HVAC Controller Backup Data Acquisition for OAT Sensor Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems shut down when an outside air temperature (OAT) sensor fails, causing customer discomfort and requiring days for a technician to replace the sensor, with current backup solutions like thermistors being inaccurate.
Innovation Solution
An HVAC system controller that transmits geographical data to a server to request and obtain proximate environmental data, such as outside air temperature and humidity, from nearby thermostats or cloud-based weather applications, allowing the system to operate based on this data even when the OAT sensor is malfunctioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the HVAC system uses a dedicated OAT sensor to obtain accurate outside air temperature data, then the measurement precision is improved, but the system reliability deteriorates when the sensor fails requiring shutdown and technician intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary data sources (proximate thermostats and server-based weather applications) that mediate the acquisition of outside air temperature data when the primary OAT sensor fails. These intermediaries provide alternative pathways for obtaining environmental data, allowing the HVAC system to continue operation without requiring technician intervention for sensor replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the data source parameter for outside air temperature acquisition. Instead of relying solely on the physical OAT sensor, the controller can switch to using data from proximate thermostats or cloud-based weather applications, changing the source parameter from local sensor to remote data source based on sensor operational status.
2Reliability
If the HVAC system shuts down when the OAT sensor fails, then the system maintains operational integrity, but the productivity deteriorates due to extended downtime and customer discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by establishing backup data acquisition mechanisms (proximate thermostat data and server-based weather data) in advance of sensor failure. When the OAT sensor fails, these pre-established alternative pathways immediately activate, cushioning against the impact of sensor failure and preventing system shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that outside air temperature data acquisition continues uninterrupted through alternative sources. The controller seamlessly transitions from the primary OAT sensor to backup data sources, maintaining continuous operation of the HVAC system without shutdown or interruption of service.
3Reliability
If the HVAC system uses current backup solutions like thermistors when the OAT sensor fails, then the system can continue operation, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate temperature data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by obtaining outside air temperature data from proximate thermostats that are located near the HVAC system. Instead of using an inaccurate internal thermistor backup, the system copies temperature data from a nearby thermostat's OAT sensor, providing accurate external temperature measurements without requiring the primary sensor to be functional.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements universality by utilizing multiple data sources for outside air temperature acquisition. The same data acquisition framework can use the primary OAT sensor, proximate thermostat data, or server-based weather application data interchangeably, making the system multi-functional in terms of data sources and eliminating reliance on inaccurate thermistor backups.
4Reliability
If the HVAC system implements a backup data acquisition mechanism using proximate thermostats and servers, then the reliability is improved by preventing shutdown, but the device complexity increases due to additional communication protocols and data sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the HVAC controller autonomously manage the selection and switching between different data sources for outside air temperature acquisition. The controller automatically detects OAT sensor failure and independently switches to alternative data sources (proximate thermostats or server data) without requiring external intervention or complex manual configuration, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for obtaining environmental data for an HVAC system are provided. Aspects include a housing, a transceiver, at least one environmental sensor, and a controller coupled to a memory, the controller configured determine a state of the at least one environmental sensor. And based at least in part on the state of the at least one environmental sensor being a failure state, obtain proximate environmental data.