Building Space Reassignment for Occupancy and HVAC Balance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Building management systems face challenges in balancing space utilization, leading to inefficiencies such as reduced productivity, health risks, and excessive energy consumption due to over- or under-utilization of spaces, which existing technologies have not effectively addressed.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that identify over- and under-utilized spaces by processing individual preferences and space ratings, reassigning individuals from over-utilized spaces to under-utilized ones, and adjusting building equipment configurations to optimize energy efficiency and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If employees are assigned to multiple spaces to maximize space utilization, then space utilization improves, but productivity decreases due to obstructions and distractions
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors space utilization metrics and employee productivity data, then automatically adjusts space assignments by generating reassignment recommendations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that space allocation decisions are based on real-time conditions, optimizing both utilization and productivity simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts space assignments based on changing conditions such as occupancy levels, employee preferences, and productivity metrics. Rather than static assignments, the system continuously optimizes who is assigned to which spaces, making the allocation flexible and adaptive to current needs
2Adaptability or versatility
If employees are assigned to multiple spaces to maximize space utilization, then space utilization improves, but health risks increase due to proximity and disease transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors health-related metrics including occupancy density and generates reassignment recommendations that reduce proximity risks. When spaces become over-utilized, the system automatically identifies employees who should be reassigned to reduce density and health risks
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the occupancy parameter by reassigning employees from over-utilized spaces to under-utilized spaces. This parameter adjustment directly addresses health risks by reducing density in crowded spaces while maintaining overall space utilization
3Ease of operation
If HVAC equipment operates in under-utilized spaces to maintain comfort, then employee comfort is ensured, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors space utilization in real-time and provides feedback to adjust HVAC operations. When a space is identified as under-utilized, the system recommends adjusting HVAC settings to reduce energy consumption while maintaining comfort for the actual occupants
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining full HVAC operation in all spaces, the system applies partial action by adjusting HVAC settings based on actual occupancy levels. Under-utilized spaces receive reduced HVAC service, eliminating excessive energy consumption while still meeting the needs of occupied spaces
4Use of energy by moving object
If employees are reassigned from over-utilized to under-utilized spaces, then energy consumption decreases, but employee preference satisfaction may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously - occupancy distribution, energy consumption, and preference satisfaction. By optimizing the overall assignment rather than individual preferences, the system achieves energy savings while maintaining acceptable preference satisfaction through aggregate optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial reassignment rather than moving all employees, focusing on the minimum necessary changes to achieve energy savings. This partial action approach maintains preference satisfaction for most employees while still achieving the energy optimization goal
Data Source
AI summary
A method for balancing space utilization in a building. The method includes identifying a first space and a second space of a building; determining, for a plurality of individuals assigned to the first space, (i) first differences between first preferences of the plurality of individuals for a first characteristic of the second space and a first value of the first characteristic, and (ii) second differences between second preferences of the plurality of individuals for a second characteristic of the second space and a second value of the second characteristic; determining a subset of individuals to move from the first space to the second space based on a combination of the first differences and the second differences; and implementing a reassignment of the subset of individuals to the second space or generating, by the one or more processors, a recommendation to reassign the subset of individuals to the second space.