HVAC Predictive Control for Humidity and Temperature Before Occupancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building systems fail to efficiently maintain comfortable relative humidity and temperature conditions in occupied zones, especially when occupancy schedules are unpredictable, leading to inefficient energy use and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A predictive heating system that includes sensors and a controller to anticipate occupancy times, dehumidify, and heat the building zone before occupancy, using a single-coil system to manage both cooling and heating modes, thereby maintaining comfortable humidity and temperature levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-coil system is used to manage both cooling and heating modes, then device complexity is reduced and costs are lowered, but the ability to efficiently maintain comfortable temperature and humidity conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary dehumidification during unoccupied periods by operating the single-coil system in cooling mode before occupancy is anticipated. This pre-treatment of humidity levels ensures that when occupants arrive, comfortable conditions are already established, resolving the contradiction between using simpler single-coil equipment and maintaining reliable comfort conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between cooling and heating modes based on real-time sensor feedback and predictive occupancy algorithms. By continuously adapting its operation mode and timing based on environmental conditions and predicted occupancy patterns, the single-coil system achieves reliable comfort maintenance despite its simplified structure.
2Reliability
If building equipment operates continuously to maintain comfortable conditions, then comfort reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary dehumidification during unoccupied periods by operating the single-coil system in cooling mode before occupancy is anticipated. This pre-treatment of humidity levels ensures that when occupants arrive, comfortable conditions are already established, resolving the contradiction between using simpler single-coil equipment and maintaining reliable comfort conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic operation cycles that alternate between active conditioning modes and standby states based on predictive occupancy patterns. By scheduling dehumidification and heating operations during unoccupied periods and using sensors to trigger mode transitions, the system maintains comfort reliability while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If predictive occupancy algorithms are implemented, then energy efficiency is improved by operating equipment only when needed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The predictive heating controller performs multiple functions including occupancy prediction, humidity sensing, temperature monitoring, and mode control within a single integrated device. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve energy efficiency through predictive algorithms while avoiding the need for separate dedicated components, thus limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor data from the environment and occupancy information to automatically adjust its own operation modes and timing without requiring external control inputs. The predictive algorithm self-optimizes the scheduling of dehumidification and heating operations based on learned patterns, achieving energy efficiency while keeping the control system relatively simple through autonomous decision-making.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures comfortable environmental conditions before occupancy, reducing energy consumption by optimizing the operation of building equipment and eliminating the need for double-coiled systems, thus lowering costs and enhancing occupant comfort.
Implementation Method 1
operate the building equipment to dehumidify the building zone over the dehumidification time period
Implementation Method 2
operate the building equipment to heat the building zone over the heating time period
Data Source
AI summary
A predictive heating system for a building zone includes building equipment, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a predictive heating controller. The building equipment is operable to affect an environmental condition of the building zone in a heating mode of operation and a cooling mode of operation. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the building zone. The humidity sensor is configured to measure humidify of the building zone. The predictive heating controller is configured to predict an occupancy time of the building zone over a future time period, determine a dehumidification time period before the occupancy time of the building zone, determine a heating time period before the occupancy time of the building zone, operate the building equipment to dehumidify the building zone over the dehumidification time period, and operate the building equipment to heat the building zone over the heating time period.