Occupancy-Based Zone Climate Control Using Radio Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional climate control systems in dwellings often fail to maintain a comfortable temperature across all areas, leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary energy consumption, as they rely on centralized temperature sensors and manual adjustments, which can result in zones being either too warm or too cold, and require cumbersome timer settings.
Innovation Solution
An occupancy-based climate control system that uses radio signaling and triangulation to detect the location of occupants within zones, allowing for zone-specific climate control and adaptive timer settings based on occupancy patterns, thereby optimizing energy use and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If centralized temperature sensors and manual adjustments are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the temperature distribution across zones becomes uneven and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dwelling into multiple zones with individual temperature sensors and climate control for each zone. This segmentation allows independent temperature management in each zone, improving temperature distribution uniformity while reducing overall energy consumption by conditioning only occupied zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality control by providing customized climate conditions for each zone based on actual occupancy and temperature measurements. Each zone receives tailored climate control rather than uniform centralized control, optimizing both comfort and energy efficiency.
2Temperature
If centralized climate control is used, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to different zone requirements is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The climate control system is segmented into independent zone controllers, each managing its own zone's temperature based on local sensor data and occupancy information. This modular approach enhances adaptability to different zone requirements while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized control units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts climate control settings for each zone based on real-time occupancy detection and temperature measurements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to changing conditions in each zone independently, improving climate control adaptability without requiring overly complex centralized management.
3Extent of automation
If manual timer settings are used, then the automation level is low, but the setup process becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting occupancy in each zone and adjusting climate control settings accordingly, eliminating the need for manual timer configuration. The system learns occupancy patterns and autonomously optimizes climate control, achieving high automation while maintaining ease of operation through automatic setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops that continuously monitor occupancy sensors and temperature measurements, then automatically adjust climate control settings. This feedback mechanism enables high-level automation where the system adapts to changing conditions in real-time without requiring manual intervention or complex timer setup by the user.
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 system efficiently maintains desired climate conditions in occupied zones while minimizing energy consumption by transferring conditioned air and adjusting settings based on occupancy, providing a more balanced and comfortable environment with reduced manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
uses radio signaling and triangulation to detect the location of occupants within zones
Data Source
AI summary
An occupancy detector provides for an automated means of detecting the location of an occupant. Methods to determine with a high degree of certainty if a user is at (or occupying) a specific physical location or region are provided, using a wide variety of radio signaling technologies readily available on a wide scale due to the prevalence of wireless radio communications systems. The occupancy detector may be used to deliver a variety of services from targeted advertising in a supermarket to home automation systems. An example of a system for controlling the climate in a dwelling comprising multiple zones representing small areas such as for example rooms is described using the occupancy detection algorithms.