Heating Device Night Mode Operation to Reduce Combustion Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating devices that burn propane or butane generate significant noise, particularly disturbing in confined spaces like caravans or boats, and existing solutions like reducing fan power during night operation do not adequately address noise reduction.
Innovation Solution
A heating device with a burner, combustion air blower, circulating air blower, control device, and data storage device that operates in a night mode, reducing noise by limiting power levels, increasing temperature tolerance, and adjusting fan speeds, ensuring quieter operation by restricting the strongest power level and tolerating larger temperature deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heating device operates at high power levels to maintain heating performance, then heating efficiency is improved, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation modes (day mode and night mode) that adjust the operational parameters of the heating device. During night mode, the control device restricts the heating device to operate only at lower power levels (first and second power levels), blocking the highest power level. This dynamic adjustment of available power levels based on time of day resolves the contradiction by allowing full power when heating efficiency is prioritized (day mode) and limiting power when noise reduction is prioritized (night mode).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by implementing different parameter sets for different modes of operation. The night mode parameter set specifically limits the maximum power level to the second power level (lower than the highest power level), while the day mode parameter set allows operation at all power levels including the highest. This parameter change approach resolves the contradiction by systematically adjusting power level availability based on operational context.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If fan speed is reduced to lower noise, then noise level is improved, but heating performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts fan speed based on the operational mode. During night mode, the control device operates the first blower at a first rotational speed and the second blower at a second rotational speed, which are lower than the rotational speeds used during day mode. This dynamic speed adjustment resolves the contradiction by accepting reduced heating performance during night mode in exchange for significantly reduced noise levels, while maintaining full heating performance during day mode when noise is less critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic variation in operational intensity between day mode and night mode. The heating device alternates between high-intensity operation (day mode with higher fan speeds and all power levels available) and low-intensity operation (night mode with lower fan speeds and restricted power levels). This periodic action resolves the contradiction by matching the intensity of operation to the time-dependent requirements for heating performance versus noise reduction.
3Ease of operation
If the heating device operates continuously during night, then heating comfort is improved, but noise disturbance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operational characteristics specific to night mode, where the control device allows continuous operation of the heating device but restricts it to lower power levels and lower fan speeds. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining heating comfort through continuous operation while simultaneously reducing noise disturbance through restricted power levels and reduced blower speeds. The system adapts its operational intensity to the night-time context where comfort is still needed but noise tolerance is lower.
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
The solution effectively reduces background noise during night operation by limiting power levels and adjusting fan speeds, ensuring the heating device operates more quietly without compromising heating performance.
Implementation Method 1
the burner device combusts a gas-air mixture of the combustion air and a gaseous fuel or a fuel converted into a gaseous state
Implementation Method 2
The energy is transferred to air or other fluids, e.g., water, via heat exchangers
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a heating device (1). A combustion air blower (3) supplies combustion air to a burner device (2). The burner device (2) combusts a gas-air mixture of the combustion air and a fuel and serves to heat air. A recirculating air blower (5) expels heated air from the heating device (1). A control device (7) acts on at least one component (2, 3, 3', 5, 12) of the heating device (1), wherein a night-mode parameter set, which is associated with operating the heating device (1) in a night mode, and a standard parameter set are stored in a data storage device (8). After activation of the night mode, the control device (7) accesses the night-mode parameter set and uses it to act on the component (2, 3, 3', 5, 12). The night-mode parameter set reduces the noise generated by the heating device (1).