U.S. patent application number 12/671371 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for the heating control system and method for saving energy.
Invention is credited to Dong-Yen Gwak.
Application Number | 20100193595 12/671371 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40341895 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100193595 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gwak; Dong-Yen |
August 5, 2010 |
THE HEATING CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SAVING ENERGY
Abstract
This invention relates to a heating control system for saving
energy and its heating control method, in which system energy for
heating rooms in a housing is reduced by separately heating
individual rooms only during particular time periods in time/day
selected by considering each room user's everyday living patterns.
For this purpose, in the system, a plurality of saving time periods
in time/day are stored in advance into a storage. If the user
selects and sets at least one of the plurality of saving time
periods for heating a room, a valve adjuster output valve control
signals to a valve controller to open or close an auto valve
corresponding to the room. The valve adjuster may be adapted of
stand-alone type or of integrated type, in which integrated type
the valve adjuster and a boiler adjuster are incorporated into a
integrated adjuster.
Inventors: |
Gwak; Dong-Yen; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARDS ANGELL PALMER & DODGE LLP
P.O. BOX 55874
BOSTON
MA
02205
US
|
Family ID: |
40341895 |
Appl. No.: |
12/671371 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
August 4, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR08/04523 |
371 Date: |
January 29, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
237/56 ;
237/81 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24D 19/1015 20130101;
F24D 3/1066 20130101; F24D 19/1033 20130101; F24D 19/1048
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
237/56 ;
237/81 |
International
Class: |
F24D 19/10 20060101
F24D019/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 3, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0078134 |
Mar 24, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0027132 |
May 30, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0050945 |
Claims
1. A heating control system for saving energy, wherein hot water
heated by a boiler flows through pipes to heat one or more rooms,
comprising: a storage stored with a plurality of saving time
periods during which the hot water distribution to the one or more
rooms is to be stopped; auto valves associated with the pipes in a
hot water distributor; an integrated adjuster having a plurality of
function setting keys outside; and a valve controller separately
controlling to open or close the auto valves according to valve
control signals received from the integrated adjuster, wherein the
integrated adjuster comprises: a boiler adjuster controlling
operation of the boiler according to values inputted from the
function setting keys to adjust the temperature of the hot water;
and a valve adjuster outputting the valve control signals for the
valve controller to close auto valves selected during the saving
time periods selected by a user using the function setting keys and
to open them for the time except the selected saving time
periods.
2. The heating control system of claim 1, wherein the saving time
periods are with time or day in units.
3. The heating control system of claim 1, wherein the integrated
adjuster includes a radio transceiver to transmit or receive data
including the valve control signals as radio signals, and the valve
controller includes a radio transceiver to receive the radio
signals and to detect the data including the valve control signals
therefrom or transmit radio signals.
4. The heating control system of claim 3, wherein the radio
communication may be one of radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth
and Zigbee communications.
5. The heating control system of claim 1, wherein the integrated
adjuster and the valve controller are connected to each other by
wire or power line modem (PLC) to transmit or receive data
including the valve control signals.
6. The heating control system of claim 1, wherein the integrated
adjuster is powered by the power supply of the boiler.
7. The heating control system of claim 1, wherein the valve
adjuster further comprises a power failure compensation section for
supplying subsidiary power to compensate for power failure, and
when main power supply is stopped, a built-in timer is powered by
the subsidiary power to continue current time counting.
8. The heating control system of claim 1, wherein the valve
controller is connected between the auto valves and the valve
adjuster, powers the auto valves by distributing power supplied
from the outside, and produces valve open or close signals based on
the valve control signals received from the valve adjuster.
9. The heating control system of claim 1, wherein each auto valve
includes a driving valve directly connected to the hot water
distributor and an electric actuator actuating the driving valve
based on an electric signal from outside, and the driving valve and
the electric actuator are detachably connected to the hot water
distributor using pipe couplers.
10. A heating control method for use in a system wherein hot water
heated by a boiler flows through pipes to heat one or more rooms,
the system comprising a storage; auto valves associated with the
pipes in a hot water distributor; an integrated adjuster with a
plurality of function setting keys outside to outputting valve
control signals to open or close the auto valves; and a valve
controller separately controlling to open or close the auto valves
based on valve control signals received from the integrated
adjuster, the method comprising: (a) storing into the storage in
advance a plurality of saving time periods during which the hot
water distribution to the one or more rooms is to be stopped; (b)
selecting and setting at least one of the plurality of saving time
periods in time or day using the function setting keys; (c)
outputting the valve control signals for the valve controller to
open or close the auto valves during the set saving time periods in
time or day.
11. The heating control method of claim 10, wherein the saving time
periods are with time or day in units.
12. The heating control method of claim 10, wherein the selecting
and setting step (b2) further includes setting or modifying saving
time periods directly specified by a user other than the plurality
of saving time periods stored in advance.
13. The heating control method of claim 10, wherein the selecting
and setting step (b3) further includes storing at least one of
compulsory open/close mode, temporary open mode, and lock/unlock
mode of any settings for the auto valves using key inputs by a
user, and checking the lock/unlock mode of any settings, and if the
unlock mode has been selected, storing (b4) at least one of new
values of saving time periods in time or day, or compulsory
open/close mode and temporary open mode for the auto valves using
key inputs by a user.
14. The heating control method of claim 10, wherein the selecting
and setting step (b5) further includes setting initial mode to
store values set by a user as initial values; and the storing step
(a0) further includes setting the initial values as the saving time
periods in time or day for each valve concurrently with main power
supply.
15. The heating control method of claim 13, wherein the outputting
step (c1) further comprises sequentially checking whether
compulsory open/close mode, saving time periods in day, saving time
period in time, and temporary open mode for each valve have been
set, and controlling to open or close the each valve based on the
results of the checking.
16. The heating control method of claim 15, wherein the outputting
step further comprises, if the compulsory open/close mode has been
set for each valve, controlling to open or close the each valve
based on the set value.
17. The heating control method of claim 15, wherein the outputting
step further comprises, if the compulsory open/close mode has not
been set for each valve, checking whether saving time periods in
day have been set, and controlling to open the each valve on the
day.
18. The heating control method of claim 15, wherein the outputting
step further comprises, if the compulsory open/close mode and
saving time periods in day have not been set for each valve,
determining whether the current time is within the saving time
period in time, and controlling to open or close the each
valve.
19. The heating control method of claim 18, wherein the outputting
step further comprises, while a valve is in close mode during the
saving time period in time, checking whether the temporary open
mode has been set, and controlling to open the valve for the time
specified by the temporary open mode.
