Wirelessly configuring climate control system controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC control systems require manual access to control boards for configuration and fault data, which is difficult due to complex interfaces and can lead to misinterpretation of LED fault codes, especially in confined spaces, and replacing controls is challenging with numerous options.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a short-range wireless communication interface, such as Bluetooth or NFC, into HVAC control circuit boards, allowing configuration through a smartphone app that queries the control type, extracts parameters, and automatically populates settings, with voice command and image recognition for easy setup and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual access to control boards is used for configuration, then configuration can be performed, but it is difficult due to complex interfaces and can lead to misinterpretation of LED fault codes
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless communication interface serves as an intermediary between the control board and the user's mobile device. This intermediary translates complex control board operations into simple touchscreen interactions, allowing users to configure HVAC controls without directly accessing the complex control board interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical access to control boards (physical buttons, switches, and LED interpretation) with wireless electronic communication. The mobile device's touchscreen and wireless interface substitute for direct manual manipulation of the control board, simplifying the user interaction model.
2Productivity
If manual configuration in confined spaces is performed, then configuration can be completed, but it increases installation time and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The control board performs self-configuration by receiving configuration data wirelessly from the mobile device. This eliminates the need for manual intervention in confined spaces, allowing configuration to be completed quickly and accurately without the time loss associated with manual access and interpretation of fault codes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If replacement controls with numerous options are used, then functionality can be enhanced, but replacing controls becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device application prepares the configuration data in advance before transferring it to the replacement control board. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary configuration parameters are ready and correctly formatted, making the replacement process straightforward even when numerous control options are available.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless configuration interface provides a universal method for configuring different types of control boards regardless of their specific models or options. The mobile device application can handle multiple control types through a single unified interface, making replacement easier despite the availability of numerous control options.
Data Source
AI summary
An example HVAC system includes an HVAC component, and an HVAC control configured to control the HVAC component according to an HVAC system configuration parameter. The HVAC control includes a controller wireless interface and a memory. The system also includes a mobile device having a user interface and a mobile wireless interface in wireless communication with the controller wireless interface of the HVAC control. The mobile device is configured to display the HVAC system configuration parameter on the user interface, receive user input settings for the HVAC system configuration parameter, and wirelessly transmit the received user input settings to the controller wireless interface of the HVAC control. The HVAC control is configured to store the received user input settings in the memory of the HVAC control to control the HVAC component. Example methods of controlling an HVAC system are also disclosed.