Urban Heat Relief Installation Using Multi-Sensor Climate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urban cooling installations often fail to accurately assess the heat sensation experienced by pedestrians, leading to inefficient water usage as they are triggered by temperature sensors alone, which can result in either inadequate cooling or unnecessary water consumption.
Innovation Solution
An urban cooling system equipped with a control system that utilizes multiple sensors to measure climatic parameters such as surface temperature, ambient temperature, relative humidity, and airspeed, allowing for precise evaluation of pedestrian comfort and optimized water supply, featuring a water-retaining surface coating and a water distribution network that includes permeable pipes and spray nozzles, with a water supply system that can utilize rainwater and non-potable water sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cooling installations are triggered by simple temperature sensors, then the installation is simple to operate, but the accuracy of assessing pedestrian heat sensation is insufficient leading to water waste or inadequate cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent sensor modules, each measuring a specific climatic parameter (air temperature, ground temperature, relative humidity, air speed). This allows the system to maintain high measurement precision through multiple specialized sensors while managing complexity through modular design and distributed measurement functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed with multi-functionality by integrating multiple sensor types that can measure different climatic parameters simultaneously. This universal approach allows a single control system to assess various aspects of thermal comfort (air temperature, radiant temperature from ground, humidity effects, wind chill) rather than relying on a single temperature sensor, thereby improving overall assessment accuracy without requiring multiple separate systems.
2Loss of substance
If cooling installations use multiple sensors to accurately assess pedestrian comfort, then water usage is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring multiple climatic parameters and adjusting water supply accordingly. The system compares measured parameters against comfort thresholds and dynamically controls water distribution to cooling surfaces, ensuring water is supplied only when and where needed. This feedback loop optimizes water usage by preventing both over-watering (waste) and under-watering (inadequate cooling), while the automated control reduces the perceived complexity for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes in the environment (temperature, humidity, air speed) to trigger appropriate water supply levels. By monitoring how these parameters change over time and in response to water supply, the system dynamically adjusts operation to optimize water efficiency. The control system processes multiple parameters simultaneously to determine the actual thermal comfort condition, enabling precise water management.
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 enhances pedestrian comfort by providing targeted and efficient cooling, reducing water waste by aligning water supply with actual heat sensation, utilizing rainwater and non-potable sources, and incorporating a drainage system to prevent waterlogging and frost damage.
Implementation Method 1
a water-retaining surface coating placed at the level of an area to be refreshed
Implementation Method 2
the water distribution network includes at least one permeable pipe provided under the water retaining surface coating
Implementation Method 3
the evaporation of the water thus spread on the roadways leads to a cooling of the surface of the roadway and a feeling of freshness for pedestrians
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is an urban heat relief installation that makes it possible to address the phenomenon of urban heat islands and to improve the comfort of pedestrians in private and public spaces. The installation comprises a water-retaining surface layer (70) arranged in an area (2) in which heat-relief is sought, a water-distribution network (60), a water-supply system (30) connected to the water distribution network (60), a control system (40) designed to control the water-supply system (30) in order to authorize or not the supply of water to the water-distribution network (60); the control system (40) comprises at least two separate sensors (50) designed to measure two different climate parameters in the surroundings of the installation (1).