20. A heating control system for saving energy, wherein hot water
heated by a boiler flows through pipes to heat one or more rooms,
comprising: a storage stored with a plurality of saving time
periods during which the hot water distribution to the one or more
rooms is to be stopped; auto valves associated with the pipes in a
hot water distributor; a stand alone adjuster having a plurality of
function setting keys outside; and a valve controller separately
controlling to open or close the auto valves based on valve control
signals received from the stand alone adjuster, wherein the stand
alone adjuster comprises: a valve adjuster outputting the valve
control signals for the valve controller to close auto valves
selected during the saving time periods selected by a user using
the function setting keys and to open them for the time except the
selected saving time periods.
21. The heating control system of claim 20, wherein the saving time
periods are with time or day in units.
22. The heating control system of claim 20, wherein the valve
adjuster further comprises a power failure compensation section for
supplying subsidiary power to compensate for power failure, and
when main power supply is stopped, a built-in timer is powered by
the subsidiary power to continue current time counting.
23. The heating control system of claim 20, wherein the valve
adjuster checks whether main power is supplied, and counts and
stores the accumulated total time during which the main power is
supplied.
24. The heating control system of claim 20, wherein the valve
controller is connected between the auto valves and the valve
adjuster, powers the auto valves and the valve adjuster by
distributing power supplied from the outside, and produces valve
open or close signals based on the valve control signals received
from the valve adjuster.
25. The heating control system of claim 20, wherein each auto valve
includes a driving valve directly connected to the hot water
distributor and an electric actuator actuating the driving valve
based on an electric signal from outside, and the driving valve and
the electric actuator are detachably connected to the hot water
distributor using pipe couplers.
26. A heating control method for use in a system wherein hot water
heated by a boiler flows through pipes to heat one or more rooms,
the system comprising a storage; auto valves associated with the
pipes in a hot water distributor; a valve adjuster with a plurality
of function setting keys outside for outputting valve control
signals to open or close the auto valves; and a valve controller
separately controlling to open or close the auto valves based on
valve control signals received from the valve adjuster, the method
comprising: (a) storing into the storage in advance a plurality of
saving time periods during which the hot water distribution to the
one or more rooms is to be stopped; (b) selecting and setting at
least one of the plurality of saving time periods in time or day
using the function setting keys; (c) outputting the valve control
signals for the valve controller to control to open or close the
auto valves during the set saving time periods in time or day,
wherein the selecting and setting step (b1) further comprises
checking whether main power is supplied, and counting the
accumulated total time during which the main power is supplied to
the valve adjuster.
27. The heating control method of claim 26, wherein the saving time
periods are with time or day in units.
28. The heating control method of claim 26, wherein the selecting
and setting step (b2) further includes setting or modifying saving
time periods directly specified by a user other than the plurality
of saving time periods stored in advance.
29. The heating control method of claim 26, wherein the selecting
and setting step (b3) further includes storing at least one of
compulsory open/close mode, temporary open mode, and lock/unlock
mode of any settings for the auto valves using key inputs by a
user, and checking the lock/unlock mode of any settings, and if the
unlock mode has been selected, storing (b4) at least one of new
values of saving time periods in time or day, or compulsory
open/close mode and temporary open mode for the auto valves using
key inputs by a user.
30. The heating control method of claim 26, wherein the selecting
and setting step (b5) further includes setting initial mode to
store values set by a user as initial values; and the storing step
(a0) further includes setting the initial values as the saving time
periods in time or day for each valve concurrently with main power
supply.
31. The heating control method of claim 29, wherein the outputting
step (c1) further comprises sequentially checking whether
compulsory open/close mode, saving time periods in day, saving time
period in time, and temporary open mode for each valve have been
set, and controlling to open or close the each valve based on the
results of the checking.
32. The heating control method of claim 31, wherein the outputting
step further comprises, if the compulsory open/close mode has been
set for each valve, controlling to open or close the each valve
based on the set value.
33. The heating control method of claim 31, wherein the outputting
step further comprises, if the compulsory open/close mode has not
been set for each valve, checking whether saving time periods in
day have been set, and controlling to open the each valve on the
day.
34. The heating control method of claim 31, wherein the outputting
step further comprises, if the compulsory open/close mode and
saving time periods in day have not been set for each valve,
determining whether the current time is within the saving time
period in time, and controlling to open or close the each
valve.
35. The heating control method of claim 34, wherein the outputting
step further comprises, while a valve is in close mode during the
saving time period in time, checking whether the temporary open
mode has been set, and controlling to open the valve for the time
specified by the temporary open mode.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to the heating control system and its
method for saving energy, in which hot water heated by a boiler is
distributed by a hot water distributor and circularly flows through
pipes to heat one or more of rooms. Especially it directs to the
system in which each room temperature can be separately controlled
at an appropriate temperature and the total operating time of the
boiler can be reduced, whereby fuel for heating can be efficiently
saved and the production of greenhouse gases can be reduced.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] An ondol type heating control system for heating rooms
including living room and kitchen room in a housing and an
apartment etc., generally include a boiler, hot water distributor
and pipes through which hot water heated by the boiler is provided
under floor of each room via the hot water distributor and returned
back to the boiler, whereby the hot water passing through the pipes
heats the floor so that the heated floor radiates heat into the
inside space of each room to adjust the room temperature.
[0003] This ondol heating control system also includes a heating
adjuster which senses temperature of water in the boiler or ambient
temperature of boiler adjuster to perform various functions
including room temperature adjustment, hot water heating mode
selection, hot water temperature adjustment, boiler operating time
adjustment, being-out, check-lamp conformation and power
on/off.
[0004] And there are some methods to save energy in the ondol
heating control system: reducing heating time; decreasing the
heating temperature; and selectively heating for particular time
only selected ones among a plurality of rooms including living
room, kitchen room and library room. Especially the selective
heating method is very effective in saving energy for heating water
in the boiler, with reduced heating area enabling to increase the
temperatures of the selected rooms in shorter time to setting
temperatures.
[0005] However, even though patterns of using individual rooms are
different, most homes use their heating control systems to adjust
the temperature by just only turning on or off the boiler using the
boiler adjuster, with valves for pipes in the hot water distributor
kept open all the time.
