System and method for energy use control in an environmental control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC control systems lack efficient energy management capabilities, leading to suboptimal energy usage and cost savings, as they often require manual adjustments and lack advanced operating mode control for varying thermal comfort and energy efficiency across different areas of a building.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a processor-based controller with user input and environmental input interfaces, allowing for the selection of operating modes (such as maximum energy save, mid-energy save, and comfort modes) for timed or untimed periods, which automatically adjusts temperature set-points and energy usage based on user input and environmental conditions, optimizing energy efficiency and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustments are required for temperature control, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy management efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically monitors environmental conditions and adjusts temperature set-points without requiring manual user intervention. The system serves itself by making intelligent decisions about when and how to adjust temperatures based on real-time sensor data, thereby improving energy management efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors environmental conditions through sensors and uses this feedback to automatically adjust temperature set-points. This closed-loop control enables the system to respond dynamically to changing conditions, optimizing energy usage without requiring manual adjustments from users.
2Device complexity
If single operating mode is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different thermal comfort requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between multiple operating modes (comfort mode, energy save mode, economy mode) based on real-time environmental conditions and user preferences. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize for different priorities - comfort, energy savings, or cost - without requiring users to manually reconfigure complex settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single unified interface, supporting different operating modes and control strategies (manual adjustment, scheduled adjustment, automatic adjustment) within one system. This multi-functionality provides adaptability to various thermal comfort requirements while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
3Loss of energy
If automatic temperature adjustment is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but loss of user control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback to users about environmental conditions, current operating mode, and energy savings achieved. This transparency maintains user awareness and control while enabling automatic adjustment for energy efficiency. Users can monitor system performance and intervene if desired.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to pre-configure their preferences and constraints in advance (such as comfort thresholds and operating mode selections). These preliminary settings guide the automatic temperature adjustment process, ensuring that automation operates within user-defined parameters and maintains user control authority.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in an interface control device for a control system that provides control instruction to environmental adjustment equipment is provided. The method comprises receiving user input via an input section in the interface control device and simultaneously displaying via an output indication section in the interface control device an operating mode selection for use during a timed period, an operating mode selection for use during an untimed period, and a predetermined timed period length in the form of a duration or an ending clock time. The method further comprises providing instructions to a controller that instructs the environmental adjustment equipment to operate in a manner consistent with the operating mode selections for the timed period and the untimed period and the predetermined timed period.