Building Thermal Regulation Mode Selection for Transitional Weather
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building thermal regulation systems face challenges during transitional periods between winter and summer, where significant weather fluctuations occur, leading to inefficient energy consumption and discomfort due to alternating warming and cooling.
Innovation Solution
A process that selects the piloting mode for thermal regulation devices based on predefined parameters, such as phase shift and damping factors, to minimize forecast errors and optimize comfort, using an interior temperature forecasting model that incorporates easily available data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seasonal control modes (summer or winter) are used, then thermal regulation is effective during stable seasons, but the system becomes unsuitable and consumes excessive energy during transitional periods with significant weather fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static seasonal control modes to a dynamic forecasting-based selection system. The system continuously forecasts indoor temperature trajectories for both summer and winter modes and selects the appropriate mode based on current weather conditions and predicted trends, allowing the control strategy to adapt dynamically to transitional periods rather than being locked into fixed seasonal patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of control mode selection from a simple seasonal calendar-based approach to a temperature trajectory-based approach. By using forecasted indoor temperature profiles and comparing them against comfort thresholds, the system determines mode suitability based on thermal parameters rather than temporal parameters, enabling accurate mode selection during transitional weather periods
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system alternates between first control mode (cooling) and second control mode (heating) during transitional periods, then it attempts to adapt to weather changes, but it generates alternating heating and cooling that consumes excessive energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forecasting the indoor temperature trajectory before actually implementing control actions. The system predicts how indoor temperature will evolve under each control mode over a future time horizon, allowing it to anticipate the consequences of mode selection and avoid oscillating between heating and cooling by committing to the appropriate mode in advance based on predicted thermal behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring actual indoor temperature measurements and comparing them against forecasted trajectories. The system uses this feedback to validate its forecasting model and adjust its mode selection strategy, ensuring that the chosen control mode aligns with actual thermal behavior rather than relying solely on weather forecasts
3Measurement precision
If a complex forecasting model with many parameters is used, then forecast accuracy may improve, but the on-board power requirement increases and implementation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential parameters needed for accurate temperature forecasting, eliminating unnecessary complexity. By focusing on key thermal parameters and using simplified forecasting equations that capture the dominant thermal behaviors, the system achieves sufficient forecast accuracy with minimal computational resources, avoiding the need for complex models with numerous parameters that would increase power consumption
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 solution allows for efficient thermal regulation during weather fluctuations, reducing energy consumption and maintaining optimal comfort levels, while requiring low on-board power and being easy to implement.
Implementation Method 1
the control of building openings in order to promote natural ventilation, in other words the thermal transfers between the outside air and the inside air of the building
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for selecting a control mode for devices intended to regulate the indoor temperature of a building, from between an accumulative mode and a dissipative mode, the method comprising, for each of the control modes: - Obtaining estimates of the indoor temperature as a function of predefined parameters using a forecasting model, - Defining a forecasting error representative of the differences between measured indoor temperature values and the estimates obtained, as a function of the predefined parameters, - Determining a set of optimal values for the predefined parameters minimizing the forecasting error, - Determining (301, 311) a forecasting sequence comprising estimates of the indoor temperature calculated according to the forecasting model with the set of optimal values, - Determining (303,313) a criterion representing a feeling of comfort and characterizing a crossing of a minimum or maximum comfort threshold by the predictive sequence. The method further comprises: selecting (320) the piloting mode associated with the criterion representing the greatest feeling of comfort.