Utility Usage Apportioning with Correlated Unit Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-unit buildings, individual metering of utility usage is often inconvenient and inaccurate, leading to unfair distribution of utility costs among tenants, as existing methods rely on a single meter for the entire building, failing to account for specific usage patterns in each unit.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a meter unit for measuring total utility usage, non-invasive sensor units for monitoring usage in individual units, and a processor unit to correlate data and apportion usage fairly among units, allowing for precise allocation based on actual consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single meter is used for the entire building, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of individual unit usage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the building's utility distribution system into multiple zones or units by installing sensor units at different locations (e.g., floor levels, unit entrances). Each sensor unit monitors usage in its specific zone, and the processor correlates these segmented measurements with total building usage to determine individual unit consumption, thereby achieving precise measurement without requiring a separate meter for each unit.
2Measurement precision
If individual metering is implemented for each unit, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensor units as intermediary devices that are easier to install than full meters. These sensors monitor usage parameters (flow, power consumption) in common areas or at unit entrances and transmit data to a processor. The processor then correlates this sensor data with total building usage to calculate individual unit consumption, providing accurate measurement without the complexity of installing and maintaining separate meters in each unit.
3Ease of operation
If arbitrary apportionment methods are used, then ease of operation improves, but fairness and accuracy of cost distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensor units continuously monitor usage patterns in different zones, and the processor uses this real-time data to correlate and apportion total building usage among individual units. This feedback loop ensures that cost allocation reflects actual consumption patterns, providing both operational simplicity and accurate, fair distribution of utility costs.
Data Source
AI summary
Usage of a utility in a multi-unit building is apportioned to a single unit by measuring the total usage of the utility using a meter unit to produce a total usage measurement, then positioning at least one sensor unit in a single unit of the multi-unit building and monitoring usage of the utility by the single unit using the at least one sensor unit to produce monitoring data. Then a processor unit receives the total usage measurement and the monitoring data and correlates them to generate correlated data. Finally, the processor unit apportions the total usage measurement to the single unit based on the correlated data.