Thermal Imaging for Ambient Temperature Detection in HVAC Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional thermostat systems often fail to accurately measure ambient temperature, leading to inadequate comfort levels for users due to reliance on air temperature measurements, which do not account for temperature variations within a region and do not adapt to individual user perceptions influenced by factors like physical exertion or metabolism.
Innovation Solution
The use of thermal imaging technology, specifically infrared cameras, to collect and process surface temperatures within a property, allowing for the determination of ambient temperature and adjustment of temperature controls to improve user comfort by integrating surface and air temperature data, and incorporating user activity and preference data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional air temperature sensors are used to measure ambient temperature, then the measurement is simple and direct, but the measurement precision is insufficient because air temperature does not reflect surface temperature variations that affect user comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines air temperature sensing with thermal imaging technology to create a comprehensive temperature measurement system. The thermostat integrates both air temperature data from traditional sensors and surface temperature data from infrared thermal images, merging multiple measurement approaches to achieve more accurate ambient temperature assessment that reflects both air and surface conditions affecting user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal imaging technology as an intermediary to bridge the gap between air temperature measurement and actual user comfort perception. By capturing surface temperature distributions through infrared imaging, the system mediates between the simple air temperature reading and the complex thermal environment that users actually experience, providing a more representative measure of ambient temperature.
2Measurement precision
If multiple thermostats are deployed to capture temperature variations across different locations, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from measuring temperature at discrete point locations (multiple thermostats) to capturing temperature across a two-dimensional surface area using thermal imaging. Instead of deploying multiple sensors throughout the space, the system uses an infrared camera to capture the entire temperature distribution map of surfaces in the room, adding a spatial dimension to the measurement and eliminating the need for multiple thermostats.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed target temperature is used for HVAC control, then the system operation is simple, but the adaptability to individual user preferences and conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic target temperature adjustment based on real-time thermal imaging data and user activity detection. Instead of using a fixed setpoint, the system continuously adapts the target temperature by analyzing surface temperature patterns, identifying occupied zones, and considering user context such as recent physical activity, thereby making the HVAC control responsive to changing conditions and individual preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback loops where thermal imaging data and user information are continuously monitored and used to adjust HVAC control parameters. The system feeds back the measured surface temperature distributions and user context to the control algorithm, which then modifies the target temperature and HVAC operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop adaptive control system that responds to actual environmental conditions and user needs.
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
This approach enables more accurate ambient temperature measurement and personalized temperature adjustments, enhancing user comfort by accounting for spatial temperature variations and individual user experiences, thereby improving the effectiveness of HVAC systems.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared (IR) camera can collect a thermal image of a surface, and the thermal image can be processed to determine a surface temperature associated with the surface
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques are described for using thermal imaging to configure and/or augment temperature regulation operations within a property. In some implementations, a computing device obtains a thermal image of a region of a property. The thermal image identifies at least a surface within the region. A surface temperature of the surface is determined. An ambient temperature for the region is determined based at least on the surface temperature. The one or more temperature controls for the region are adjusted based at least on the ambient temperature.