[0006] Floor areas of both of living and a kitchen rooms in a
housing or an apartment are generally designed to be as wide as
approximately half that of total rooms. However the living room and
the kitchen are scarcely used at night, especially on sleeping
time. Therefore if the valves corresponding to the living and
kitchen rooms in the hot water distributor could be effectively
controlled to be closed on sleeping time, then the fuel cost for
heating would be reduced. Similarly, if any rooms were not used
during any time period, for example, studying time at school or
working time at work, the corresponding valves could be closed
during that time to further reduce the cost for heating.
[0007] However this known heating control systems require manual
operations in opening or closing the valves in hot water
distributor to reduce fuel cost. Such manual operations are very
troublesome, especially when the hot water distributor is
positioned to particular place, for example, inside the sink of the
kitchen or boiler room. And even though the manual operations are
possible to turn on/off the valves at desired time to reduce the
fuel cost, users are reluctant to go to the hot water distributor
for manual operations of the valves, especially when it is early
morning and they feel cold. Therefore most users make the valves
remain open, resulting in unnecessary heating of rooms and
consumption of fuel.
[0008] As depicted in FIG. 1, a heating control system has been
used lately, which system comprises a hot water distributor to
distribute hot water through a plurality of pipes, each extending
into a corresponding room of a plurality of rooms, a plurality of
auto valves associated with the pipes in the hot water distributor,
valve controller to turn on/off the auto valves and a plurality of
room temperature adjusters, each adjuster being positioned in a
corresponding room and in communication with the valve controller,
whereby each room's temperature may be adjusted by separately
operating the corresponding room temperature adjuster. In this
heating control system, each room temperature adjuster may adjust
the room to have its own heating environment by using
microprocessor and temperature sensor built in there.
[0009] However this known heating control system requires a
plurality of room temperature adjusters, each positioned to the
corresponding room to separately control the on/off of the
corresponding auto valve. Also each room temperature adjuster has
its own temperature sensor to detect the room temperature according
to which the corresponding auto valve may be `on` or `off`. There
this system is very complicated and difficult to set up.
[0010] Furthermore, according to the prior art, work efficiency in
installing the room temperature adjusters within the rooms is very
low, because electric wires for installment of the adjusters have
not been in advance provided inside the rooms. To solve this
problem, a room temperature adjuster controlled by radio signal has
been developed. However this system also has problems in that it
has to use radio module of high price and battery.
[0011] To solve said problems, applicant of this application
suggested a system titled with `The system for saving energy`
(Korean patent registration No. 10-0740243, Jun. 5, 2006
published), as illustratively depicted in FIG. 2.
[0012] The heating control system of FIG. 2 includes a hot water
distributor (10), a plurality of auto valves (11a, 11b) positioned
in the hot water distributor, valve controller (20) to separately
control on/off operations of the valves, and room temperature
adjuster (30), whereby it is possible to save energy. According to
this system, one room's heating could be separately controlled
independent of any other room heating environments using one room
temperature adjuster. Thus it is unnecessary to install the room
temperature adjusters in all the rooms and it is also not necessary
to replace any heating apparatus previously installed.
[0013] Meanwhile, there are generally two methods for controlling
room temperature. One is to control ambient temperatures in rooms
based on the room temperatures detected by boiler adjuster in the
room and the other is to control water temperature based on
temperature of water heated in boiler. Most boiler system adopt one
or both of the two methods. In case that all rooms' temperatures
are to be concurrently controlled, there are no differences in
terms of saving energy between the two methods. However in case
that the room temperatures are to be separately controlled, there
are some differences in terms of used energy.
[0014] For example, first, let's consider a heating control system
adopted with the ambient temperature control method. Since the room
temperatures are controlled based on the detected ambient
temperature around the temperature detector, if the temperature
detector are in the living room, the boiler will be operated based
on the living room temperature detected by the temperature
detector. Now if the valve corresponding to the living room is
closed to reduce the fuel cost, then the temperature of living room
will decrease and the temperature detector will sense the decreased
ambient temperature of living room. However the boiler will keep on
being operated because it judges that temperatures set by a user is
not yet reached, finally resulting in higher temperatures than
those set by the user in any other rooms and thus wasting energy.
In this respect, if the rooms with no temperature detectors were
separately controlled, it would be possible to reduce the fuel
cost.
[0015] Second, consider a heating control system adopted with the
water temperature control method. In this case, the operation of
the boiler is controlled irrespective of the place where the boiler
adjuster is positioned because the operation is based on the
temperature of heated water. Thus if the areas of rooms to be
heated decreased due to a closing of any valves, the temperature of
water would rapidly increase in a shorter time. Therefore the water
temperature control method may be more effective than the ambient
temperature control method in respect to saving energy.
[0016] Meanwhile, on combustion of fuel in a boiler is produced a
great amount of water vapor and gas containing air pollution
materials, for example, carbon dioxides, sulfur oxides, nitrogen
oxides and carbon monoxides. Thus now it is strongly required to
develop a heating control system in which not only energy is saved
but also air pollution materials are reduced to suppress generation
of greenhouse gases.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0017] One object of this invention is to provide a heating control
system and method thereof for saving energy, wherein heating
control can be separately performed for each room according to
living pattern of users to reduce fuel for heating, whereby giving
optimal energy saving effect.
[0018] Another object of this invention is to provide a heating
control system and method thereof for saving energy, wherein auto
valves in a hot water distributor can be automatically and
separately switched on or off according to time periods previously
scheduled. The time periods may be particular time periods with
time or day in units, and may be set by users. According to this
system, the valve corresponding to a room that is unnecessary to be
heated during particular time period is automatically closed during
that period. Thus the energy can be effectively saved and the
generation of greenhouse gases can be reduced.
[0019] Further another object of this invention is to provide a
heating control system and method thereof, wherein the auto valves
can be automatically and separately controlled based on the days of
a week scheduled by the user. According to this system, the heating
control can be automatically performed during every week without
any further user's selection.
[0020] Further another object of this invention is to provide a
heating control system and method thereof, wherein the system is in
saving energy heating mode or continuous heating mode, it can be
freely switched to another heating mode such as temporary open or
close mode according to the user's needs and then return back to
the original heating mode. Thus unnecessary energy consumption by
the user's neglect of key operation can be avoided.
[0021] Further another object of this invention is to provide a
heating control system and method thereof, wherein a user can in
advance store various kinds of time periods as needed for saving
energy, and select one among the stored time periods to control the
on/off of the corresponding valve. And the time period selected by
the user can be adjusted with respect to start time or end time.
This gives the user flexibility in selecting desired time period,
especially when the desired time period are not found.
