Electric Storage Heater Control via Decentralized Interface Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric storage heaters have inflexible control systems, leading to uncomfortable climatic conditions due to sluggish regulation and reliance on low-tariff electricity, which cannot react to changing weather conditions in a timely manner, resulting in temperature inconsistencies across rooms.
Innovation Solution
A control system with interface devices that enable digital communication between a central control unit and electric storage heaters, using existing cable systems or wireless connections, allowing for individual control of each heater through digital addresses or time coding, and incorporating temperature sensors and weather forecasts for optimized heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a central control device with cable system is used to control electric storage heaters, then the heaters can be controlled centrally according to weather conditions, but the control is inflexible and cannot react timely to changing weather conditions in individual rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control system into decentralized interface devices, each assigned to individual storage heaters. Each interface device can be independently controlled via digital addresses or time coding, allowing room-specific climate control while eliminating the need for complex centralized cable routing through multiple rooms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based control system with wireless communication (radio links) for transmitting control signals between the central control device and interface devices. This substitution eliminates the physical cable infrastructure while maintaining centralized control capabilities.
2Productivity
If fixed cable systems are installed for central control, then existing storage heaters can be controlled, but the system requires manual adjustments and cannot optimize energy usage dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensors in each room that provide feedback to the interface devices. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of heater operation based on actual room conditions, eliminating manual adjustments and optimizing energy usage by heating only when and where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities where interface devices can adjust heater operation in real-time based on weather forecasts, time-of-day pricing signals, and temperature sensor feedback. This dynamic adjustment optimizes energy usage by charging heaters during low-tariff periods and reducing operation during high-tariff periods.
3Temperature
If centralized control is used for all storage heaters, then uniform control policy can be applied, but temperature inconsistencies occur across different rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns unique digital addresses to each interface device and room, enabling localized control policies tailored to specific room requirements. Each interface device receives and processes control signals independently, allowing different temperature setpoints and control strategies for different rooms while maintaining overall system coordination.
Data Source
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Figure 2A
AI summary
In a control system for electric storage heaters, comprising a central control unit (1) and a plurality of electric storage heaters (12), wherein the electric storage heaters each include at least one either analogously controllable or manually controllable charge controller (14), flexible control of the electric storage heaters is achieved by additionally assigning interface devices (1) to the electric storage heaters, the central control unit and the interface devices each having at least one digital (1A; 10A) connection, the digital connections (1A; 10A) being connectable to each other, and the interface devices being connectable to the analogously controllable charge controllers and/or the heating elements.