Control system for controlling at least one water heating and/or cooling installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for water heating and/or cooling installations face high complexity, leading to reduced robustness, performance, and reliability, with increased risks of errors and energy overconsumption, and thermal discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A control system with at least two controllers, including a first controller for operation during a first time period and a second controller for a second time period, with a selection module to switch between them based on task complexity and data collection, allowing for redundancy and adaptive learning modes to optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only one general controller is used to control the water heating and/or cooling installation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and robustness deteriorate due to high processing complexity and increased risk of errors
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into multiple specialized controllers (first controller for basic control tasks, second controller for complex tasks requiring learning mode) instead of using a single general controller. This segmentation reduces the processing complexity of each individual controller while maintaining high overall system reliability through specialized functions and redundancy.
2Reliability
If multiple controllers are used to improve reliability and reduce complexity, then the control system robustness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically selects which controller to activate based on task complexity. The selection module evaluates whether basic control tasks can be handled by the first controller or if complex tasks require the second controller in learning mode. This dynamic activation strategy maintains reliability through availability of multiple controllers while minimizing operational complexity by using only one controller for simple tasks.
3Device complexity
If a single controller processes all sensor information, then the device structure is simple, but the performance deteriorates due to high processing complexity and error risks
Solution Approach 1:
Processing responsibilities are segmented between two controllers: the first controller handles routine sensor processing and basic control decisions, while the second controller processes complex tasks requiring learning mode and adaptive optimization. This segmentation improves control response performance by distributing processing loads appropriately while keeping the overall structure manageable through clear functional division.
4Ease of operation
If the control system uses a single controller for all tasks, then the system is easier to operate, but energy consumption increases due to errors and inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The control system operates autonomously with the selection module automatically determining which controller to activate based on task requirements. The second controller learns from operational data and automatically optimizes control decisions without user intervention. This self-service capability maintains ease of operation while reducing energy consumption through intelligent, adaptive control decisions that prevent errors and optimize efficiency.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a control system (10) for controlling at least a water heating and/or cooling installation (12), the control system (10) comprising a determination device (14) configured for determining a parameter relating to the water heating and/or cooling installation (12), wherein the control system (10) comprises at least two controllers configured to control the water heating and/or cooling installation (12), including at least a first controller (20) configured to control the water heating and/or cooling installation (12) during a first time period (Δt1), and at least a second controller (22) configured to be operable to control the water heating and/or cooling installation (12) during a second time period (Δt2) following the first time period (Δt1), and a selection module (24), configured to selectively set active the second controller (22) to control the water heating and/or cooling installation (12) during the second time period (Δt2).