Occupancy-Sensing Radiator Flow Control for Room Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional central heating installations with preprogrammed temperature control fail to adapt to individual lifestyles, leading to discomfort when occupants are present and unnecessary energy usage when they are absent.
Innovation Solution
A radiator system with a presence sensor and electronic control unit that adjusts fluid flow rate using solenoid valves or decentralized circulators to match occupancy, ensuring optimal comfort and energy efficiency by regulating temperature based on detected presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If preprogrammed temporal control is used to regulate heating, then energy consumption is reduced during unoccupied periods, but comfort is compromised when occupancy patterns deviate from the program
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses presence sensors to detect occupancy in real-time and feeds this information back to the control unit, which dynamically adjusts heating operation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to actual occupancy patterns rather than relying on preprogrammed schedules, resolving the contradiction between energy savings and comfort adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system transitions from static preprogrammed control to dynamic presence-based control. The control unit continuously monitors occupancy status and adjusts heating parameters in real-time, enabling the system to adapt its behavior dynamically to match actual usage patterns and eliminate the trade-off between energy efficiency and adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If preprogrammed temporal control heats rooms during scheduled periods, then comfort is maintained for regular routines, but unnecessary energy is consumed when no one is present
Solution Approach 1:
Presence sensors provide real-time occupancy feedback to the control unit, which suppresses heating operation when no occupants are detected. This eliminates unnecessary energy consumption during scheduled periods when rooms are unoccupied, while maintaining comfort when people are present, thereby resolving the contradiction between routine comfort and energy waste.
3Loss of energy
If presence-based control is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved by heating only occupied rooms, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system performs self-service by automatically detecting occupancy through presence sensors and autonomously adjusting its operation without requiring manual intervention or complex centralized control. Each radiator unit independently monitors its local environment and regulates heating based on detected presence, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving superior energy efficiency.
4Device complexity
If centralized temporal control is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but room-by-room adaptability to actual occupancy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized heating system is segmented into independent decentralized control units, with each radiator equipped with its own presence sensor and control logic. This segmentation enables each room to independently monitor and adjust its temperature based on local occupancy conditions, achieving room-by-room adaptability while maintaining relative system simplicity through modular, self-contained units.
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 solution provides enhanced comfort by increasing heating when occupants are present and reducing energy consumption by minimizing heating when they are absent, optimizing room-by-room temperature control and energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
the means for modifying the flow rate of fluid comprise a solenoid valve
Implementation Method 2
the means for modifying the flow rate of fluid comprise a circulator
Implementation Method 3
the presence sensor comprises at least one of a motion sensor, a light sensor
Implementation Method 4
the presence sensor comprises at least one of a motion sensor, a light sensor
Implementation Method 5
the radiators heat the various rooms when they are traversed by the fluid heated by the central heating generator
Implementation Method 6
the radiators heat the various rooms when they are traversed by the fluid heated by the central heating generator
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The radiator (14, 16, 18, 20) for a central heating installation (10, 100) includes means to modify the fluid flow supplying the radiator (24, 26), a sensor of an individual (28) and an electronic control unit (30, 32) commanding the said average to modify the flow (24, 26) according to the detection of individuals by the presence sensor (28).The invention also aims at an installation (10) provided with a central heating generator (12) to heat a fluid, at least one radiator (14, 16, 18, 20), and a power circuitin fluid (22) connecting the radiator (14, 16, 18, 20) to the generator e heating central (12).