[0022] Further another object of this invention is to provide a
heating control system and method thereof, wherein control signals
can be transferred and received via electric wire or radio
frequency. According to this invention, the installation or
replacement of the system can be done easily.
[0023] Further another object of this invention is to provide a
heating control system and method thereof, wherein an integrated
adjuster comprising a boiler adjuster and a valve adjuster, the
boiler adjuster controlling the operation of the boiler and the
valve adjuster outputting control signals to automatically and
separately control the operations of the valves during particular
time periods selected by the user.
Technical Solution
[0024] To achieve the above objects, in one aspect of this
invention, a heating control system for saving energy, wherein hot
water heated by a boiler flows through pipes to heat one or more
rooms, comprising: a storage stored with a plurality of saving time
periods during which the hot water distribution to the one or more
rooms is to be stopped; auto valves associated with the pipes in a
hot water distributor; an integrated adjuster having a plurality of
function setting keys outside; and a valve controller separately
controlling to open or close the auto valves according to valve
control signals received from the integrated adjuster, wherein the
integrated adjuster comprises: a boiler adjuster controlling
operation of the boiler according to values inputted from the
function setting keys to adjust the temperature of the hot water;
and a valve adjuster outputting the valve control signals for the
valve controller to close auto valves selected during the saving
time periods selected by a user using the function setting keys and
to open them for the time except the selected saving time
periods.
[0025] Also the integrated adjuster includes a radio transceiver to
transmit or receive data including the valve control signals as
radio signals, and the valve controller includes a radio
transceiver to receive the radio signals and to detect the data
including the valve control signals therefrom or transmit radio
signals. Thus the integrated adjuster and the valve controller can
transmit or receive data including control signals to each other
via radio communication. The radio communication may be one of
radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth and Zigbee communications.
[0026] The integrated adjuster and the valve controller can be
connected each other by wire or power line modem (PLC) to transmit
or receive data including the control signals. And the integrated
adjuster may be powered by a power supply of the boiler.
[0027] In another aspect of this invention a heating control system
for saving energy, wherein hot water heated by a boiler flows
through pipes to heat one or more rooms, comprising: a storage
stored with a plurality of saving time periods during which the hot
water distribution to the one or more rooms is to be stopped; auto
valves associated with the pipes in a hot water distributor; a
stand alone adjuster having a plurality of function setting keys
outside; and a valve controller separately controlling to open or
close the auto valves based on valve control signals received from
the stand alone adjuster, wherein the stand alone adjuster
comprises: a valve adjuster outputting the valve control signals
for the valve controller to close auto valves selected during the
saving time periods selected by a user using the function setting
keys and to open them for the time except the selected saving time
periods.
[0028] In further another aspect of this invention a heating
control method for use in each embodiment of the heating control
system described above comprises: (a) storing into the storage in
advance a plurality of saving time periods during which the hot
water distribution to the one or more rooms is to be stopped; (b)
selecting and setting at least one of the plurality of saving time
periods in time or day using the function setting keys; (c)
outputting the valve control signals for the valve controller to
open or close the auto valves during the set saving time periods in
time or day.
[0029] In further another aspect of this invention a heating
control method for use in individual embodiments of the heating
control system described above, comprises: (a) storing into the
storage in advance a plurality of saving time periods during which
the hot water distribution to the one or more rooms is to be
stopped; (b) selecting and setting at least one of the plurality of
saving time periods in time or day using the function setting keys;
(c) outputting the valve control signals for the valve controller
to control to open or close the auto valves during the set saving
time periods in time or day, wherein the selecting and setting step
(b1) further comprises checking whether main power is supplied, and
counting the accumulated total time during which the ma in power is
supplied to the valve adjuster.
[0030] In further another aspect of this invention the selecting
and setting step (b2) further includes setting or modifying saving
time periods directly specified by a user other than the plurality
of saving time periods stored in advance. Also the selecting and
setting step (b3) further includes storing at least one of
compulsory open/close mode, temporary open mode, and lock/unlock
mode of any settings for the auto valves using key inputs by a
user, and checking the lock/unlock mode of any settings, and if the
unlock mode has been selected, storing (b4) at least one of new
values of saving time periods in time or day, or compulsory
open/close mode and temporary open mode for the auto valves using
key inputs by a user.
[0031] In further another aspect of this invention the selecting
and setting step (b5) may further include setting initial mode to
store values set by a user as initial values; and the storing step
(a0) may further include setting the initial values as the saving
time periods in time or day for each valve concurrently with main
power supply.
[0032] In further another aspects of this invention the outputting
step (c1) may further include at least one of the following steps:
sequentially checking whether compulsory open/close mode, saving
time periods in day, saving time period in time, and temporary open
mode for each valve have been set, and controlling to open or close
the each valve based on the results of the checking; if the
compulsory open/close mode has been set for each valve, controlling
to open or close the each valve based on the set value; if the
compulsory open/close mode has not been set for each valve,
checking whether saving time periods in day have been set, and
controlling to open the each valve on the day; if the compulsory
open/close mode and saving time periods in day have not been set
for each valve, determining whether the current time is within the
saving time period in time, and controlling to open or close the
each valve; and while a valve is in close mode during the saving
time period in time, checking whether the temporary open mode has
been set, and controlling to open the valve for the time specified
by the temporary open mode.
[0033] In the above all the embodiments of heating control system
for saving energy, the valve adjuster may be adapted to include; a
key input section with a plurality of function setting keys for
generating key signals to select or unlock auto valves or saving
time periods in time or day stored in advance and to set current
time; a display section to display the select or unlock of auto
valves, saving time periods in time or day or any states of
operations; input processor to process the key input signals; a
storage section for storing saving time periods in time or day
designated in advance or specified by key inputs for saving energy;
a timer for providing reference clock to count current time or day
and a accumulated total time supplied with power to valve adjuster;
and main controller for generating valve control signals to open or
close the auto valves according to saving time periods in time or
day with reference to current time or day counted by the timer.
[0034] And the valve adjuster may be desirably adapted to include a
power failure compensation section for supplying subsidiary power
to compensate for power failure, and when main power supply is
stopped, a built-in timer is powered by the subsidiary power to
continue current time counting. In the stand-alone type of the
heating control system, the valve adjuster may be adapted to check
whether main power is supplied, and counts and stores the
accumulated total time during which the main power is supplied.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0035] According to this invention as aforementioned, a plurality
of saving time periods have been stored in advance. If a user wants
to set a saving time period for a room to save energy, he/she may
just easily select one from among the plurality of stored saving
time periods, considering his/her everyday living pattern. And when
the living pattern is changed, a new saving time period can be set
with simple and easy key operation, whereby even more energy is
possibly saved.
