Visual Thermal Comfort Control for Individual HVAC Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC systems fail to accurately measure and regulate individual thermal comfort, leading to energy inefficiency and discomfort due to passive user feedback, group-based temperature settings, and limitations in semi-contact measurement technologies.
Innovation Solution
A control system utilizing a combination of semi-contact and contact-less measurement instruments, including thermometric glasses, wristbands, infrared sensors, and cameras with skeletal node recognition and Euler video amplification, to collect real-time human body data and adjust HVAC parameters for personalized thermal comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If semi-contact measurement instruments are used to track human physiological parameters, then thermal comfort monitoring capability is improved, but measurement accuracy and real-time performance deteriorate due to device impact on personnel activities and poor contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces semi-contact mechanical measurement systems with contactless optical measurement systems. Specifically, it uses optical sensors and cameras to detect skin temperature, sweat secretion, and blood flow changes through non-contact methods, eliminating the need for physical contact while maintaining measurement accuracy and real-time performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical field as the measurement medium. Instead of direct physical contact between sensors and skin, the system uses optical radiation (light) as an intermediary to transmit thermal and physiological information from the human body to the sensors, thereby avoiding contact-related measurement errors.
2Ease of operation
If contact-less measurement instruments alone are used to collect personnel body temperature information, then personnel comfort is improved, but measurement robustness deteriorates due to many disadvantages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple contactless measurement instruments (infrared sensors, thermal cameras, optical sensors) to form a comprehensive measurement system. By combining different optical measurement methods that all maintain contactless operation, the system achieves both personnel comfort and measurement robustness through mutual supplementation of the various sensor types.
3Loss of energy
If traditional HVAC systems regulate temperature based on group thermal comfort settings, then energy consumption is reduced, but individual thermal comfort deteriorates due to different thermal preferences of each individual
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality control by transitioning from uniform group temperature regulation to individualized temperature control. Each occupant receives personalized thermal environment adjustment based on their specific physiological data (skin temperature, sweat rate, blood flow), allowing different thermal preferences to be satisfied in the same space while optimizing overall energy consumption through precise, need-based regulation.
4Device complexity
If sensors are positioned away from personnel location in central air-conditioning systems, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates as sensors cannot accurately reflect the situation near the personnel position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical proximity-based measurement (requiring sensors to be mechanically positioned near occupants) with optical field-based measurement. Optical sensors and cameras can accurately measure physiological parameters and local environmental conditions from a distance, eliminating the need for complex sensor positioning while maintaining high measurement accuracy near personnel locations.
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 enhances thermal comfort accuracy and energy efficiency by continuously monitoring individual thermal preferences, reducing misjudgment and delay, and optimizing HVAC settings for improved physiological and psychological well-being.
Implementation Method 1
The contact-less measurement instrument may include an infrared sensor and a camera
Implementation Method 2
The camera is configured to collect video information
Data Source
AI summary
A control system and a control method for individual thermal comfort based on computer visual monitoring are provided. The control system may include a data acquisition device, an information processing device, an intelligent voice inquiry device, a terminal control device including a terminal controller connected to an external equipment and a biological real-time device connected to the data acquisition device and a human thermal sensation predictor. The data acquisition device includes a semi-contact measurement instrument and a contact-less measurement instrument. The contact-less measurement instrument includes an infrared sensor and a camera built with a skeletal node recognizer and an Euler video amplifier. The information processing device may include a memory, the human thermal sensation predictor for obtaining the predicted thermal sensation value and a comparator connected to the intelligent voice inquiry device. It solves the problem that the prior art cannot meet the thermal comfort.