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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional HVAC systems rely on a single central thermostat, which inadequately addresses temperature variations across different areas of a building, leading to inefficient heating and cooling, as south-facing and higher-level areas experience greater temperature extremes than north-facing and lower-level areas, resulting in discomfort and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with multiple thermometers in each room, connected to a central controller that adjusts motorized louvers on HVAC registers and automates window shading using tintable windows and automated blinds, based on climate policies tailored to individual rooms, to optimize airflow and temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single central thermostat is used to control HVAC systems, then the system structure is simple and easy to operate, but it cannot adequately address temperature variations across different areas of the building, leading to inefficient heating and cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the building into multiple zones, each with its own thermostat and HVAC equipment. This segmentation allows independent temperature control in different areas (e.g., north-facing vs. south-facing rooms, different floors), resolving the contradiction by enabling accurate local temperature control while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements climate policies tailored to specific rooms based on their orientation and characteristics. Each zone has customized heating and cooling setpoints appropriate to its local conditions, allowing precise temperature control for each area while the overall system remains structured and operable
2Productivity
If traditional HVAC systems uniformly heat or cool all areas, then the system operation is simple, but south-facing and higher-level areas experience greater temperature extremes, resulting in discomfort and increased energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature setpoint parameters for different zones based on their specific conditions. South-facing rooms and higher floors have different heating and cooling setpoints compared to north-facing rooms, allowing the system to match supply temperature to actual demand in each zone, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple thermostats to continuously monitor temperature in different zones and provides feedback to the HVAC system. This enables dynamic adjustment of heating and cooling based on actual conditions in each area, preventing energy waste from over-conditioning zones that don't need it while ensuring comfort where needed
Data Source
AI summary
A method for heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is described. In one embodiment, the method includes measuring a temperature of a first room of a building via a first thermometer placed in the first room and measuring a temperature of a second room of the building via a second thermometer placed in the second room and receiving the temperature of the first room via a first data communication device communicatively coupled to a first HVAC register in the first room and receiving the temperature of the second room via a second data communication device communicatively coupled to a second HVAC register in the second room. In some cases, the first data communication device is configured to communicate data between the first thermometer and a central automation controller and the second data communication device is configured to communicate data between the second thermometer and the central automation controller.