[0036] Further according to this invention, the user can also set
in person with key operations any saving time periods other than
the plurality of saving time periods previously stored. Thus the
user can actively respond to changes in everyday living pattern to
save energy effectively.
[0037] Further according to this invention, the saving time periods
are provided in hours, in dates and in days. Thus a user can freely
select the saving time periods for each room based on the living
pattern of each family member in every day, weekday or weekend,
thus minimizing troublesome key operations due to changes in living
pattern.
[0038] Further according to this invention, auto valves can be
installed only to rooms selected by a user, and can be controlled
independently of each other by an integrated adjuster, resulting in
simple installation with lower price.
[0039] Further according to this invention, controls between the
adjuster and the boiler or the valve controller can be performed by
wire or radio. Thus wire or radio in installation of the system can
be selected considering the housing conditions, installation
constraints or prices.
[0040] Further according to this invention, if necessary, the auto
valves may be also manually operated. Thus even though some
problems occurred in the system, the heating for rooms can be
continued by manual operation.
[0041] Further according to this invention, a user can switch
`saving time period` mode to `open` or `close` mode via the
adjuster, and can make the current mode be automatically switched
back to the original or any other mode after a designated period.
Thus even in case that the user neglected to control the system,
the heating control can be automatically continued to save
energy.
[0042] Further according to this invention, the auto valves can be
switched from `on operating` mode to `close` mode and vice versa.
Thus if a user leave home for a long time due to, for example,
vacation, he/she may also easily and effectively save energy by
using the switching each other among various kind of operating
modes.
[0043] Further according to this invention, when power failure
occurred, the system keeps going on operating if it is powered
within a predetermined power failure compensation period by power
failure function. After the compensation period, the auto valves
are switched to `open` mode and a user is notified that the reset
of time and day is needed, by alarming or presenting it on liquid
crystal display to address the problem earlier.
[0044] Further according to this invention, for optimal use of
energy according to a user's everyday living pattern, the valves
can be set to close at a predetermined time before going bed and
going out, and to open at a predetermined time before getting up
and going home, whereby enabling efficient use of energy and
comfortable living with timely adjustment of temperature.
[0045] Further according to this invention, a period during which
the heating control for saving energy was used can be easily
measured using the count of accumulated total time supplied with
power. Thus system provider can install the system for free with a
user's home, and can be refunded with the saved cost of energy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of conventional heating control
system using hot water flowing.
[0047] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a prior art of the heating
control system suggested by this applicant.
[0048] FIG. 3 reflects one embodiment of this invention,
`integrated` type of the heating control system.
[0049] FIG. 4 reflects another embodiment of this invention,
`stand-alone` type of the heating control system.
[0050] FIG. 5, FIG. 6 show flows of operations occurred in
`stand-alone` type controller of the heating control system in this
invention.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows internal circuit blocks of valve adjuster (300)
of `stand-alone` type of the heating control system in this
invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0052] FIG. 4 shows desirable embodiment oh this invention,
`stand-alone` type of the heating control system for saving energy
and method thereof. This system comprises a plurality of auto
valves associated with hot water pipes in a hot water distributor
(10), a valve controller (20) connected to the auto valves to
control `open or close` of the valves, and a stand-alone type
adjuster connected to the valve controller (20) and having a
plurality of function keys. The stand-alone type adjuster includes
a storage (324) for storing time information on a plurality of
saving time periods in time or day during which the auto valves are
closed and on set values inputted by a user, and a valve adjuster
(300) for controlling the open or close of the auto valves via the
valve controller (20), by using the function keys.
[0053] The detailed descriptions for each part of the control
system will be followed in the following embodiments.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
[0054] Preferred embodiments will be described in conjunction with
the drawing. Descriptions of the preferred embodiments are, in many
respects, only illustrative. And there may be various modifications
and extensions without exceeding the spirit and scope of this
invention.
[0055] FIG. 3 reflects one embodiment of this invention,
`integrated` type of the heating control system, showing both valve
controller (20) and boiler (40) connected to `integrated` type
adjuster (400) by electric wire.
[0056] The integrated type of heating control system of this
invention includes a plurality of auto valves (11a-11d) associated
with a hot water distributor (10), a valve controller for
separately controlling to open or close the auto valves, an
integrated adjuster (400) for providing control signals by wire or
radio (the drawings shows connections by wire) to the boiler (40)
and the valve controller (20) to control separate heating for each
of the rooms.
[0057] Each auto valve (11a-11d) has a driving valve directly
connected to the hot water distributor (10), and an electric
actuator actuating the driving valve based on outside electric
signal. The driving valve and the electric actuator are detachably
connected to the hot water distributor using pipe couplers.
[0058] The valve controller (20) is connected between the auto
valve (11a-11d) and the valve adjuster, powers the auto valve
(11a-11d) by distributing power supplied from the outside, and
produces valve open or close signals based on the valve control
signals received from the integrated adjuster (400) and transfer
those signals to the auto valves, respectively.
[0059] The integrated adjuster (400) is an electronic module into
which a boiler adjuster (410) and a valve adjuster (420) are
integrated. The boiler adjuster (410) controls operation of the
boiler (40) based on key inputs and set temperature, and a valve
adjuster (420) control the auto valves via the valve controller
(20). The two adjusters may be powered by a power supply of the
boiler (40).
[0060] The integrated adjuster may also have a radio transceiver to
convert data including the valve control signals into radio signal
and transmit or receive them.
[0061] The boiler adjuster (410) has a plurality of function
setting keys and controls operation of the boiler (40) according
key inputs and set temperature, whereby the temperature of the hot
water to be distributed by the hot water distributor (10) cab be
adjusted.
[0062] The valve adjuster (420) is arranged to share the function
setting keys of the boiler adjuster (410), and to store in advance
into a storage a plurality of saving time periods for saving
heating energy. And the valve adjuster can set at least one
selected by user from among the plurality of saving time periods in
time or day, and output valve control signals to open or close the
corresponding auto valves based on the saving time periods in time
or day thus set. Further valve adjuster (420) may be arranged to
comprise a power failure compensation section for supplying
subsidiary power to compensate for power failure, and when the main
power supply is stopped, the subsidiary power can be supplied for a
built-in timer to continue current time or day counting operation.
