Detection of windows left opened
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems face challenges in detecting open hopper and sash windows without additional sensors, leading to increased complexity and difficulty in legacy systems, as well as potential failures due to the need for trained personnel to access and maintain sensor assemblies.
Innovation Solution
The system utilizes valve position readings and changes over time to infer open windows, eliminating the need for door or window sensors by leveraging mean valve positions, key performance indicators, and self-directed learning models, and can be applied in both locally and remotely controlled systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor assemblies or microswitch assemblies are fitted to hopper windows and sash windows to detect open windows, then window detection capability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of installation/maintenance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the window detection function from separate sensor assemblies and integrates it into the existing valve controller. The valve controller now performs both valve control and window detection functions, eliminating the need for additional sensor hardware and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve controller is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it continues to control the terminal unit valve while simultaneously detecting open windows by monitoring valve position signals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate window sensors and reduces overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If battery-operated sensor assemblies are used to monitor windows, then wireless operation is achieved, but maintenance difficulty increases due to battery replacement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The window detection system utilizes the existing powered valve controller to perform detection functions, eliminating the need for separate battery-operated sensors. The valve controller's existing power supply and processing capabilities are leveraged to provide window monitoring without requiring battery replacement or specialized maintenance.
3Reliability
If additional door sensors and window sensors are added to the HVAC system, then detection capability is improved, but system complexity and failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the window detection function with the existing valve control system. The valve controller integrates both valve control and window detection capabilities, combining multiple functions into a single component rather than adding separate sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve controller is transformed into a multi-functional device that performs both its original valve control role and new window detection role. This universality reduces the total number of components in the system and simplifies the overall architecture.
4Reliability
If sensor assemblies are fitted to difficult-to-access hopper windows and sash windows, then window detection is enabled, but installation and maintenance require trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for physical sensor assemblies at difficult-to-access window locations. Instead, the detection function is extracted and relocated to the centrally accessible valve controller, which can be serviced without accessing the windows themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve controller acts as an intermediary that receives valve position signals indirectly related to window state. Rather than placing sensors directly at the window, the system uses the valve controller as a mediator to infer window status from valve position data.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Detection of windows left opened. A controller (3) comprising a processor and a memory, the processor being configured to: read a predetermined percentage and values indicative of a temperature set point and indicative of an idle temperature and of a temperature threshold and of an outside temperature as designed and of a position threshold from the memory; compare the value indicative of the temperature set point to the value indicative of the idle temperature; produce a first indication if the value indicative of the temperature set point is the same or substantially the same as the value indicative of the idle temperature; compare the value indicative of the outside temperature as designed to the value indicative of the temperature threshold; produce a second indication if the value indicative of the outside temperature as designed is less than the value indicative of the temperature threshold.