Moveable Air Outlet Layout for Localized HVAC Load Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional HVAC systems consume excessive energy by conditioning entire spaces, fail to quickly respond to localized thermal load changes, and lack the ability to target specific areas within a space effectively.

Innovation Solution

A localized HVAC system featuring a moveable air delivery system with a fan and movement system that tracks user location, allowing for targeted air delivery within a space, reducing energy consumption by conditioning only occupied areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a typical HVAC system conditions the entire space to address a specific thermal load requirement, then the thermal load requirement is addressed, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal load requirement fulfillmentVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the space into multiple zones with individual thermal sensors and air delivery outlets, allowing independent control of each zone's temperature based on local thermal load requirements rather than conditioning the entire space uniformly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements localized temperature control by assigning different thermal conditions to different areas within the space based on occupancy and thermal load requirements, with each zone having its own sensor and air delivery mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a typical HVAC system conditions the entire space to address a specific thermal load requirement, then the thermal load requirement is addressed, but the response time to changes in load requirements increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal load requirement fulfillmentVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the space into independently controllable zones, enabling rapid local response to thermal load changes without waiting for entire-space air circulation patterns to develop

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies air conditioning only to the specific zones where thermal load requirements exist, using partial action rather than full-space conditioning, which enables faster response to localized changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If a single sensor monitors thermal load requirements for an entire space, then the system structure is simple, but the ability to target and address multiple different load requirements in different areas is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor system structureVSAvoidability to address multiple load requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the monitoring system into multiple local thermal sensors distributed throughout the space, with each sensor independently monitoring its zone's thermal conditions and feeding data to the control system for localized response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system receives data from multiple sensors and can independently adjust multiple air delivery outlets simultaneously, making a single control system capable of handling multiple different thermal load requirements across different zones

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

The system efficiently addresses specific thermal load requirements, reducing energy consumption and enabling rapid response to changes in thermal demands by conditioning only the occupied space, thereby enhancing user comfort and energy savings.

Implementation Method 1

The fan can be configured to move the air into the space through the air outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS11761672B2Systems and methods for localized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 RHEEM MFG CO

AI summary

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a localized heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising a moveable air delivery system comprising. The moveable air delivery system further comprising an air inlet configured to receive air and an air outlet configured to output the air into a space. The localized HVAC further comprising a movement system configured to move the air outlet in a generally planar manner. The movement system further comprising an air delivery support system configured to support the air outlet, the air delivery support system configured to move the air outlet in an air delivery plane.