Temperature controller for a temperature control mechanism preventing condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing condensation and frost suppression systems rely on multiple sensors, including expensive humidity sensors, making them complex and costly, and they often require additional inputs for effective operation.
Innovation Solution
A temperature controller that uses a single temperature sensor and internal models of thermal properties to predict and compensate for environmental and device temperature changes, eliminating the need for humidity sensors and reducing complexity, while allowing for flexible application across various devices and environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors including humidity sensors are used to detect condensation conditions, then the reliability of condensation detection is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the humidity sensor from the sensor system, relying solely on temperature sensors to detect condensation conditions. This is achieved by using temperature measurements in combination with thermal models to infer condensation risk without directly measuring humidity, thereby simplifying the system while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of the thermal system that replicates the expected temperature behavior under different condensation conditions. By comparing actual temperature measurements against this modeled behavior, the system can infer condensation risk without requiring direct humidity measurement, effectively copying the function of a humidity sensor through thermal modeling
2Measurement precision
If humidity sensors are used to determine dew point temperature, then the precision of condensation condition detection is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive humidity sensors with inexpensive temperature sensors. While temperature sensors alone cannot directly measure dew point, the system uses multiple temperature measurements combined with thermal modeling to achieve the same functional outcome at lower cost, effectively substituting a cheap component for an expensive one
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the physical humidity sensing mechanism with a thermal modeling approach. Instead of using a humidity sensor to directly detect moisture content, the system uses temperature measurements and thermal models to calculate or infer condensation conditions, replacing a specialized sensor with a computational approach based on more common, cheaper temperature sensing
3Reliability
If additional sensor inputs are required for effective condensation suppression, then the reliability of condensation prevention is improved, but the ease of operation and system complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the temperature sensor serve multiple functions: it measures both the device temperature and the ambient temperature, and these measurements are used for multiple purposes including detecting condensation risk, controlling heating, and providing feedback for the thermal model. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensors for each measurement, simplifying operation while maintaining reliability
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 solution effectively mitigates condensation and frost using a single temperature sensor, reducing costs and complexity, and is adaptable to different applications by internally modeling thermal behavior, thus minimizing power consumption and ensuring effective temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
temperature control mechanism is arranged for heating of a device
Implementation Method 2
first control loop mechanism is configured to output a first predicted temperature of the gas surrounding the device
Implementation Method 3
input for a temperature signal, which is a measured temperature of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature controller (1) for a temperature control mechanism (M) arranged for heating of a device (2) is described. The temperature controller (1), includes an input (3) for a temperature signal (Y), an output (4) for a control signal U for controlling the temperature controller, and a first control loop mechanism (CLM1) can output a first predicted temperature ({tilde over (X)}) of the gas surrounding the device. The temperature controller also includes a first model ({tilde over (S)}) of the thermal properties of the device, a second model ({tilde over (M)}) of the thermal properties of the device, and a second control loop mechanism (CLM2) can output the control signal (U). The input (5) of the first control loop mechanism (CLM1) is provided with the temperature signal (Y) from which the modelled temperature ({tilde over (Y)}1) and the modelled first temperature effect ({tilde over (Y)}2) have been subtracted, and the input (5) of the second control loop mechanism (CLM2) is provided with the difference between the first predicted temperature ({tilde over (X)}) of the gas surrounding the device and the temperature signal (Y).