Operating an HVAC system using occupancy sensing systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems face inefficiencies due to the separate management and proprietary conventions of occupancy sensing systems and HVAC systems, leading to misapplication of heating or cooling based on actual occupancy patterns, resulting in increased energy costs and reduced human comfort.
Innovation Solution
A computing device integrates occupancy sensing systems and HVAC systems by creating semantic mappings between building spaces, occupancy sensing fixtures, and HVAC devices, using occupancy data to inform HVAC operations and align runtime with actual occupancy patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If occupancy sensing systems and HVAC systems are operated separately with different proprietary concepts, then each system can be managed independently, but the integration between occupancy data and HVAC control is insufficient leading to misapplication of heating or cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary that receives occupancy data from occupancy sensing systems and control commands for HVAC systems. This mediator translates and correlates occupancy information with HVAC control decisions, enabling integrated operation without requiring direct complex integration between the sensing and HVAC systems themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device serves multiple functions: it processes occupancy data from various sensing systems, determines occupancy patterns through filtering and analysis, and generates appropriate HVAC control commands. This multi-functional approach allows a single system to handle diverse occupancy sensing inputs and coordinate multiple HVAC devices.
2Loss of energy
If HVAC systems operate based on scheduled conditioning irrespective of actual occupancy patterns, then HVAC devices can maintain consistent operation, but energy costs increase and human comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors occupancy data from sensing systems and uses this feedback to adjust HVAC operation in real-time. The computing device filters occupancy data to determine actual occupancy patterns and modifies HVAC control commands accordingly, ensuring heating or cooling is applied only when and where occupants are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The HVAC system transitions from static scheduled operation to dynamic occupancy-based control. The computing device analyzes occupancy patterns over time and adjusts HVAC operation dynamically based on actual occupancy conditions, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to changing occupancy scenarios while maintaining comfort reliability.
3Measurement precision
If occupancy data is collected without filtering and processing, then all raw data is available, but the data lacks reliability for accurate HVAC control decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device performs preliminary filtering and processing of occupancy data before using it for HVAC control decisions. By pre-processing the raw occupancy data to determine reliable occupancy patterns, the system prepares accurate occupancy information in advance, reducing the need for complex real-time analysis while maintaining detection accuracy.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Operating HVAC systems using occupancy sensing systems is described herein. One device includes instructions to receive a mapping describing relationships between a space of a plurality of spaces of a building, a plurality of fixtures of an occupancy sensing system installed in the space, and an upstream HVAC device associated with the building, wherein the upstream HVAC device serves a zone including the space, receive occupancy data determined by the fixture over a time period, filter the occupancy data to determine occupancy information associated with the fixture over the time period, determine an occupancy model associated with the space based on the occupancy information associated with the fixtures, and modify an operation of the upstream HVAC device based on the mapping and the occupancy model.