Method and system for thermal control of a building

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building temperature control systems struggle to compensate for temperature differences between rooms and humidity fluctuations, especially due to varying heating or cooling requirements and solar radiation exposure, and often require additional heating, cooling, or humidifying devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a thermoactive component system with a storage element, balancing circuit, and ventilation system to equalize thermal energy across rooms, reducing the need for additional heating or cooling devices by using a compensating medium to transfer heat energy between rooms and a ventilation system that mimics human breathing to regulate temperature and humidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If thermoactive building component systems with pipe registers are used for temperature control, then surface temperature control is achieved over large surface areas, but the system cannot compensate for temperature differences between individual rooms or wall elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface temperature controlVSAvoidcompensation for temperature differences between rooms
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The building is divided into multiple thermal zones, each with its own thermoactive building component system (walls, ceiling, floor). Each zone can be independently controlled through separate pipe circuits, allowing temperature differences between rooms to be compensated while maintaining surface temperature control across large areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by stationary object

If solar energy is integrated into the heating concept with latent heat storage, then heat energy can be stored for later use, but the system still cannot compensate for temperature differences between individual wall elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat energy storageVSAvoidtemperature equalization between wall elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A balancing circuit acts as an intermediary between the solar heat storage system and individual room thermal zones. This balancing circuit redistributes thermal energy from wall elements that are overheated to those that are underheated, enabling temperature equalization while preserving the heat storage capability of the solar integration system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If warm air is extracted from the heating system and released into the environment, then heating function is provided, but humidity of the room air gradually decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating functionVSAvoidhumidity loss
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding extracted warm air directly into the environment, the system recovers its thermal energy through the balancing circuit to redistribute to thermal zones that need heating. This recovery process eliminates the need to continuously extract and discard air, thereby preventing gradual humidity loss while maintaining the heating function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Reliability

If additional heating, cooling, or humidifying devices are installed to regulate indoor climate, then temperature and humidity control is improved, but device complexity and energy demand increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindoor climate regulationVSAvoidnumber of additional devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The balancing circuit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it equalizes temperature differences between thermal zones, recovers thermal energy from extracted air, and maintains humidity levels by reducing the need for separate humidifying devices. This multi-functionality improves indoor climate regulation while avoiding the complexity and energy demand of installing separate heating, cooling, and humidifying systems.

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

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

This approach reduces energy demand, minimizes temperature differences within a building, and maintains humidity levels, potentially eliminating the need for additional heating or cooling devices, while achieving high thermal and humidity recovery efficiencies.

Implementation Method 1

the heating medium transfers heat energy to the compensating medium via the storage element, so that heat energy is supplied to the storage element to heat the space containing the storage element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the coolant extracts heat energy from the compensating medium so that the storage element is cooled, whereby heat energy is extracted from the space for cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a ventilation system that mimics human breathing to regulate temperature and humidity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4269890B1Method and system for thermal control of a building
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 ERNE AG HOLZBAU
  • EP4269890B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4269890B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4269890B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for temperature control of a building, comprising a storage element (11) and a circuit (33) for at least one heating medium or a coolant, wherein the storage element (11) contains at least a part of the circuit (33) in which the heating medium or coolant is conveyed. The storage element (11) includes a balancing circuit (34) containing a balancing agent that circulates in the balancing circuit (34). The invention also relates to a system for temperature control of a building, comprising a storage element (11) and a circuit (33) configured for conveying at least one heating medium or a coolant. The storage element (11) includes a balancing circuit (34) configured for circulating a balancing agent, wherein the circuit (33) and the balancing circuit (34) are at least partially arranged in the storage element.