HVAC Smart Airflow Control Using Thermal Inertia and Zone Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems lack individual room temperature control and fan speed adjustment, leading to inefficiencies in heating and cooling, as they provide the same airflow regardless of the number of occupied rooms, resulting in energy wastage and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A smart HVAC system that uses thermal inertia models to determine the required airflow for each room based on its specific temperature targets, occupancy, and thermal characteristics, with variable-speed fans and smart vents that open or close dynamically to optimize energy consumption and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single thermostat controls the entire building temperature, then the system is simple to operate, but individual room temperature control is lost and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the building into multiple thermal zones with individual temperature control. Each room or zone has its own thermostat and can be independently controlled, allowing different temperatures in different areas based on occupancy and needs, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining ease of operation through distributed automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring temperature in each zone and automatically adjusting HVAC output. The controller receives temperature data from multiple sensors and modulates air flow, heating, and cooling based on actual conditions, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while optimizing energy consumption.
2Device complexity
If a single speed fan is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to optimize airflow based on demand is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs variable speed fans that can dynamically adjust their rotation speed based on real-time HVAC demands. The controller modulates fan speed to match the actual heating or cooling requirements of different zones, optimizing airflow delivery and energy consumption while maintaining system simplicity through automated control.
3Reliability
If full conditioned air is provided to all rooms, then every room receives adequate temperature control, but energy is wasted in unoccupied rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality control by providing conditioned air only to zones that require it. Each room's HVAC output is independently controlled based on occupancy sensors, temperature setpoints, and thermal characteristics, allowing the system to concentrate energy delivery where needed while reducing or eliminating conditioning in unoccupied areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes operational parameters such as airflow volume, heating/cooling intensity, and fan speed based on real-time zone conditions. When a room is unoccupied or already at the desired temperature, the system reduces or stops conditioned air delivery to that zone, optimizing energy usage while maintaining temperature control reliability where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for conditioning at least one room comprises receiving a first temperature target for a first room; determining a current temperature of the room; determining a first amount of forced air required to reach the temperature target based on a thermal inertia of the first room and the current temperature; powering on an HVAC blower; and powering off the blower once the determined first amount of forced air is blown.