System and method for offsets within schedule groups for multiple thermostats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing environmental conditioning equipment groups is inefficient when individual units need to deviate from the group's operation, as it requires forming separate groups, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A multi-thermostat temperature control system with a server environment and thermostat controller that stores temperature setpoint values and transmits control signals to conditioning units, allowing for individual thermostat offset values to account for local heat loads and maintain specific temperature setpoints across different zones within the same group.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If equipment is controlled as a unified group, then system simplicity and ease of operation are improved, but the ability to accommodate individual equipment deviations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing individual thermostats within a group to have unique offset values that adjust their temperature setpoints based on local heat load conditions, while the majority of thermostats in the group continue to operate with standard setpoints. This enables localized adaptation without requiring separate group management for each deviation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate groups are formed for equipment needing different operation, then individual equipment adaptability is improved, but system complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of temperature setpoint by introducing offset values that can be applied to individual thermostats within a group. Instead of creating separate groups with different parameters, the system modifies the setpoint parameter dynamically through offsets, allowing individual thermostats to deviate from group norms without affecting group structure or increasing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate groups are formed for equipment needing different operation, then individual equipment adaptability is improved, but operational error probability and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a group management system that can handle both standard and offset temperature requirements within a single unified framework. The system universally manages all thermostats in the group through common scheduling and control logic, while accommodating individual deviations through offset parameters, thereby eliminating the need for separate group management and reducing operational errors.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-thermostat temperature control system and related methods include thermostats spaced about respective conditioning zones in conditioned spaces. The control system includes a thermostat controller configured to store a temperature setpoint value for each of the thermostats in an operating schedule. The thermostat controller is also configured to transmit a first control signal to the conditioning units to control an operation of the conditioning units to maintain a temperature of the conditioned spaces at a first respective temperature setpoint value and to receive offset values for respective ones of the thermostats wherein the one or more offset values are determined to counter the temperature effects of a local heat load in the conditioned spaces proximate an associated thermostat.