U.S. patent application number 10/867919 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-15 for system to control environmental conditions in a living space.
Invention is credited to Banerjee, Chinmoy, Wu, Guolian.
Application Number | 20050277381 10/867919 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35461146 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050277381 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Banerjee, Chinmoy ; et
al. |
December 15, 2005 |
System to control environmental conditions in a living space
Abstract
A system to control environmental conditions in a living space,
including an appliance to modify an environmental condition, an air
moving device, a control to operate the appliance and to operate
the device at the multiple velocities, an environmental sensor, and
an input device to permit a user to input a desired environmental
value. One or more sensors may communicate with the control to
provide input parameters for the control. The sensors and the
control may be directly attached to or part of one or more of the
appliances or devices, or may be contained in a separate unit fixed
in the living space, or movable, remote control unit. Communication
between the control and the appliances and devices may be
accomplished through a hard wired connection or a wireless
connection. Environmental conditions that may be modified include
air humidity, air temperature, air purity, and air
stratification.
Inventors: |
Banerjee, Chinmoy; (St.
Joseph, MI) ; Wu, Guolian; (St. Joseph, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WHIRLPOOL PATENTS COMPANY - MD 0750
500 RENAISSANCE DRIVE - SUITE 102
ST. JOSEPH
MI
49085
US
|
Family ID: |
35461146 |
Appl. No.: |
10/867919 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/229 ;
454/236 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2110/50 20180101;
F24F 2110/00 20180101; F24F 2110/10 20180101; F24F 11/30 20180101;
Y02B 30/70 20130101; F24F 11/56 20180101; F24F 11/77 20180101; F24F
2110/20 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/229 ;
454/236 |
International
Class: |
F24F 011/02 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A system to control temperature conditions in a living space,
comprising: a temperature modifying appliance operable to modify
air temperature at one or more rates, a separate air moving device
operable to move air at multiple controlled velocities, a control
operable to operate said air moving device at said multiple
controlled velocities, and to operate said temperature modifying
appliance, a temperature sensor operatively connected to said
control, an input device operatively connected to said control to
permit a user to input a desired temperature value, whereas said
control is operative to operate said temperature modifying
appliance and said air moving device at various of said multiple
controlled velocities based upon sensed temperatures at said sensor
over time.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said control is operative
to operate said air moving device at a particular velocity to
achieve a sensed temperature in said living space at said desired
temperature value.
3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said air moving device
comprises a ceiling fan.
4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said air moving device
comprises a plurality of fans in said living space.
5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said control comprises a
remote control device operative to communicate with said air moving
device via a wireless connection.
6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said air moving device
comprises a ceiling fan, said appliance to modify air temperature
comprises a room air conditioner, and said common control comprises
a remote control device operative to communicate with said ceiling
fan and said room air conditioner via a wireless connection.
7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor
comprises a plurality of temperature sensors positioned at a
plurality of locations in said living space.
8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said appliance to modify
air temperature comprises an HVAC unit.
9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said appliance to modify
air temperature comprises a heater.
10. A system to control environmental conditions in a living space,
comprising: an appliance to modify an environmental condition, an
air moving device operable to move air at multiple controlled
velocities, a control operable to operate said appliance and said
air moving device at said multiple controlled velocities, an
environmental sensor operatively connected to said control, an
input device operatively connected to said control to permit a user
to input a desired environmental value, whereas said control is
operative to operate said appliance and said air moving device at
various of said multiple controlled velocities based upon sensed
environmental conditions at said sensor over time.
11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said environmental
condition comprises air humidity.
12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said appliance
comprises a humidifier.
13. A system according to claim 11, wherein said appliance
comprises a dehumidifier.
14. A system according to claim 10, wherein said environmental
condition comprises air temperature.
15. A system according to claim 14, wherein said appliance
comprises a heater.
16. A system according to claim 14, wherein said appliance
comprises an air conditioner.
17. A system according to claim 10, wherein said environmental
condition comprises air purity.
18. A system according to claim 17, wherein said appliance
comprises an appliance to purify air.
19. A system to control temperature conditions in a living space,
comprising: a fan operable to move air at multiple controlled
speeds, a fan control operable to operate said fan at said multiple
controlled speeds, an air conditioning appliance to cool air within
said living space, an air conditioning control operable to operate
said air conditioner as required, a temperature sensor operatively
connected to said control, an input device operatively connected to
said control to permit a user to input a desired temperature value,
whereas said fan control is operative to operate said fan at
various of said multiple controlled speeds and said air conditioner
control is operative to operate said air conditioner, based upon
sensed temperatures at said sensor over time.
20. A system according to claim 19, including a remote control
device operative to command said air conditioner control and said
fan control.
