Headless Thermostat with Wireless Backup Control for HVAC Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thermostats for HVAC systems are costly due to expensive physical displays, which can break and require replacement, and their installation can damage building structures and is time-consuming, while also being limited by display size constraints.

Innovation Solution

A headless thermostat system that includes a device without a display, using wireless connectivity to receive user inputs and control signals, and an adapter unit to interface with HVAC equipment, allowing for modular components and projector-based user interfaces, enabling flexible display projection and remote software updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a physical display is included in the thermostat, then user interaction capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and reliability decreases due to display breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoiddisplay durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical display with a virtual display projected onto a wall or surface. The projector creates a visual interface that users can interact with, eliminating the need for a fragile physical display screen while maintaining full user interaction capabilities. This copying approach transfers the display function from a physical component to a projected image, resolving the contradiction between usability and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical/physical display system with an optical projection system. Instead of using a physical screen that can break, the system uses a projector to cast images onto a surface, replacing the mechanical display structure with an optical field-based interface. This eliminates the fragility of physical displays while preserving user interaction functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a physical display is included in the thermostat, then user interaction capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a projector to create a virtual copy of the display interface on a wall or surface rather than incorporating an expensive physical display screen into the thermostat housing. This approach eliminates the need for costly display components while maintaining full user interaction capabilities through the projected interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the display function from the physical thermostat unit and relocates it to a projected virtual interface. By separating the display function from the hardware, the system eliminates the need for expensive display components in the thermostat itself, reducing manufacturing costs while preserving user interaction capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If thermostat wire installation is required, then HVAC system installation is completed, but wall damage occurs and installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHVAC installation completionVSAvoidwall damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the wired mechanical connection system with a wireless communication system. The thermostat communicates with the HVAC equipment using wireless protocols, eliminating the need for physical thermostat wire installation through walls. This substitution removes the harmful wall damage associated with drilling and wiring while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication as an intermediary between the thermostat and HVAC equipment, replacing the direct physical wire connection. This intermediary wireless communication channel allows data and control signals to be transmitted without requiring physical penetration of building structures, thereby avoiding wall damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If thermostat wire installation is required, then HVAC system installation is completed, but installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHVAC installation completionVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the time-consuming wire installation process with wireless communication setup. Without the need to drill holes, run wires through walls, and make electrical connections, the installation process is significantly accelerated while still achieving complete HVAC system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11867420B2Backup control for HVAC system with headless thermostat

Publication Date: 2024.01.09 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH

AI summary

A method in a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes retrieving a control input from a remote computing system via a cellular network responsive to determining that a connection to a local wireless network cannot be established and generating a control signal for HVAC equipment based on the control input or generating a control signal for HVAC equipment by executing a backup control algorithm responsive to determining that a connection to a local wireless network cannot be established.