Smart Heating Management via Alternating Radiant Element Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heating systems in residential and commercial buildings suffer from inefficiencies, leading to high energy consumption, discomfort, and increased costs due to the use of high electrical power, as they rely on single thermostats and inefficient temperature management, resulting in significant temperature fluctuations and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A smart management system for heating plants, utilizing a central control device connected to temperature sensors and actuators, which alternately powers groups of radiant heating elements to maintain constant temperatures with minimal variations, reducing energy consumption and improving comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heating systems operate heating elements at maximum power until set temperature is reached, then heating effectiveness is improved, but temperature fluctuations increase and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by operating heating elements in alternating cycles of maximum power and zero power, rather than continuous operation. The system switches heating elements on and off in sequential groups, creating a periodic heating pattern that maintains temperature stability while reducing overall energy consumption compared to conventional continuous maximum-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heating plant into multiple independent heating elements distributed across different zones. Instead of operating all elements simultaneously at maximum power, the system divides them into groups that operate alternately, allowing temperature maintenance with reduced total power consumption and improved energy efficiency.
2Temperature
If electrical radiant heating elements are used to heat environments, then heating performance is improved, but electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by switching electrical radiant heating elements on and off in alternating cycles. Heating elements operate at maximum power only during necessary intervals, then are turned off completely, creating a periodic operation pattern that maintains heating performance while significantly reducing average electrical power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electrical radiant heating system into multiple zones with independent heating elements. By distributing the heating load across segmented zones and operating them alternately rather than simultaneously, the system maintains overall heating performance while reducing peak and average electrical power requirements.
3Device complexity
If single thermostat systems are used for temperature management, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature control system into multiple thermostats, each managing a specific zone with its own heating elements. This segmentation allows each thermostat to precisely control its local zone temperature independently, improving overall temperature control precision while maintaining relatively simple individual thermostat devices.
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 achieves constant thermal comfort, reduces electric power usage by up to 50%, and optimizes energy efficiency by minimizing temperature fluctuations and power consumption, lowering operational costs and enhancing living comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The smart management method according to the invention is dedicated to heating plants 10. It concerns the management of the heating plant 10 of a building or portion thereof... The radiant elements 6 are heating elements suitable to provide heat to the environment mainly by irradiation and are powered by means of electric current.
Implementation Method 2
The radiant elements 6 are heating elements suitable to provide heat to the environment mainly by irradiation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A heating method and system for heating a plurality of zones by means of radiators, the zones and the radiators being divided in two groups, the radiators of each group being activated in alternating period, each radiator being activated during the corresponding period for an on-time depending on the measured temperature of the radiator.