HVAC Controller for Target Rate-of-Change Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems face challenges in providing advanced control capabilities while maintaining interoperability with both communicating and non-communicating legacy equipment, which limits consumer choice and flexibility in system upgrades or retrofits.
Innovation Solution
A controller-based system that operates HVAC equipment using a target time-based control plan, allowing for the integration of both communicating and non-communicating equipment. The controller discovers connected devices, determines a target time and initial control plan, and adjusts settings based on actual performance to optimize temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If communicating thermostats and HVAC equipment are used to provide advanced control capabilities, then control flexibility and automation are improved, but system cost increases and interoperability with legacy equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting both communicating protocols (RS-485, BACnet, Modbus) and legacy control methods (24VAC on/off signals). This universal design allows the same controller to work with diverse equipment types including communicating thermostats, legacy thermostats, and various HVAC equipment, thereby resolving the contradiction between automation capability and interoperability
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary device that bridges communicating and non-communicating equipment. It can receive commands from communicating thermostats via digital protocols and translate them into appropriate control signals for legacy HVAC equipment, or vice versa, enabling seamless integration across different communication paradigms
2Extent of automation
If communicating systems are implemented to enable automatic identification and control, then system intelligence is improved, but equipment compatibility and consumer choice deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adapts its communication mode based on the connected equipment. It can automatically detect whether a thermostat or HVAC unit is communicating or legacy-type, and adjust its protocol accordingly. This dynamic behavior maintains system intelligence while ensuring broad equipment compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes its operational parameters (communication protocol, signal type, data format) based on the detected equipment type. When a communicating device is detected, it uses digital protocols; when legacy equipment is detected, it switches to analog 24VAC signals, thereby maintaining both intelligence and compatibility
3Manufacturing precision
If target time-based control plans are used to optimize temperature control, then temperature control precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-calculates control plans based on target temperatures and time constraints before executing them. By determining the optimal sequence of HVAC equipment operations in advance, it achieves precise temperature control while simplifying real-time decision-making, as the complex calculations are performed beforehand
Solution Approach 2:
The control plan is segmented into discrete time-based stages with specific temperature targets and equipment configurations. Each stage represents a manageable control step, breaking down the complex task of temperature regulation into simpler, time-ordered operations that are easier to execute and monitor
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling the air temperature in a building. The system includes one or more equipment of a heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, at least one of one or more thermostats or one or more temperature sensors, and a controller. The controller includes a communication module to exchange data with one or more devices and an equipment interface configured to communicate control signals to the one or more equipment. The controller is configured to obtain as user input a target rate of change (ROC) of air temperature in the building and operate the one or more equipment of the HVAC system to achieve the target ROC. The controller operates the one or more equipment at an initial capacity and adjusts the capacity of the one or more equipment to achieve the target ROC of the air temperature in the building.