Zoned HVAC Register Control for Uneven Room Temperatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional HVAC systems rely on a single thermostat to control temperature across an entire building, leading to inadequate heating and cooling in varying rooms due to differences in outdoor weather conditions, resulting in inefficient energy use and comfort issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with multiple thermometers in each room and a central controller that adjusts motorized louvers on HVAC registers and automates window shading using tintable windows and automated blinds, allowing for customized climate policies and airflow adjustments based on real-time temperature, airflow, and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single thermostat is used to control temperature across an entire building, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature distribution becomes inadequate in varying rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the building into multiple zones with individual thermometers and HVAC registers in each room. Each room has its own temperature sensor and control mechanism, allowing independent temperature regulation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling precise local temperature control while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture compared to fully centralized control of each parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality control by allowing each room to have customized climate policies and independent temperature settings. Each HVAC register can be individually adjusted based on specific room requirements, providing localized temperature optimization without requiring complex global control algorithms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If motorized louvers and automated blinds are added to each HVAC register, then the adaptability to environmental conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated HVAC register unit: temperature sensing, louver actuation, blind control, and environmental monitoring. By merging these components into one unified device per room, the system achieves high adaptability while avoiding the complexity of separate distributed control systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
Each HVAC register is designed as a universal unit that can perform multiple functions: temperature measurement, airflow control via louvers, window shading via blinds, and environmental monitoring. This multi-functionality provides adaptability to various environmental conditions without requiring separate specialized devices for each function.
3Ease of operation
If customized climate policies are implemented for each room, then the comfort level is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic climate policies that automatically adjust HVAC operations based on real-time environmental conditions such as outdoor temperature, sunlight intensity, and occupancy patterns. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to provide customized comfort for each room while optimizing energy consumption by adjusting operations to actual needs rather than maintaining fixed settings.
Solution Approach 2:
Each room's HVAC register continuously monitors local temperature and environmental conditions, providing feedback to adjust louver positions and blind orientations automatically. This feedback mechanism ensures comfort is maintained while minimizing energy waste by making real-time adjustments based on actual environmental conditions rather than operating at fixed high-power settings.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is described. In one embodiment, the method includes measuring a temperature of a first room of a building via a first thermometer placed in the first room and measuring a temperature of a second room of the building via a second thermometer placed in the second room and receiving the temperature of the first room via a first data communication device communicatively coupled to a first HVAC register in the first room and receiving the temperature of the second room via a second data communication device communicatively coupled to a second HVAC register in the second room. In some cases, the first data communication device is configured to communicate data between the first thermometer and a central automation controller and the second data communication device is configured to communicate data between the second thermometer and the central automation controller.