HVAC Controller Light Guide for Rear Surface Status Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC systems lack advanced control mechanisms and user interfaces that integrate remote access, energy management, and intuitive operation, leading to inefficiencies in comfort management and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The development of an HVAC controller with a user-friendly interface, including a light guide for projection onto a vertical surface, touch-sensitive elements, and remote connectivity, allowing for centralized control and energy management through a networked system that adapts to user preferences and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is mounted on the printed circuit board to provide visual feedback, then the controller can indicate operational status, but the light source may be obscured or difficult to see from certain angles
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide element is introduced as an intermediary between the light source and the user. The light guide receives light from the LED mounted on the printed circuit board and redirects it toward the user interface, making the operational status visible from multiple angles and improving the effectiveness of the visual feedback without requiring the light source itself to be repositioned.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the HVAC controller includes multiple features such as remote access, energy management, and user interface elements, then functionality is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide element serves multiple functions: it redirects light from the operational status LED, provides structural support as part of the user interface assembly, and enhances the visibility of various control elements. By making this component multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for additional separate parts, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining enhanced functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If the light source is positioned close to the printed circuit board for compact design, then space is saved, but the light output may be insufficient or directed incorrectly
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide element changes the dimensionality of light propagation by taking light that would normally travel in a limited direction from the LED and redistributing it across a broader angular range. This allows the light source to remain close to the printed circuit board for compact design while still providing adequate illumination and visibility in the desired directions through optical redirection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user experience with intuitive control, improves energy efficiency by optimizing heating and cooling based on user presence and weather data, and provides remote access for seamless management of HVAC systems.
Implementation Method 1
light from the light source enters the light guide and propagates along the light guide
Implementation Method 2
light from the light source enters the light guide and propagates along the light guide
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC controller may include a housing that is mountable on a vertical surface and a printed circuit board that is disposed within the housing. The printed circuit board may include a light source operably secured to the printed circuit board. A light guide may be secured relative to the printed circuit board such that light from the light source enters the light guide and propagates along the light guide. The light guide includes a light input pocket configured to receive light from the light source, a bifurcated inlet section optically coupled to the light input pocket, a light guide body extending from the bifurcated inlet section, and an output surface extending along a rear facing surface of the light guide body such that light exiting the output surface is projected onto the vertical surface to which the housing is mountable.