Systems and methods for controlling humidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems with integrated humidity sensors often have insufficient response times to changes in indoor humidity due to the remote location of humidity sources or sinks relative to the sensors, leading to inadequate control over indoor humidity levels.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a plurality of humidity sensors and a system controller that allows users or the controller to select which sensor affects the operation of the HVAC system, enhancing response time and control over indoor humidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a single humidity sensor is used in the HVAC system, then the system structure remains simple, but the response time to humidity changes is insufficient due to remote location of humidity sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the humidity detection function into multiple segments by deploying several humidity sensors at different locations within the HVAC system. This segmentation allows the system to monitor humidity changes more rapidly by having sensors positioned closer to various humidity sources and sinks, thereby improving the overall response time without requiring a single complex sensor
2Reliability
If multiple humidity sensors are deployed throughout the HVAC system, then the response time to humidity changes improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where multiple humidity sensors provide continuous humidity data to the HVAC controller. The controller processes this feedback information and adjusts system operation accordingly, enabling more accurate and reliable humidity control. The feedback loop allows the system to respond dynamically to humidity changes detected by any sensor, improving control accuracy while managing complexity through intelligent processing
3Speed
If humidity sensors are placed close to humidity sources, then the detection speed improves, but the sensor location becomes more difficult to determine optimally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the HVAC system into multiple zones or areas, each with its own humidity sensor positioned strategically near local humidity sources or sinks. This segmentation approach makes sensor placement more manageable by breaking down the complex decision of optimal placement into smaller, localized decisions for each zone, while still achieving fast detection speeds through proximity to humidity sources
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC system has a plurality of humidity sensors and a controller configured to selectively control which of the plurality of humidity sensors affects operation of the HVAC system. A method of controlling humidity includes providing a plurality of humidity sensors, assigning one of the plurality of humidity sensors as a humidity priority sensor, and affecting a humidity in response to feedback from the humidity priority sensor. A system controller for an HVAC system has an interface configured to present a plurality of humidity sensors and the system controller is configured to allow a user to select which of the plurality of humidity sensors affects operation of the HVAC system.