Controller and room conditioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control systems in buildings struggle to accurately maintain comfortable temperatures due to factors like occupancy, air quality, and environmental conditions, often requiring multiple sensors and increasing system complexity.
Innovation Solution
A temperature controller that integrates temperature sensing with gas sensing, such as CO2 and VOC detection, to adjust target temperatures based on actual environmental conditions, thereby improving comfort and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are distributed along a room to improve temperature detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (temperature, gas concentration, humidity, occupancy detection) into a single integrated thermostat device. This merging approach allows the system to achieve comprehensive environmental monitoring and accurate temperature control without distributing multiple separate sensors throughout the room, thereby improving measurement precision while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostat is designed as a multi-functional device that performs temperature sensing, gas concentration detection, humidity monitoring, and occupancy detection all within one unit. This universal design enables the system to gather comprehensive environmental data from a single location, eliminating the need for multiple distributed sensors and reducing overall system complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If PIR sensors are added to detect presence of persons, then occupancy detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates occupancy detection functionality into the existing thermostat device by utilizing gas concentration sensors already present in the system. Instead of adding separate PIR sensors, the system detects occupancy through changes in CO2 and VOC concentrations, thereby improving adaptability while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The gas concentration sensors serve multiple functions: they monitor air quality for comfort control and simultaneously detect occupancy by identifying changes in gas concentrations caused by human presence. This multi-functionality approach enhances versatility without requiring additional dedicated occupancy sensors
3Measurement precision
If gas sensing means are integrated into the temperature controller, then temperature control accuracy considering apparent temperature is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates gas concentration sensing capabilities directly into the thermostat device, combining temperature sensing and gas detection functions in a single unit. This allows the system to calculate apparent temperature more accurately by considering both temperature and gas concentration effects, while avoiding the complexity of separate distributed sensing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostat is designed as a universal environmental control device that simultaneously monitors temperature, gas concentrations (CO2, VOCs), humidity, and occupancy. By consolidating these multiple sensing functions into one device, the system achieves precise apparent temperature control without proportionally increasing device complexity
4Use of energy by stationary object
If scheduled heating is implemented to control temperature only when needed, then energy consumption is reduced, but ease of operation worsens due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements occupancy-based feedback control where the thermostat automatically adjusts heating operations based on detected occupancy status and environmental conditions. When occupancy is detected or comfort conditions are not met, the system activates heating without requiring manual user intervention, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostat system performs self-adjustment based on sensor inputs, automatically determining when heating is needed based on occupancy detection and environmental monitoring. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual scheduling or intervention, allowing the system to reduce energy consumption autonomously while remaining easy to operate
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 provides more accurate and comfortable temperature control by considering apparent temperature influenced by gas concentrations and humidity, while potentially reducing the need for multiple sensors and simplifying system complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The controller also includes gas sensing means, such as a carbon dioxide sensor and a VOC sensor
Implementation Method 2
The controller includes temperature sensing means arranged to sense air circulating through the duct of the HVAC system
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A temperature controller comprises a temperature regulator and temperature sensing means. The temperature regulator is adapted to regulate the temperature at a location towards a target temperature value, taking into account the value of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensing means. The temperature controller comprises further sensing means for detecting gas, or a concentration thereof. Further, the temperature regulator is adapted to tune the target temperature value in accordance with the output of the further detection means. A room conditioning system including such controller is described. A further method for controlling the temperature, based on the use of a temperature sensing means and a gas sensing means included in a temperature controller, is also described.