Thermal management method for an area of a building and thermal management facility for carrying out the method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building temperature management systems struggle with significant temperature drops in heated rooms when doors to unheated areas are inadvertently left open, leading to complex temperature compensation and energy inefficiency, especially in large areas.

Innovation Solution

A thermal management system with integrated temperature and humidity sensors in a main room and auxiliary rooms, along with open/closed status detectors for interior openings, communicates to a control unit to analyze and suggest corrective actions to optimize thermal gains, including closing doors or adjusting heating/air conditioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a central thermostat is used to manage temperature in a large building area, then temperature regulation capability is improved, but system complexity and risk of overheating increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature regulation capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the building into multiple thermal zones (main room and auxiliary rooms) with separate temperature sensors and control capabilities for each zone. This segmentation allows independent temperature management in each area, reducing the complexity of managing large areas centrally while maintaining effective temperature regulation in each segmented zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If doors between heated and unheated rooms are kept closed to optimize energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but temperature stability deteriorates when doors are inadvertently left open

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where temperature sensors continuously monitor temperature in the main room and auxiliary rooms, and door status detectors monitor whether doors are open or closed. When a door is detected to be open and temperature difference exceeds a threshold, the system provides feedback to the user via display or communication device, enabling corrective action to restore temperature stability while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If temperature compensation is activated when door is open to maintain temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of immediately activating full temperature compensation when a door is open, the patent applies partial action by first providing feedback to the user and allowing a threshold-based response. Only when temperature difference exceeds a predetermined threshold does the system suggest corrective actions, avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining adequate temperature stability for normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 effectively reduces temperature differences and improves energy efficiency by precisely managing thermal exchanges between rooms, enhancing user interaction and potentially automating corrective actions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one temperature sensor capable of measuring the air temperature inside said main room; at least one open/closed status detector for said at least one interior opening, comprising at least one temperature sensor capable of measuring the air temperature inside said at least one auxiliary room

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

the control unit further includes at least one humidity sensor capable of measuring the humidity level of the air inside said main room and said at least one open/closed status detector of said at least one interior opening further includes at least one humidity sensor capable of measuring the humidity level of the air inside said at least one auxiliary room

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHumidity sensing:

Implementation Method 3

at least one heating and/or air conditioning device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4264136B1Thermal management method for an area of a building and thermal management facility for carrying out the method
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP4264136B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a thermal management method for an area (3), comprising a main room (5) and an auxiliary room (7, 9) which are separated by a leaf (25, 27), and a facility comprising a heating/air-conditioning device (29), a control unit (31) for controlling the device, a detector (33) for detecting the state of the leaf, and a means of communication between the control unit and the detector. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: - measuring temperatures inside the main room and auxiliary room; - detecting the open/closed state of the leaf; - analysing the temperatures and the state of the leaf; - using the analysis results to indicate corrective actions to be taken. The invention also relates to a thermal management facility comprising a software means which implements the method of the invention.