HVAC Airflow Interface With Incremental Touch Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems often lack user-friendly interfaces that allow for precise adjustment of airflow settings, limiting user control over comfort levels and system performance.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a graphical user interface and processor that enables users to select from a range of incremental airflow settings between maximum and minimum values, allowing for customized airflow adjustments through a touch-sensitive display and communication interface connected to HVAC systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional user interface is used for HVAC systems, then the interface is simple, but the user cannot adjust complex parameters such as airflow settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical interface elements (physical buttons, switches, and displays) with a graphical user interface (GUI) that runs on a processor-based control device. This substitution enables the interface to present complex airflow adjustment parameters through visual graphics and touch interactions, allowing users to control sophisticated HVAC functions without being constrained by simple physical controls.
2Loss of information
If a traditional thermostat interface is used, then the device is easy to operate, but the user does not understand how to adjust system parameters or how components function together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a graphical user interface as an intermediary between the user and the complex HVAC system. The GUI translates complex system parameters and component interactions into visual representations that users can understand and manipulate. This intermediary layer preserves comprehensive system information while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive graphical interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs visual graphics and color-coded elements in the graphical user interface to represent different system states, parameters, and component statuses. These visual changes provide users with immediate feedback and understanding of system operations without requiring technical knowledge, thereby reducing information loss while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If discrete airflow settings are provided, then the control is simple, but the number of available settings is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic airflow control where the number and positioning of incremental airflow settings can be adjusted based on system requirements and user preferences. Rather than providing a fixed set of discrete settings, the system dynamically generates multiple incremental options between minimum and maximum airflow values, allowing for flexible adaptation to different operational needs while maintaining a unified control interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Controllers for controlling heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and cooling (HVAC) systems are provided. The controllers include graphical user interfaces for user adjustment of system settings. The graphical user interfaces also may be designed to present information that facilitates user understanding of system operations. In certain embodiments, the controllers may allow users to adjust airflow values within a wide range of values. In these embodiments, the graphical user interfaces may include slide bars for adjusting the airflow values.