This power failure compensation section may be powered by a
subsidiary power supply, and continuously generates real time clock
(RTC) even though the main power supply is stopped. Life span of
the subsidiary power supply is desirably at least 5 years.
[0063] The valve controller (20) receives valve control signals
from the valve adjuster (420) in the integrated adjuster,
separately control to open or close the corresponding auto valves.
This valve controller has a radio transceiver for communicating
with that of the integrated adjuster, whereby it can transmit or
receive data including the valve control signal from the valve
adjuster.
[0064] The communication of data including control signal between
the integrated adjuster and the vale controller can be done by
either of wire and radio communications. The wire communication may
be done using, for example, electric wire or power line modem
(PLC), and the radio communication may be either of RF (radio
frequency), infrared, Bluetooth, Zigbee communications.
[0065] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configurations of
another embodiment of this invention, a `stand-alone` type of
heating control system for saving energy. This stand-alone heating
control system includes a plurality of auto valves (11a-11d)
associated with a hot water distributor to separately control
heating of individual rooms, a valve controller (20) for separately
controlling to open or close the individual auto valves (11a-11d),
and a `stand-alone` type of adjuster sending control signals to the
valve controller (20). The stand-alone adjuster has a valve
adjuster (300) with a plurality of function setting keys
outside.
[0066] The auto valves (11a-11d) are the same configuration and
function as in the integrated heating control system. So there will
be no further descriptions about it
[0067] The valve controller (20) is connected between the auto
valves (11a-11d) and the valve adjuster (300) and powers the auto
valves and the valve adjuster for their operations by distributing
power supplied from the outside. And it produces valve open or
close signals based on the valve control signals transmitted from
the valve adjuster (300).
[0068] The valve adjuster (300) sets a plurality of saving time
periods in time or day for the auto valves, and control to open or
close the corresponding valves at the start/end points of the
saving time periods.
[0069] The valve adjuster (300) also has a plurality of function
setting keys, and a plurality of saving time periods for save
energy can be stored into storage in advance using this keys. And
the valve adjuster (300) may desirably have a power failure
compensation section as in the integrated heating control system
for power failure compensation function to provide subsidiary power
when main power was stopped.
[0070] FIG. 7 is a internal circuit block diagram of this
invention, stand-alone heating control system. As illustrated in
the drawing, the valve adjuster is adapted to include: a key input
section (321) with a plurality of function setting keys
(321a-321e); a display section (323) to display in
texts/graphics/sound, a selection/release of the saving time
periods in time or day for individual valves, any states of
operations, and an alarm or an output message informing that
current time resetting is required for power failure compensation,
etc.; microprocessor (322) to control the overall operations of the
system for saving energy; a storage section (324) including storage
means of hard disk or flash memory, etc., to store time information
in time or day, that is, the saving time periods for the `open or
close` of individual valves for energy saving heating; and a power
failure compensation section (325) for power failure compensation
function to provide subsidiary power when main power was stopped.
The valve adjuster (420) of the integrated heating control system
also may have the same configurations as that of the stand-alone
system.
[0071] The key input section (321) has a plurality of function
selection keys, as follows: `current time` setting keys (321a) for
setting current time or day; `valve operation time reservation`
setting keys (321b) for setting the saving time periods in time or
day for energy saving heating; `valve close/open/temporary open`
setting keys (321c) for selecting closing, opening or temporary
opening for each valve; `setting lock/unlock` keys (321d) for
locking or unlocking settings; and `setting store` keys (321e) for
controlling to store settings by a user as initial mode. With key
operations of these setting keys, the user can input or select time
or day for setting the saving time periods in time or day for each
valve.
[0072] The microprocessor (322) includes a input processor (322a)
for processing the key input signals; a main control section (322b)
for controlling the valve controller; a timer (322c) for providing
reference clock to drive the auto valves or count accumulatively
the total time during which power has been supplied; a
communication section (322d) with communication interface circuit
for wire or radio communications with the valve controller. This
communication section may be implemented with radio transceiver,
electric wire or power line modem to convert data including the
valve control signals from the valve adjuster into radio signals
and transmit or receive them. The radio communication may be one of
RF (radio frequency), infrared, Bluetooth and Zigbee
communications.
[0073] More detailed description of the main control section (322b)
will be followed for each case of the integrated type system and
the stand-alone type system.
[0074] First, consider the case the main control section is built
in the valve adjuster (420) of the integrated adjuster (400). A
plurality of saving time periods for saving heating energy have
been set and stored in advance into a storage in initial state.
When main power starts to be supplied, the main control section
compares the time and day counted by real time clock of the
built-in timer with the current time and day set by user to check
whether there is a match between them or not. If there is not a
match, the main control section produces valve control signals to
remain all the valves open until the current time and day are
adjusted.
[0075] On the contrary, if there is a match between them, the main
control section selects al least one of the plurality of saving
time periods in time or day stored in advance and set the saving
time period in time or day for each valve. And the main control
section checks current time and day and outputs valve control
signal to close or open the auto valve according to the said saving
time periods in time or day set in advance for each valve for
energy saving heating. The acts described above are performed by
control logic in the main control section.
[0076] Second, consider the case the main control section (322b) is
built in the valve adjuster (300) of the stand-alone heating
control system (400). A plurality of saving time periods for saving
heating energy have been set and stored in advance into a storage
in initial state. When main power starts to be supplied, the main
control section accumulatively counts and stores the total time for
which the main power is supplied. Meanwhile, if the power supply is
interrupted, the main control section stores the current saving
time periods in time or day into the storage concurrently with the
interruption of power, to memory current mode in operation. Next,
the main control section compares the time and day counted by real
time clock of the built-in timer with the current time and day set
by user to check whether there is a match between them or not. If
there is not a match in the comparison, the main control section
outputs a valve control signal to remain all the valves close
except one valve which is randomly selected by main processor,
until the current time and day are adjusted by the user. On the
contrary, if there is a match in the comparison, the main control
section selects at least one of the plurality of saving time
periods in time or day stored in advance and set the saving time
period in time or day for each valve. And the main control section
checks current time and day and outputs valve control signal to
close or open the auto valve according to the said saving time
periods in time or day set in advance for each valve for energy
saving heating.
[0077] Meanwhile, in both cases of stand-alone and integrated
system, the main control section may continue to count the time and
day with subsidiary power supplied via power failure compensation
section, even though the main power is interrupted.