21. A system according to claim 19, including a remove control
device incorporating said temperature sensor therein.
22. A system according to claim 19, wherein said fan includes a
temperature sensor.
23. A system according to claim 19, wherein said fan comprises a
ceiling fan.
24. A system according to claim 19, wherein said fan comprises a
free standing fan.
25. A system according to claim 19, wherein said fan comprises
multiple fans.
26. A control to provide communication of control signals between
one or more environmental condition modifying appliances and one or
more separate air moving devices.
27. A control according to claim 26, wherein said control is
located in one of said appliances.
28. A control according to claim 26, wherein said control is
located in one of said air moving devices.
29. A control according to claim 26, wherein said control is
located in a movable remote control device.
30. A control according to claim 26, wherein said control
communicates with said appliances and said devices via a wireless
connection.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a system to control
environmental conditions in a living space.
[0002] Environmental conditions in a living space include
temperature, humidity and air purity, among others. Appliances are
known for modifying these environmental conditions including air
conditioners, heaters, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air
purifiers, among other devices. While the term living space
generally includes enclosed spaces where living things such as
people, animals and/or plants are located, the term as used herein
is also meant to include any other space having a fluid atmosphere
where certain conditions of that atmosphere are to be modified.
[0003] Typically, such environmental condition treatment appliances
may include a sensor to allow that particular appliance to modify a
particular environmental condition that it has been designed to
modify, within a certain range, such as a temperature sensor for an
air conditioner or heater. Those sensors, however, are used to
control that particular appliance, in isolation from other
appliances or devices that may be controlling the same or other
environmental conditions in that living space.
[0004] Also typically such appliances incorporate within the
appliance a fan, blower or other air moving devices, to assist in
increasing the effect of the device on the environmental condition
being acted on by the appliance within the living space. These
incorporated air moving devices generally are relatively low in
power and effect, and may be ineffective to adequately and
efficiently modify the environmental condition within the entire
living space acted on by the device, for example, allowing areas in
the living space to be warmer or colder than the temperature
selected by an occupant of the living space, or allowing
stratification of the air in the living space.
[0005] Further, it is usual for an appliance, such as an air
conditioner, heater, humidifier, dehumidifier or air purifier, to
have various settings, including various air flow speeds, however,
once selected by a user, the air flow speeds remain in a fixed
speed condition until further changed by the user. Some appliances
include sensors that cause the device to shut off at least
temporarily once a certain condition is achieved, such as a
selected temperature, and when that occurs, the air flow device
associated with the device is completely turned off as well,
terminating forced air circulation.
[0006] In some instances separate air moving devices, such as
ceiling fans, are operated in the same living space as the
environmental condition modifying appliances, however, the separate
air moving devices operate completely independently from the
appliances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the
prior art by providing a system to control environmental conditions
in a living space, which includes an appliance to modify an
environmental condition, a separate air moving device operable to
move air at multiple controlled velocities (speed and/or direction)
and a control operable to operate the appliance and the air moving
device at the multiple controlled velocities in a coordinated
manner, an environmental sensor operatively connected to the
control, and an input device operatively connected to the control
to permit a user to input a desired environmental value. The
control is operative to operate the appliance in conjunction with
the air moving device at various of the multiple controlled
velocities based upon sensed environmental conditions at the sensor
over time to achieve a better performance, with direct or indirect
communication between the air moving device and the appliance.
[0008] One or more sensors may be operatively connected to the
common control to provide input parameters for the control. The
sensors and the control may be directly attached to or part of one
or more of the devices and appliances, or may be contained in a
separate unit fixed in the living space, or movable, such as a
remote control unit that occupants of the living space may position
near them. Communication between the control and the various
devices and appliances may be accomplished through a hard wired
connection, or a wireless connection including infrared or radio
frequency signals, for example.
[0009] The environmental conditions that may be modified include
air humidity, air temperature, air purity, and air
stratification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system embodying the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a living space with
components of the system of FIG. 1 illustrated.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an air moving device
controlled by several appliances via a hard wired or wireless
connection.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of several appliances and
air moving devices operated by a common control via a wireless
connection.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, the present
invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing
a system 20 to control environmental conditions in a living space,
which includes an air moving device 22 operable to move air at
multiple controlled velocities, a control 24 operable to operate
the air moving device at the multiple controlled velocities, an
environmental sensor 26 operatively connected to the control, and
an input device 28 operatively connected to the control to permit a
user to input a desired environmental value. The system 20 may
utilize a wide variety of environmental condition modifying
appliances 29. The control 24 is operative to operate the air
moving device 22 at various of the multiple controlled velocities
based upon sensed environmental conditions at the sensor 26 over
time, as well as to operate the appliance 29.
