Underfloor Heating Bus Control With Integrated Valve Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing room temperature control systems for underfloor heating face significant wiring complexity and increased risk of errors due to the need for extensive cabling between actuators and return temperature sensors connected to the controller.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves integrating heating valves and return temperature sensors within the actuators, eliminating the need for external wiring by using internal electrical connections, and incorporating a bus system for communication, allowing for wireless or direct cable transmission of temperature data to the controller, which can also control other system components based on measured temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If actuators and return temperature sensors are connected to the controller by separate cables, then reliable temperature measurement is achieved, but wiring complexity and installation effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the return temperature sensor and actuator into a single integrated unit. The sensor is positioned in the return flow path within the actuator housing, allowing both temperature measurement and valve actuation functions to be performed from one location. This integration eliminates the need for separate cable connections to the temperature sensor, reducing wiring complexity while maintaining measurement reliability through the sensor's direct exposure to the return water flow.
2Ease of operation
If extensive cabling is used to connect all sensors and actuators to the controller, then complete system control is achieved, but the risk of wiring errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the return temperature sensor within the actuator assembly, the patent reduces the number of separate cable connections required. The sensor signals are routed through the actuator's existing electrical connections to the bus system, minimizing the amount of wiring needed and thereby reducing the probability of wiring errors while maintaining complete system control capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If return temperature sensors are integrated into the actuators with internal electrical connections, then wiring effort is minimized, but sensor access and maintenance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The return temperature sensor is integrated into the actuator housing with its measuring element positioned in the return flow path. The sensor's electrical connections are routed through the actuator's internal wiring to the bus system. While this integration minimizes external wiring, the sensor remains accessible through the actuator housing, allowing for maintenance and replacement without requiring external cable disconnections.
Data Source
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AI summary
A room temperature control system (1) for underfloor heating having several hot water heating circuits (3) for heating or cooling rooms (2), each with a heating valve (9) actuated by an electrically controlled actuator (8) in each of the hot water heating circuits (3) and with a controller (10), which controls the actuators (8) electrically in order to regulate the room temperatures in the rooms (2) heated with hot water, has a bus system (14) according to the invention, to which the controller (10) for the electrical control of the actuators (8) and the actuators (8) are connected.