[0078] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show operation flow chart of the control
logic incorporated into the main control section in the stand-alone
heating control system. The 1.sup.st step of operation flow is to
store in advance a plurality of saving time periods in time or day
into a storage. FIG. 5 illustrates 2.sup.nd step of operation flows
(S301-S317), and FIG. 6 illustrates 3.sup.rd step of operation
flows (S320-S340). The 1.sup.st step may further include a step of
setting saving time periods in time or day for each valve with
initial values specified by a user concurrently with power supply,
which is not depicted in the drawing.
[0079] As illustrated in the FIG. 5, the 2.sup.nd step may include
the following steps: a step (S301) of determining whether the main
power is on or not; a step (S302) of storing data of the saving
time periods currently set in time, date or day into the storage,
when the power supply is interrupted, to memory operation modes set
by the user; a step (S303) of accumulatively counting the total
time supplied with power using real time clock, when the main power
is on; a step (S305) of comparing the time and day counted by real
time clock of the built-in timer with the current time and day set
by the user to determine whether there is a match between them or
not; steps (S307, 5309) of, if there is not a match in the
comparison, controlling the valve controller to output a valve
control signal to remain all the valves close except one valve
which is randomly selected by main processor (all valves remained
open in integrated type), until the current time and day are
adjusted by the user; a step (S311) of reading out and presenting,
if the current time is the same as the time counted by the timer in
the above comparison or is adjusted by the user, at least one of
the plurality of the saving time periods in time or day stored in
advance; and steps (S313-S317) of checking whether the settings are
locked or unlocked storing values selected by key inputs in unlock
mode.
[0080] In the mode of settings lock, all the key inputs are
disregarded. In the mode of settings unlock, it may be possible to
set and store selections of one or more saving time periods in time
or day, and of compulsory open/close/temporary open and so on.
Further, the 2.sup.nd step may also include a step of selecting and
designating any saving time periods directly inputted by a user
other than the plurality of saving time periods stored in advance,
which step is referred as `24 hours saving time setting`; a step of
setting compulsory modes of setting and storing compulsory
open/close mode, temporary open mode, settings lock/unlock mode
according to key inputs by the user; and the step (S317) of
checking the settings lock/unlock, if the unlock mode has been
selected, inputting and storing newly selected values of saving
time periods in time or day, the compulsory open/close mode, or the
temporary open mode, though all these steps are not in detail
reflected in the drawing.
[0081] Meanwhile, if the time and day counted by timer are
different from the current time and day set by the user due to long
time power failure, since resetting of the current time is
required, the 2.sup.nd step may further include a step of
outputting an alarm or messages thereof on display device such as
liquid crystal display. Thus the user can be informed when the
readjustment of the current time needed.
[0082] Further, the 2.sup.nd step may include a step of setting and
storing initial mode to designate values set by the user as initial
values, and when power supply is initiated, to memory the values
set by the user to set them as the initial values.
[0083] The 3.sup.rd step include steps (S320-340) of checking
setting states of compulsory open/close/temporary open, setting
states of days unlocked and current time for each valve of n valves
in the hot water distributor and outputting the valve control
signal to open or close the each auto valve according to the saving
time periods in time/day set for the each auto valve, thus
selectively and separately controlling a plurality of auto valves
in time or day for saving energy.
[0084] Speaking in more detail, as illustrated in FIG. 6, there may
be included steps (S321-S322) of selecting and checking a valve;
steps (S323, S324) of checking whether the compulsory open/close
mode are set, and controlling to open or close the valve according
to the set value of the compulsory open/close mode; steps
(S325-S327) of checking whether a day on which the heating control
for saving energy is to be unlocked is set, and controlling to open
the valve on the day; and steps (S328-S335) of, when a temporary
open mode is set during a designated period for a valve,
controlling to open the valve during the designated period and then
return to the heating control mode for saving energy.
[0085] The storage section (324) stores time data indicating a
plurality of saving time periods that may be some time intervals in
a day, or saving time periods determined by analyzing room user's
everyday living pattern to find out an average time interval of the
day during which the room is not used. For example, a sleeping time
at night may be the vacant time interval for living room or kitchen
room, and for a student's room or a salary man's room the vacant
time interval may be during time at school or work. Thus this
vacant time interval may be determined as the saving time periods.
During the saving time periods, the auto valves are closed not to
provide the room with hot water, resulting in reduction in
unnecessary consumption of energy.
[0086] Time intervals exemplified in the following are the time
periods during which auto valves are closed to save energy, and the
valves are open during the remaining time intervals not specified
in the following.
[0087] For example, in case of living room, sleeping time at night
can be divided into various time intervals to set saving time
periods as follows: 1.sup.st saving time mode of 24 p.m..about.6
a.m.; 2.sup.nd saving time mode of 23 p.m..about.6 a.m.; 3.sup.rd
saving time mode of 22 p.m..about.6 a.m.; 4.sup.th saving time mode
of 21 p.m..about.6 a.m.; 5.sup.th saving time mode of 24
p.m..about.7 a.m.; 6.sup.th saving time mode of 23 p.m..about.7
a.m.; 7.sup.th saving time mode of 22 p.m..about.7 a.m.; 8.sup.th
saving time mode of 24 p.m..about.8 a.m.; 9.sup.th saving time mode
of 23 p.m..about.8 a.m.
[0088] In case of student's room, considering times to go to school
and to get back home, various saving time periods can be set as
follows: 1.sup.st saving time mode of 7 a.m..about.12 a.m.;
2.sup.nd saving time mode of 7 a.m..about.13 p.m.; 3.sup.rd saving
time mode of 7 a.m..about.14 p.m.; 4.sup.th saving time mode of 7
a.m..about.15 p.m.; 5.sup.th saving time mode of 7 a.m..about.16
p.m.; 6.sup.th saving time mode of 7:30 a.m..about.12 a.m.;
7.sup.th saving time mode of 7:30 a.m..about.13 p.m.; 8.sup.th
saving time mode of 7:30 a.m..about.14 p.m.; 9.sup.th saving time
mode of 7:30 a.m..about.15 p.m.
[0089] In case of salary man's room, considering times to go to
work and to get back home, various saving time periods can be set
as follows: 1.sup.st saving time mode of 7 a.m..about.17 p.m.;
2.sup.nd saving time mode of 7 a.m..about.18 p.m.; 3.sup.rd saving
time mode of 7 a.m..about.19 p.m.; 4.sup.th saving time mode of 8
a.m..about.17 p.m.; 5.sup.th saving time mode of 8 a.m..about.18
p.m.; 6.sup.th saving time mode of 8 a.m..about.19 p.m.
