Multi-Room Heating Control Using Dynamic Reference Room Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heating systems face inefficiencies and increased operating costs due to static outdoor/weather-compensated control methods, which do not optimally account for varying heat protection requirements and energy savings in residential buildings with multiple rooms.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a central unit that dynamically determines a setpoint temperature for a heating medium based on the target/actual deviations in individual rooms, using room-specific sensors and control valves to redistribute heat from overheated rooms to cooler ones within the building, without relying on the heat generator, and integrates with smart grid systems for efficient energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If outdoor/weather-compensated control is used to regulate the heat generator, then the system can maintain basic heating function, but the efficiency is reduced and operating costs increase due to not optimally accounting for varying heat protection requirements and room-specific conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the building into multiple temperature zones (rooms) with individual temperature sensors and control valves. Each room is segmented as an independent control unit, allowing the system to address specific thermal needs of different spaces rather than treating the entire building as a single zone, thereby improving efficiency and reducing energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the setpoint temperature of the heat generator based on real-time temperature deviations detected in individual rooms. The control device continuously monitors actual temperatures, compares them with target temperatures, and adapts the heating output dynamically, transitioning from static outdoor-compensated control to dynamic room-specific control.
2Ease of operation
If a single reference room is used to determine the setpoint temperature for the heat generator, then the control system is simple to operate, but it cannot optimally address temperature deviations in multiple rooms simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors temperature in all rooms, identifies the reference room with the greatest temperature deviation, determines the setpoint temperature based on that reference room, and controls the heat generator. This multi-functional approach maintains operational simplicity while enabling effective multi-room temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring actual temperatures in all rooms, comparing them with target temperatures, identifying the room with the greatest deviation as the reference room, and using this feedback to dynamically adjust the heat generator's setpoint temperature. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing thermal conditions across multiple rooms.
3Loss of energy
If room-specific control valves are activated to transport heat from overheated rooms to cooler rooms, then energy efficiency is improved by utilizing existing heat, but the control system and heating circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service heat redistribution by using the existing heating circuit and control valves to transport heat from overheated rooms to cooler rooms without requiring additional active heating components. The control device automatically manages this heat exchange by adjusting valve positions based on real-time temperature data, allowing the system to serve itself and reduce energy waste.
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 enhances efficiency and reduces costs by dynamically adapting to room conditions, optimizing heat distribution, and utilizing regenerative energy sources effectively, while maintaining comfort and reducing overheating.
Implementation Method 1
heat from overheated rooms is transported to cooler rooms
Implementation Method 2
A circulating pump in the heating circuit ensures that the heat transfer medium or heating medium is transported between the rooms
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
In order to enable comfortable and at the same time efficient temperature regulation of several rooms in a building, the control device comprises a central control unit (22) which calculates a target temperature for a central heat generator (4) based on a target/actual deviation of a measured room value (Tn). determined in a reference room. According to the invention, several room sensors designed as temperature controllers (16) are arranged in a respective room to record the room temperature, with these being in data communication with the central control unit (22). The control unit (22) determines a current, room-specific target/actual deviation for each of the rooms. Depending on the comparison, one of the rooms is defined as the current reference room, which is used to determine and set the target return temperature TR.