Personal comfort variable air volume diffuser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems deliver conditioned air uniformly to a space without considering individual occupant requirements, failing to provide personalized comfort effectively.
Innovation Solution
A variable air volume diffuser system with individually adjustable directional outlets and a controller that senses air pressure and flow rates, allowing for user-controlled adjustments via a user device, and includes a mechanism to maintain pre-adjustment pressure balance post-adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional VAV diffusers deliver conditioned air uniformly to satisfy space requirements, then the overall space comfort is maintained, but individual occupant comfort requirements cannot be addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is segmented into multiple independently controllable outlet vents, each capable of being adjusted individually. This allows different zones or directions to have customized airflow settings, enabling personalized comfort for different occupants while maintaining the overall space requirements through coordinated control of all outlets
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser incorporates dynamically adjustable outlet vents that can change their opening positions in real-time based on occupancy detection and user preferences. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to transition from uniform airflow to personalized airflow patterns without requiring multiple fixed diffusers
2Adaptability or versatility
If outlet vents are adjusted to direct conditioned air toward specific occupants, then personalized comfort is achieved, but air pressure balance within the diffuser is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors are installed within the diffuser to continuously monitor air pressure at various points. When outlet vents are adjusted, the feedback from pressure sensors detects the pressure imbalance and sends signals to the controller, which then coordinates the adjustment of other outlets or the main damper to restore pressure equilibrium, ensuring stable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary pressure balancing by predicting the pressure changes that will occur when outlets are adjusted. The controller pre-adjusts other outlets or the main airflow in the opposite direction to counteract the expected pressure imbalance, preventing instability before it occurs
3Ease of operation
If multiple individually adjustable outlets are provided for personalized comfort, then user customization capability is enhanced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single microprocessor-based controller is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting occupancy, receiving user inputs, controlling multiple outlet vents, monitoring pressure sensors, and implementing control algorithms. This universal controller consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate control devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full user customization capability
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
Enables personalized comfort for occupants without affecting others, ensuring that air pressure remains balanced across outlets, enhancing user satisfaction and comfort in conditioned spaces.
Implementation Method 1
sensing a pre-adjustment pressure within the variable air volume diffuser; adjusting a position of one of the plurality of individually adjustable directional outlets; sensing a post-adjustment pressure within the variable air volume diffuser
Implementation Method 2
modifying the airflow through the variable air volume diffuser such that the post-adjustment pressure is substantially equal to the pre-adjustment pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing personalized comfort to occupants of an environmentally conditioned space includes sensing a pre-adjustment pressure within a variable air volume diffuser, remotely adjusting a position an individually-adjustable directional outlet of the variable air volume diffuser, sensing a post-adjustment pressure within the variable air volume diffuser, and modifying the airflow through the variable air volume diffuser such that the post-adjustment pressure is equal to the pre-adjustment pressure. The variable air volume diffuser includes individually-adjustable directional outlets and a controller configured to regulate air pressure within the variable air volume diffuser when an individually adjustable directional outlet is adjusted. A user device in operative communication with the variable air volume diffuser includes a user interface to remotely adjust an adjustable directional outlet of the variable air volume diffuser to provide personalized comfort for the user. In embodiments, the variable air volume diffuser responds to spoken commands.