing controllers before any replacement is considered. This preliminary solution allows optimization of current systems, demonstrating energy savings potential and avoiding the need for costly replacements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a relatively simple simulation device that connects to existing controllers without requiring expensive system replacements. This cost-effective approach achieves energy optimization goals without the high investment costs associated with replacing entire heating control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If sensor values are simulated to influence heating controller characteristics, then existing controllers can be optimized without replacement, but measurement precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic simulation approach where the simulation device can adapt its output based on actual sensor readings and operational conditions. The simulation values are generated dynamically to reflect real system behavior while incorporating optimization parameters, maintaining precision through adaptive adjustment rather than static falsification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 efficient energy savings by allowing the use of existing sensors for heating control adjustments without the need for additional interfaces or system replacements, reducing investment costs and maintaining sensor accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

A resistance simulator (3) which generates a simulated sensor value in the form of a resistance value taking into account a measured sensor value and an externally specifiable correction manipulated variable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3199876B1Method and device for influencing a heating control device
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 TECHEM ENERGY SERVICES
  • EP3199876B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3199876B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3199876B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method or a device for influencing a heating controller (2) to which a sensor (5) can be connected via an interface (4) and which, on the basis of a measured sensor value (R0), controls a heating system in accordance with a control characteristic , the control characteristics of the heating controller (2) being influenced by specifying a correction value (Rs). In order to use the existing interface (4) of the heating controller (2), the correction value (Rs) is formed by simulating the sensor value, taking into account the measured sensor value (R0).