Occupancy-based operating state determinations for sensing or control systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC thermostatic control systems fail to optimize energy savings due to user intimidation from complex settings and lack of automatic adjustment based on occupancy patterns, leading to suboptimal energy usage in residential and commercial spaces.
Innovation Solution
A versatile sensing and control unit (VSCU) equipped with passive and active infrared sensors, an electronic display, and processors that automatically adjust temperature settings based on occupancy detection, providing a user-friendly interface and energy-saving modes while learning user preferences and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If programmable thermostats with multiple settings are provided, then energy-saving capability is improved, but device complexity increases making users intimidated and unable to use the features
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat system performs self-learning by automatically monitoring occupancy patterns, temperature preferences, and usage behaviors to generate optimized temperature profiles without user intervention. This eliminates the need for complex manual programming while achieving energy-saving goals through automated adaptation to household patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors user manual adjustments and occupancy data, using this feedback to refine and update temperature profiles automatically. This closed-loop learning process enables the thermostat to improve energy efficiency over time based on actual usage patterns without requiring users to understand complex settings.
2Ease of operation
If simple non-programmable thermostats are used, then ease of operation is improved, but energy-saving opportunities are lost due to lack of automatic adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat autonomously learns and adapts to household patterns by monitoring occupancy and temperature adjustments, automatically generating optimized temperature profiles that capture energy-saving opportunities without requiring user programming or complex interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively adjusts temperatures in advance based on learned patterns, such as pre-heating before typical wake times or pre-cooling before expected arrivals home, capturing energy-saving opportunities before users would manually intervene.
3Ease of operation
If manufacturer default profiles are used, then ease of operation is improved, but energy-saving effectiveness is reduced due to one-size-fits-all approach
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat begins with manufacturer defaults for immediate ease of use, then automatically learns and customizes temperature profiles specific to each household's patterns and preferences over time, eliminating the one-size-fits-all limitation through continuous adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static manufacturer default profiles to dynamic, continuously evolving custom profiles that adapt to changing household patterns, seasons, and user preferences, enabling both immediate simplicity and long-term customization.
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 VSCU unit optimizes energy usage by automatically adjusting HVAC settings based on occupancy patterns and comfort preferences, promoting energy savings while maintaining user comfort, and encouraging energy-efficient behavior through intuitive operation and feedback.
Implementation Method 1
a passive infrared sensor... The processor(s) may detect the non-occupancy condition based at least in part on readings received from the passive infrared sensor
Implementation Method 2
an active infrared sensor... The processor(s) may detect a person approaching the thermostat based at least in part on readings received from the active infrared sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system in an enclosure may include a passive infrared sensor, an active infrared sensor, and an electronic display having a first mode and a second mode. The thermostat may also include one or more processors programmed to change a setpoint temperature of the thermostat to an energy-saving temperature upon detection of a non-occupancy condition for the enclosure. The processor(s) may detect the non-occupancy condition based at least in part on readings received from the passive infrared sensor. The processor(s) may also be programmed to change the electronic display from the first mode to the second mode upon detection of a person approaching the thermostat. The processor(s) may detect a person approaching the thermostat based at least in part on readings received from the active infrared sensor.