HVAC Control Wireless Configuration Using NFC and Mobile Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC control systems are complex and difficult to configure, requiring physical access and manual settings, which can be challenging in confined or uncomfortable spaces, and often necessitate understanding the settings of an old control to configure a replacement, leading to errors and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An HVAC system incorporating a controller with a near-field communication (NFC) interface and a mobile device that allows wireless configuration of HVAC controls, enabling users to access and configure settings without physical proximity, using a mobile device to display options, receive input, and transmit settings to the controller, with the NFC processor storing settings for operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional manual configuration methods (dipswitches, push buttons, LEDs) are used, then the control board can be configured, but the configuration process becomes difficult and error-prone in dark and confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical configuration interfaces (dipswitches, push buttons, LEDs) with a wireless digital interface. A mobile device communicates with the HVAC control via wireless communication, allowing configuration parameters to be transmitted electronically without physical manipulation of mechanical components. This substitution eliminates the need for physical access to the control board and replaces complex mechanical interfaces with a simplified digital interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the HVAC control system. The mobile device serves as a mediator that receives configuration input from the user and transmits it wirelessly to the HVAC control, eliminating the need for direct physical interaction with the control board's configuration interface. This intermediary approach simplifies the user interaction while maintaining configuration capability.
2Ease of operation
If control board configuration requires physical access and power, then settings can be changed, but installation becomes difficult in confined or uncomfortable locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables configuration parameters to be prepared and transmitted using a mobile device before the control board is physically installed in the HVAC system. The control board can be configured in advance in a comfortable location, and then simply installed in the confined or difficult-to-access location without requiring subsequent configuration work. This preliminary action eliminates the need for technician presence during installation and reduces overall installation time.
3Productivity
If replacement controls require manual copying of settings from old controls, then customization is possible, but errors increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic copying function where the mobile device can retrieve configuration parameters from the existing HVAC control and automatically transfer them to the replacement control board. This digital copying process eliminates manual transcription of settings, thereby reducing human error and improving configuration accuracy. The system automatically identifies and transfers relevant configuration data, ensuring reliability while improving efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC system includes a motor having a plurality of speeds at which it can operate, an HVAC control, and a mobile device. The HVAC control is configured to control the motor during a plurality of different operations, and includes a controller processor, a controller memory, and controller near field communication (NFC) wireless interface including an NFC processor, an NFC memory, and an antenna. The mobile device includes a user interface and a mobile NFC wireless interface configured. The mobile device is configured to display the plurality of different operations on the user interface, receive user input settings of speeds of the motor for each of the plurality of different operations, and wirelessly transmit the received user input settings to the controller NFC wireless interface of the HVAC control. The NFC processor is configured to store the received user input settings in the NFC memory.