Operation of environmental control system during thermostat failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a thermostat in an environmental control system fails, the system becomes non-operational, leading to user discomfort and dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A secondary controller is identified and trained by the thermostat to take over control of the environmental control system upon detecting a thermostat failure, allowing the system to continue operating based on transferred setpoints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single thermostat is used to control the environmental control system, then the system structure is simple and easy to operate, but the system reliability deteriorates when the thermostat fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designates a secondary controller in advance before any failure occurs. This secondary controller is pre-configured and ready to take over control of the environmental control system if the primary thermostat fails, ensuring continuity of operation without requiring complex real-time decision-making during failure scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a secondary controller as an intermediary component that can mediate between the environmental control system and the primary thermostat. When the thermostat fails, the secondary controller steps in as a mediator to maintain system operation, effectively distributing the control function across multiple components.
2Ease of operation
If the thermostat fails, then the system becomes non-operational leading to user discomfort, but adding redundancy increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a standby backup and as an active controller when needed. It can perform the same control functions as the primary thermostat, including receiving user inputs, processing setpoints, and controlling HVAC equipment, making it a universal controller that can replace the primary thermostat if necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the control parameter state by switching from single-thermostat control to dual-controller operation when failure is detected. The patent monitors communication status and operational parameters to detect thermostat failure, then transitions the system state to activate the secondary controller, maintaining continuous operation without requiring hardware changes.
3Reliability
If a secondary controller is added for failover capability, then system reliability improves, but the device complexity and initial setup increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the secondary controller automatically trains itself by receiving and storing setpoints from the primary thermostat during normal operation. When the thermostat fails, the system automatically transitions to secondary controller operation without requiring manual reconfiguration or intervention, reducing setup complexity and enabling easy deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The training process is performed in advance during normal system operation, before any failure occurs. The secondary controller accumulates and stores control parameters, setpoints, and operational data from the primary thermostat over time, so that when failover is needed, the transition is immediate and seamless without requiring complex real-time configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating an environmental control system, the method including at a thermostat, identifying a controller in the environmental control system as a secondary controller; training the secondary controller by transferring setpoints from the thermostat to the secondary controller; detecting a failure in the thermostat indicating that the thermostat no longer controlling the environmental control system; in response to the failure in the thermostat, controlling the environmental control system using the secondary controller.