Building Climate Control Using Passive-First Comfort Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control apparatuses for building spaces unnecessarily consume energy by performing cooling operations based solely on outside air temperature, regardless of human comfort needs.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that selectively operates an active device and a passive device to adjust room temperature by comparing outside air temperature with a set threshold, switching between passive and active controls based on comfort levels, using outside air and external light for natural environment usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the conventional control apparatus performs cooling operation when outside air temperature exceeds set value, then the room temperature can be maintained, but energy is unnecessarily consumed when no one needs cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus performs preliminary actions by predicting future temperature trends and pre-adjusting the room temperature before the outside air temperature becomes unfavorable. This allows the system to prepare for upcoming temperature changes without immediately activating energy-consuming cooling operations, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring comfort when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by monitoring not only current outside air temperature but also temperature trends and user presence information. This feedback enables the control apparatus to adjust its operation dynamically, activating cooling only when actually needed based on real-time conditions rather than relying solely on preset temperature thresholds.
2Device complexity
If the control apparatus uses only outside air temperature as control criterion, then the control logic is simple, but it cannot accurately reflect human comfort needs
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus integrates multiple functions into a single system by combining outside air temperature monitoring, temperature trend prediction, user presence detection, and automated control decisions. This multi-functional approach allows the system to accurately reflect human comfort needs without requiring complex separate systems for each function, achieving precision enhancement while managing complexity through integration.
3Loss of energy
If the control apparatus activates active device immediately when outside air temperature is unfavorable, then comfort can be ensured, but energy waste occurs due to unnecessary operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting temperature changes and pre-adjusting room conditions before unfavorable outside temperatures actually impact comfort. This allows the active device to be activated earlier and for shorter durations, reducing energy waste while maintaining the same level of automatic comfort control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time conditions including outside air temperature trends, predicted temperature changes, and user presence information. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize energy consumption by activating the active device only when and for as long as actually needed, rather than following fixed temperature-based rules.
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 reduces energy waste by only activating the active device when necessary, ensuring comfort while minimizing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
natural environment usage control which changes the room temperature by using at least one of outside air and external light
Implementation Method 2
natural environment usage control which changes the room temperature by using at least one of outside air and external light
Data Source
AI summary
A comparison unit compares the outside air temperature in outside air temperature information acquired by an outside air temperature acquisition unit with an outside air temperature threshold that has been set by a threshold setting unit. A first information acquisition unit acquires ON operation information. A device control unit performs passive control when the outside air temperature is in a temperature range on a comfortable side with respect to the outside air temperature threshold. Where the outside air temperature is in a temperature range on an uncomfortable side with respect to the outside air temperature threshold, the device control unit performs passive control until an ON operation is performed and performs active control once the ON operation is performed. The passive control involves performing OFF control of the active device and natural environment usage control of a passive device. The active control involves performing ON control of the active device.