Central Ventilation Control via Indirect Air Parameter Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing central ventilation systems are costly and difficult to implement during renovations, especially in terms of installing discharge ducts and sensors, which are necessary for energy-efficient operation and compliance with energy standards.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a central ventilation system that uses a comparison unit in the control unit to calculate air parameters based on central and local sensor measurements, allowing for adjustments to control valves to optimize ventilation flow rates and energy efficiency without the need for additional discharge ducts in all rooms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If discharge ducts and local sensors are installed in all rooms for direct ventilation control, then ventilation precision and energy efficiency are improved, but system cost and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation approach where the control unit computes air parameters for rooms without direct sensors by using measurements from adjacent rooms and passage characteristics. This mediator calculation method enables indirect ventilation control without requiring physical sensors in every room, thus reducing installation complexity while maintaining measurement precision through computational inference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of sensor measurements through calculation. Instead of installing physical sensors in all rooms, the system generates calculated measurement values for rooms without sensors by copying and processing data from rooms with sensors, applying passage resistance models and flow relationships to reproduce air parameter information indirectly
2Adaptability or versatility
If discharge ducts are installed in all rooms including supply rooms, then ventilation coverage is improved, but installation cost and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing discharge ducts serve multiple functions by enabling them to ventilate both discharge rooms (kitchens, bathrooms) and supply rooms (bedrooms, living rooms) through the passage connection mechanism. A single duct infrastructure provides ventilation coverage for multiple room types without requiring separate duct installations, achieving universality in the duct system's ventilation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables supply rooms to ventilate themselves indirectly through passages connected to discharge rooms with existing ducts. The air flow and pressure differences naturally drive ventilation through the passage-duct system without requiring additional active components in supply rooms, allowing the existing duct system to serve itself for expanding ventilation coverage
3Measurement precision
If local sensors are installed in every room, then control precision is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of sensor measurements through calculation algorithms. Instead of installing physical sensors in every room, the system generates calculated measurement values for rooms without sensors by processing data from rooms with sensors through passage resistance models and flow relationships, thereby reducing sensor quantity while maintaining measurement precision through computational reproduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation layer that translates measurements from rooms with sensors into inferred measurements for rooms without sensors. This mediator computation process uses passage characteristics and flow physics to bridge the gap between physical sensor locations and all required measurement points, reducing the total number of sensors needed
4Loss of energy
If control valves are adjusted for each discharge duct based on local measurements, then energy efficiency is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors air parameters from local sensors and calculated values, then automatically adjusts control valves on discharge ducts to optimize ventilation performance. This closed-loop feedback system reduces energy loss by matching actual ventilation needs with supply, while the centralized control architecture manages complexity through automated calculation and actuation
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Method for controlling a central ventilation system (1), comprising a ventilation unit (2), ducts (8, 9, 10), connected on one side to the ventilation unit (2) and on the other side to a respective room (3, 4, 5) for discharging air, respective control valves (21, 22, 23), each movable between a maximum open position and a minimum position, for regulating the discharge of air, one or more ventilators (20) for discharging the air, wherein a central sensor in the ventilation unit (2) generates central measurement values (26) of an air parameter, a local sensor (15) in one of the ducts (8) generates local measurement values (28) of the air parameter and a control unit (24) with a comparison unit (36) calculates the first air parameter of air discharged via another one of the ducts (9) on the basis of the central measurement values (26) and the local measurement values (28) as calculation values (33), and controls the control valve (22) of this other duct (9) on the basis of these calculation values (33).