[0015] As schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, the air moving
device 22 may include one or more air moving devices 30 to move air
within a living space 32, and/or one or more air moving devices 34
located to move air into or out of the living space. As used
herein, the term air moving device is meant to include any device
capable of moving a gas and the term air is meant to include any
gaseous atmosphere in the living space.
[0016] As schematically shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the environmental
condition modifying appliance 29 may include air temperature
modifying appliances 36, humidity modifying appliances 38, air
purifying appliances 40 and cooker hoods and other venting
appliances 41. The air moving devices 30, 34 may include fans and
blowers, including ceiling fans or paddle fans, window fans, fixed
or oscillating fans, ducted blowers, freestanding or wall mounted
fans, whole house fans, attic fans and other such air moving
devices as are known in the art. The air temperature modifying
appliances 36 may include heaters powered by solid, liquid or
gaseous fuel or electricity and air conditioners, including
individual room units, PTAC units (package terminal air
conditioner), central units, such as HVAC units, and other air
temperature modifying appliances as are known in the art. The
humidity modifying appliances 38 may include humidifiers, such as
rotating belt evaporation appliances, mist generating appliances,
dehumidifiers and other humidity modifying appliances as are known
in the art. The air purifying appliances 40 may include
electrostatic or ionization air purifiers, filters, air treatment
dispensing appliances, such as air freshening dispensers, perfume
or other scent dispensers, and other known air purifying appliances
as are known in the art. The air venting appliances 41 may include
cooker's hoods, bathroom venting fans, cooktop downdraft systems,
and other venting appliances as are known in the art.
[0017] The control 24 may be mounted directly on one or more of the
environmental condition modifying appliances 29 or the air moving
devices 22 (as shown in FIG. 3) or may be mounted separate from any
of the devices or appliances, such as mounted in a fixed location,
for example on a wall, or it may be movable within the living space
(as shown in FIG. 4). Communication between the control 24 and the
various appliances 29 and devices 22 may be accomplished through a
hard wired connection 42 (FIG. 3), or a wireless connection 44
(FIGS. 3 and 4) including infrared or radio frequency signals, for
example. The hard wired connection 42 may be accomplished through
the use of electricity conducting wires or other materials, or
through light conducting fibers, or similar physical energy
pathways as are known in the art. The wireless connection 44 allows
the control to more easily be used as a movable device, such as a
remote control unit 46.
[0018] In an embodiment, the control 24 may be a single unit used
to operate one or more appliances 29 to modify an environmental
condition along with one or more air moving devices 22, with the
common control operable to regulate the operation of each of the
appliances and devices based upon changes to a sensed environmental
condition over time. Each of the appliances 29 and devices 22 may
have its own control which in turn is operated by the common
control 24 or whose operation is coordinated through communication
facilitated by the control 24, or the common control may itself
control all of the functions of the appliances and devices. One or
more sensors 26 may be operatively connected to the common control
24 to provide input parameters for the control. The sensors 26 may
include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, air purity sensors,
wet bulb or dry bulb thermometers, dust sensors, VOC (volatile
organic compounds) sensors and other known environmental condition
sensors. The sensors 26 may be directly attached to or part of one
or more of the appliances 29, devices 22 or the control 24, or may
be contained in a separate unit fixed in the living space, or
movable within the living space. More than one of the same type of
sensor 26 may be used and they may be placed in various different
positions throughout the living space. Communication between the
control 24 and the sensors 26 may be accomplished through a hard
wired connection, or a wireless connection including infrared or
radio frequency signals, for example.
[0019] The input device 28 may be associated directly with the
control 24 or may be remote from the control. The input device 28
may include input buttons or switches and a visual display, such as
fixed printing adjacent to the input buttons or switches, a graphic
display, such as a liquid crystal display, light emitting diodes,
incandescent bulbs, plasma screen, CRT displays, printed output,
analog dials and meters, and other known display arrangements. The
input device 28 may also be included in a computer system 46, as
may be the control 24.
[0020] The control 24 may be configured so as to emit a signal with
a predetermined protocol such that several different types of
environmental condition modifying appliances 29 and air moving
devices 22 may be used with the control, even though they may be
purchased at different times, at different locations, or from
different sources or manufacturers. As such, a generally universal
control may be provided to control a variety of different
appliances 29 and air moving devices 22. For example, the control
24 may allow for plug-ins or embedded systems that enable the
communication across various devices 22 and appliances 29 via the
common control 24. The control 24 may also be only a communication
module that allows the individual control unit of the air moving
device 22 to communicate and coordinate with the individual control
unit of the environmental condition modifying appliance 29. This
control module 24 may be arranged in a fixed location, such as
mounted on a wall, or mounted in one of the appliances 29 or air
moving devices 22, or it may be located in a mobile remote control
unit. The control 24 may also be a completely embedded system
incorporated into one or more of the appliances 29 or air moving
devices 22, as a part of their individual controls.
