Thermal Appliance Controller Using Return-Time Occupancy Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating and cooling systems are often inefficient as they are left on for longer than necessary, lacking advanced control mechanisms to optimize energy usage based on user schedules and location.
Innovation Solution
A controller for thermal appliances that uses a communications interface and data store to estimate the time for a thermal appliance to reach a selected temperature and identifies connected mobile devices, associating their location with transport infrastructure, allowing it to determine when a user is returning home and adjust the system accordingly to ensure the area is at the desired temperature upon their arrival.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional heating and cooling systems operate with manual switching or timer programs, then the system is simple to operate, but the system is inefficient and consumes excessive energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting when users leave the premises and pre-adjusting the thermal appliance settings before they return. The controller monitors user location via mobile device GPS coordinates, determines when users have departed, and proactively modifies heating/cooling settings to maintain comfort while reducing energy consumption during absence periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring user location data from mobile devices and using this information to dynamically adjust thermal appliance operation. The controller receives real-time location feedback, processes it to determine user presence/absence status, and automatically modifies system operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual user behavior.
2Productivity
If the thermal appliance is controlled to maintain temperature continuously, then user comfort is ensured, but energy is wasted when no one is present
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by transitioning the thermal appliance operation from static continuous control to dynamic adaptive control. The controller dynamically adjusts heating/cooling settings based on real-time user presence detection, modifying system behavior to match actual user needs. This dynamic operation maintains temperature reliability when users are present while improving energy efficiency during absence periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting user presence/absence and adjusting thermal appliance settings without requiring manual user intervention. The mobile device application and controller work together to autonomously monitor location data, determine user status, and modify system operation, allowing the system to serve itself in optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining user comfort reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for a thermal appliance configured to heat or cool an area of a premises. The controller comprises: a communications interface, configured to communicate over a communications network; a data store comprising information regarding a transport infrastructure; and a processor coupled to the data store and to the first communications interface. The processor is configured to obtain an estimate of the time for a user carrying a mobile device to return to the premises via the transport infrastructure.