System and method for operating a heating unit in a building with one or more rooms to be heated

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating systems face challenges in efficiently controlling temperature across different spaces in a building, especially when there are varying usage patterns and external influences such as solar radiation and outside temperature.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising at least one heat exchanger per heated space, a heat generation unit, and a control device that adjusts the heating unit based on the difference between setpoint and actual temperatures, allowing for precise control of room temperature and energy savings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a heating system uses multiple heating points with individual control valves and room temperature controllers, then the temperature control precision for different rooms is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple controllers and data bus communication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple room temperature controllers and control valves into a single integrated heating unit with a central control device. This merging approach maintains the ability to control different rooms independently while reducing the overall number of separate components and simplifying the system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating unit is designed as a universal device that can serve multiple rooms simultaneously, with the control device capable of managing different heating points through a single unit. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate controllers in each room while maintaining precise temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the heating unit operates autonomously without external electrical control signals, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different room requirements decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heating unit incorporates autonomous operation capabilities where the integrated control device can automatically regulate heating without external intervention. The system monitors temperature conditions and adjusts heating output independently, maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control device is designed to be dynamically adaptable, allowing it to adjust its operation based on different room requirements and conditions. This dynamic capability enables the system to switch between autonomous operation and responsive control modes as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the heating system uses a central temperature sensor for ambient temperature, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision for individual room temperatures decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidtemperature measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an integrated control device as an intermediary that receives temperature information and coordinates heating output for multiple rooms. This intermediary enables the system to operate with simplified temperature sensing while maintaining the ability to control individual room temperatures through centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system enables faster achievement of target room temperatures, improves user comfort, and reduces energy consumption by optimizing heat distribution and generation based on real-time temperature differences and external conditions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one heat generation unit (115) for heating a carrier medium which flows via a flow line (VL) to the at least one heat exchanger (114) and via a return line (RL) to the heat generation unit (115)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

at least one heat exchanger (114) per room to be heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

a pump (117) arranged in the flow (VL) or in the return (RL) for circulating the carrier medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP3907579B1System and method for operating a heating unit in a building with one or more rooms to be heated
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 VIESSMANN HOLDING INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP3907579B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3907579B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3907579B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

System and method for operating a heating unit in a building with one or more rooms to be heated. The method comprises the steps of providing one or more setpoint temperatures Tn,setpoint for one or more rooms to be heated; providing an actual temperature Tn,actual for the one or more rooms to be heated; determining a difference ΔTn between a setpoint Tn,setpoint of a room to be heated and the actual temperature Tn,actual of the room to be heated; and controlling a heating unit depending on the determined difference ΔTn.