[0021] An example of the use of the system utilizes a single room
air conditioner and a ceiling fan as the environmental condition
modifying appliance 29 and the air moving device 22. A single
control 24, located in a remote control device, along with
temperature sensors located in the remote control device and in the
ceiling fan are used to control the cooling operation of the air
conditioner as well as the speed of the fan. By utilizing
temperature sensors 26 in both the remote control (presumably
located near the occupant in the room) and the fan, the temperature
of the air near the occupant will control the operation of the air
conditioner and the fan, and stratification, or hot and cold spots,
of the air at different elevations and lateral positions in the
room will be reduced or avoided.
[0022] The control 24 may start the air conditioner and also the
ceiling fan at a nominal speed to provide forced air circulation in
the room. The fan speed may be controlled to adjust up or down
depending on the sensed temperature of the room. The location
within the room that needs to be temperature controlled will be
determined by the user by placing the temperature sensor at the
location where the user wants the set temperature to be achieved.
The air conditioner may be controlled to ramp up or down in cooling
speed depending upon the room temperature. When the room
temperature gets cold enough, the air conditioner may turn off and
the ceiling fan may be used alone to keep the correct temperature
for optimum comfort of the user.
[0023] This arrangement will provide a more uniform temperature
distribution in the room, and may save energy in that the air
conditioner will not have to work longer than necessary to make the
space around the user as comfortable as desired. This arrangement
puts a closed loop control between the temperature sensor 26, the
control 24, the ceiling fan and the air conditioner. Further, the
control 24 can accept signals from several different sensors to
determine an average value for the condition being sensed.
Oftentimes a user tends to set a room temperature much lower or
higher than that required for human comfort to compensate for
temperature stratification. This results in energy waste. The
present system will allow the user to set the exact temperature
that reflects his or her desired comfort level, thus potentially
saving energy.
[0024] Humidity is water vapor. The molecular weight of vapor is 18
compared to the average air molecular weight of 29, thus water
vapor is much lighter than air. The vapor stratifies from air and
tends to reside in upper dead corners of a space causing mildew and
molds there. The present system help create a uniform humidity
distribution. It also helps transport humidity to the humidity
removal appliances.
[0025] For particle removing appliances, such as air purifiers and
air purifying systems, it is important to remove particles from all
space. The mobility of solid particles such as dusts is much
smaller than for air molecules. Hence, the particle stratification
is much more severe than temperature and humidity stratification.
Measurements indicate that particle concentration is much higher in
locations that are further away from the outlets of purifiers and
air purifying systems. Air moving devices when intelligently linked
to air purifiers or air purifying systems, would greatly alleviate
the problems associated with the particle stratification. This will
enhance the performance of air purifiers and air purifying systems,
creating a healthier indoor environment.
[0026] The present system also enhances the performance of air
purifiers and air purifying systems in removing odors or volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), although the stratification problem is
less critical, since the VOCs have a much higher mobility than
solid particles.
[0027] Air conditioners or HVAC vents cool the air in their
vicinity instantly, yet it takes a longer time to cool the entire
conditioned space. The present system will help achieve a quick
cooling in the entire living space. The present system will also
avoid uneven cooling or heating. The system will provide an
intelligent communication between the air moving devices 22 and the
environmental condition modifying appliances 29. In this manner,
the speed of the air moving devices 22 may be regulated to achieve
a uniform cooling or heating, or other environmental modification
as programmed according to a human comfort index without generating
a drafty feeling in the living space.
[0028] The control 24 may allow for the user to input more than one
environmental condition to be modified, including temperature and
humidity, temperature and air purity, humidity and air purity or
temperature, humidity and air purity together. If multiple sensors
of each type are utilized in different locations within the living
space, then stratification can also be modified in a sensed
way.
[0029] Measurements of temperature, humidity, dust and VOC from
devices 22, 26 and appliances 29 at various locations can be used
to determine the stratification of these parameters. Based on these
measurements, control algorithms that use fuzzy logic, neural
network, traditional on/off, PID control, etc. coordinate the
operation of air moving devices and air treatment appliances. The
speed of air moving devices can be controlled based on advanced
control theory to generate various desired pattern of winds, for
instance, "natural wind" based on Chaos Theory.
[0030] As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the
invention is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations
and modifications which may differ particularly from those that
have been described in the preceding specification and description.
It should be understood that we wish to embody within the scope of
the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably
and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the
art.
* * * * *