Heating System Valve Control for Flow Temperature Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating systems often use high flow temperatures to maintain comfort, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and inefficiency, particularly in systems with heat pumps or condensing boilers, due to slow adjustments in valve positions and suboptimal room temperature control.

Innovation Solution

A centralized control system adjusts heating valve positions dynamically based on actual and target room temperatures, using proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers and communication between central and local controllers to optimize flow temperatures and reduce energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If room controllers use slow valve position adjustments to prevent temperature overshooting, then temperature stability is improved, but flow temperature optimization is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidflow temperature optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into two independent controllers: a room controller that manages valve position for temperature stability, and a central controller that manages flow temperature optimization. This segmentation allows each controller to independently optimize its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between temperature stability and flow temperature optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The central controller acts as an intermediary that receives data from room controllers and independently determines optimal flow temperatures. This intermediary layer enables centralized optimization of flow temperature based on overall system conditions, while room controllers continue to maintain local temperature stability through slow valve adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If heating systems use high flow temperatures to maintain comfort, then comfort is improved, but energy consumption is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecomfortVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The central controller continuously receives feedback from room controllers regarding actual temperatures and valve positions. Based on this feedback, the central controller dynamically adjusts flow temperature setpoints to the optimal level needed to maintain comfort, avoiding unnecessarily high temperatures and reducing energy consumption while preserving comfort levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the flow temperature parameter based on real-time conditions. Instead of maintaining constantly high flow temperatures, the central controller adjusts the flow temperature setpoint according to actual room temperatures, outdoor conditions, and heating demand, thereby maintaining comfort while minimizing energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If centralized control dynamically adjusts valve positions, then flow temperature optimization is improved, but system complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow temperature optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the functions of multiple controllers into a coordinated centralized control architecture. The central controller consolidates the flow temperature optimization function, receiving data from distributed room controllers and providing centralized decisions. This merging reduces overall system complexity by eliminating redundant control logic while maintaining flow temperature optimization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4607098A1Method for operating a heating system
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4607098A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4607098A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4607098A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (100) for operating a heating system (1) for heating at least one room (10, 10a), wherein heat is provided centrally, in particular by means of a heat generator unit (3), and is distributed by means of a fluid heat carrier, in particular water, wherein the heat supply to a first room (10) is predetermined by at least one first room controller (15) by means of at least one first valve target position to at least one heating valve (16, 16a), wherein the method (100) comprises the following steps: • determining (110) a first central valve target position, • determining (120) a first local valve target position by the first room controller, • providing (126) the determined first local valve target position, in particular by the first room controller (15), and/or the determined first central valve target position,• comparing (130) the determined first central valve target position with the determined first local valve target position, wherein in the case of a deviation greater than or equal to a defined value, the first valve target position is changed (140) depending on the deviation and/or a determined, in particular the first, central valve target position.