Hybrid Heating Cooling Cost Allocator Sensor Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Classic electronic heat cost allocators are limited in their functionality to primarily record heating energy consumption and struggle to efficiently manage cooling energy distribution in hybrid heating and cooling systems, especially in residential settings where seasonal energy demands shift towards increased cooling needs, without requiring significant economic or structural overhauls.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device, referred to as a Heating and Cooling Cost Allocator (HKKV), which integrates temperature and humidity sensors to calculate heat absorption units during cooling operations, allowing for the distribution of both heating and cooling energy within existing heating systems, using a standard-compliant two-sensor measuring method and intelligent IT infrastructure for feedback-controlled operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If classic electronic heat cost allocators are used to record heating energy consumption, then heating cost allocation is achieved, but cooling energy distribution cannot be efficiently managed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can evaluate both heating energy consumption and cooling energy absorption by processing temperature measurements from the same sensor arrangement. The device universally handles both heating and cooling modes without requiring separate dedicated systems, thereby achieving functional versatility while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional recording technology is installed to enable cooling energy distribution, then cooling cost allocation is achieved, but economic effort and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling functionalityVSAvoidrecording technology complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The same temperature sensors and evaluation unit that record heating energy consumption are reused to also record cooling energy absorption. By detecting temperature differences and determining whether the system is in heating or cooling mode, the device achieves dual functionality without requiring additional dedicated recording technology for cooling, thereby avoiding increased economic effort and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the temperature difference between sensors is small (≤1 K), then measurement accuracy is maintained, but cooling energy absorption cannot be accurately recorded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement precisionVSAvoidcooling energy recording reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation unit dynamically adjusts its evaluation parameters based on the operating mode. When cooling mode is detected (through appropriate temperature difference patterns), the unit applies evaluation methods suitable for cooling energy absorption recording. This parameter adaptation allows the system to reliably record cooling energy even when temperature differences are small, maintaining both measurement precision and recording reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables efficient transition from pure heating to hybrid operation, providing moderate cooling and corresponding consumption-based billing without additional recording technology, optimizing energy use and reducing energy costs by repurposing existing heating systems for seasonal energy distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a first temperature sensor arranged on the back section for measuring a first temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a second temperature sensor arranged in the front housing section for measuring a second temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 3

the evaluation unit, using the temperature measuring device, only counts, calculates, and integrates the heat absorption units when the heating/cooling surface is in cooling mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3336500B1Electronic apparatus and method for hybrid heating and cooling agent distribution over standard heating surfaces
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 METRONA WARMEMESSER UNION
  • EP3336500B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3336500B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device (10) for recording room climate data in a room equipped with a heating/cooling surface (12) comprises a back section (14) for mounting the device (10) on a room wall or the heating/cooling surface (12) and a front housing section (16) that projects into the room when the device (10) is mounted. The electronic device (10) further comprises a temperature measuring device with a first temperature sensor (18) arranged on the back section (14) for measuring a first temperature and a second temperature sensor (20) arranged in the front housing section (16) for measuring a second temperature. The electronic device (10) also comprises an evaluation unit (24) which, with the aid of the temperature measuring device, counts or calculates and integrates the heat absorption units generated during cooling operation of the heating/cooling surface (12).