Underfloor heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional underfloor heating systems require a dedicated controller for each thermal actuator, leading to complex wiring, high voltage risks, imprecise control, and limited scalability due to the need for multiple actuators, which increases installation costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

An underfloor heating system utilizing a network of intelligent, modulating motorized valves connected via an electrical bus that receives power and data signals, allowing local processing of valve set points and eliminating the need for a dedicated controller, enabling scalable and safer installations with reduced cabling and lower voltage usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermal actuators are controlled by a dedicated underfloor heating controller using mains voltage, then the heating zones can be controlled, but the wiring becomes complex and requires qualified electrician installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidwiring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/electrical control system with microprocessor-based thermal actuators that are controlled by low-voltage digital signals. Each thermal actuator contains an integrated circuit that receives control signals and drives the valve mechanism, eliminating the need for complex high-voltage wiring and dedicated controllers while maintaining reliable heating zone control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple thermal actuators are wired in parallel back to the controller, then each heating loop can be controlled independently, but the amount of cabling increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent zone controlVSAvoidcabling quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Each thermal actuator is equipped with an integrated control circuit and memory that stores heating schedules and zone parameters. The actuators autonomously process control signals and manage their own operation without requiring a central controller to process all decisions, thereby reducing the need for extensive cabling while maintaining independent zone control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If high voltage is used to operate thermal actuators, then the actuators can be actuated reliably, but safety risks and isolation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator operation reliabilityVSAvoidhigh voltage safety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating voltage parameter from high mains voltage to low voltage (typically 5-24V) for controlling the thermal actuators. The low-voltage control system uses microprocessors and integrated circuits that can reliably drive the valve mechanisms without the safety hazards of high voltage, while still providing sufficient power for actuator operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If conventional thermal actuators are used, then the heating loops can be controlled, but the actuators are slow and imprecise in operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow control capabilityVSAvoidactuator response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional slow-responding thermal actuators with motor-driven or electronically actuated valves that respond rapidly to control signals. The electronic control circuits provide precise modulation of valve opening, enabling fast and accurate flow control that dramatically improves response speed while maintaining ease of operation through digital control interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Adaptability or versatility

If a dedicated underfloor heating controller is used to map heating zones to thermal actuators, then the system can be controlled, but installation errors may occur due to non-intuitive mapping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezone-actuator mappingVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Each thermal actuator contains an integrated control circuit with stored identification data and heating schedule information. During installation, the actuators can be individually configured and identified, and the system automatically associates them with the correct heating zones without requiring complex manual mapping in a central controller, thereby simplifying installation and reducing errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3919821A1Underfloor heating

Publication Date: 2021.12.08 PITTWAY SARL

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AI summary

An underfloor heating system (200) comprises a plurality of valves (204) configured to control the flow of a heating fluid through a plurality of heating loops (124) associated with one or more heating zones (122); and an electrical bus (202) connected to the valves (204) for providing power and data signals to the valves (204), wherein each valve (204) is configured to apply a respective valve set point in dependence on the data signals received over the electrical bus (202).