[0090] As described above, various kinds of time intervals may be
configured and set as the saving time periods for saving energy.
The user can just select saving time periods most appropriate for
each room among them considering the user's everyday living pattern
to control heating for saving energy.
[0091] Also if the user needs any saving time periods other than
the saving time periods stored in advance, that is, wants to
operate a valve for night shift or any special time, he can use 24
hours saving time setting mode to set and store new saving time
periods for each valve and then select the newly set saving time
periods for saving energy.
[0092] In this heating control system for saving energy, a user can
select all days from Monday to Sunday in a week to be unlocked from
saving heating for each valve. If a particular valve is selected to
be unlocked, it always get open and in heating mode during the
selected day (for example Saturday, Sunday), irrespective of the
reserved saving heating time period. And on the remaining days
(Monday to Friday) the auto valve will be controlled according to
the reserved saving time periods.
[0093] Further, in this heating control system for saving energy,
when a valve is in operation of mode of saving time period in time,
it can be switched to open/close/temporary open mode. Thus, once
the open or close mode for the valve is selected, then the valve
remains open or close until operation mode is newly readjusted. If
one of temporary open modes of 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours
are set, the valve in saving mode is switched to be open for
selected time and then return automatically to the saving mode
after selected time. For example, if temporary mode of 2 hours is
selected, the valve is switched to the temporary mode and then it
will return to the saving mode already set after 2 hours, and if
temporary mode of 6 hours is selected, the valve is switched to the
temporary mode and then it will return to the saving mode already
set after 6 hours. However if open/close mode is selected, the
valve remain open/close until there will be another adjustment by
user.
[0094] For example, consider an auto valve for a student's room. If
8 a.m..about.4 p.m. is selected as saving time period and then
Saturday and Sunday are selected as an unlocked days, then the auto
valve will remain close for 2 hours of 8 a.m..about.4 p.m. every
day of Monday to Friday and it will be open during the remaining
time of weekday, Saturday and Sunday for normal heating. Using this
heating method, effective heating can be automatically performed
according to the setting states for each room.
[0095] Table 1.about.Table 4 show comparisons of heating fuel
consumption quantity for 4 years of 2005.about.2008 for 4 homes (A,
B, D and E), respectively. All homes used LP gas heating fuel. All
4 homes operated a conventional heating system for each 6 months
(Dec..about.May) in year 2005.about.2006 and then the stand-alone
heating control system of this invention installed in the living
room and kitchen for each 6 month (Dec..about.May) in year
2007.about.2008.
[0096] Table 1 shows fuel consumption data of A home with total
heating area of 99 m.sup.2, which home performed saving heating
with saving time period in time for 10 p.m..about.6 a.m. Table 2
shows fuel consumption data of B home with total heating area of 99
m.sup.2, which home performed saving heating with saving time
period in time for 10 p.m..about.6 a.m. Table 3 shows fuel
consumption data of D home with total heating area of 139 m.sup.2,
which home performed saving heating with saving time period in time
for 10 p.m..about.6 a.m. And Table 4 shows fuel consumption data of
E home with total heating area of 179 m.sup.2, which home performed
saving heating with saving time period in time for 8 p.m..about.6
a.m.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 consumed gas quantity (m.sup.3/h) items year
December January February March April May total av./year no saving
2005 130 210 300 240 190 150 1220 1305 operation 2006 130 340 200
291 250 179 1390 saving 2007 105 189 194 192 185 134 999 897
operation 2008 121 180 149 175 124 46 795 reduced quan./year 17
90.5 78.5 82 65.5 74.5 408 reduced rate/year 13% 33% 31% 31% 30%
45% 31%
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 consumed gas quantity (m.sup.3/h) items year
December January February March April May total av./year no saving
2005 94 188 228 194 217 131 1052 1167 operation 2006 131 170 289
116 375 200 1281 saving 2007 156 180 163 147 170 93 909 825
operation 2008 93 140 152 150 153 52 740 reduced quan./year -12 19
101 6.5 134.5 93 342 reduced rate/year -1% 1.1% 39% 0.4% 45% 56%
29.3%
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 consumed gas quantity (m.sup.3/h) items year
December January February March April May total av./year no saving
2005 94 201 200 746 307 196 1744 1781 operation 2006 154 622 384
299 276 83 1818 saving 2007 290 248 203 191 243 85 1260 1296
operation 2008 160 364 286 237 173 103 1332 reduced quan./year
-105.5 105.5 47.5 308.5 83.5 45.5 485 reduced rate/year -85% 26%
16% 59% 29% 33% 27.2%
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 consumed gas quantity (m.sup.3/h) items year
December January February March April May June total av./year no
saving 2005 266 348 528 551 456 409 254 2807 2732 operation 2006
353 515 483 362 385 328 231 2657 saving 2007 138 278 377 114 392
216 152 1667 1713 operation 2008 133 244 606 343 92 282 59 1759
reduced quan./year 174 168 14 228 178.5 119.5 137 1019 reduced
rate/year 56% 39% 3% 50% 42% 32% 56% 39.7%
[0097] According to the table 1.about.4, gas reduction effect of
27.2%.about.39.7% can be obtained by using this invention of
heating control system. These are results achieved just by
controlling heating only for living room and kitchen. If this
system is also applied to any other rooms, for example student or
salary man's rooms, library room, dress room, in the day time, the
numerical values of the reduction effect may more increase
according conditions for application.
[0098] Numerous characteristics and advantages of this invention
have been set forth. It is understood that the description of the
preferred embodiments are, in many respects, only illustrative.
Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of
component selection and matters of shape, size and arrangements of
parts, without exceeding the scope of this invention. Having
described the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the
drawings, it can be seen the various purposes and objectives have
been achieved, and that there may be modifications and extensions
that will become apparent to those skilled in the art without
exceeding the spirit and scope of this invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0099] According to this invention, since saving time setting for
controlling heating is very convenient and simple, active saving
heating is possible to be performed according to a user's everyday
living pattern and changes in activity time in weekend or weekday.
This invention may be applied to various kinds of heating system
including ondol heating system. And since this invention provides
many types of heating control system, for example, of wire control
type, radio control type, integrated type and stand-alone type,
this invention can be flexibly applied to various kinds of housing,
apartment and building according their application conditions.
[0100] And according to this invention, since it is possible to
monitor whether the saving heating method of this invention is
used, by checking accumulative total time supplied with power, a
system provider can install this system for free in a user's
housing and then he/she can be refunded with reduced fuel cost
obtained by using this system.
* * * * *