HVAC controller with fixed segment display having fixed segment icons and animation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices, such as HVAC control panels, face challenges in ease of use, assembly, construction, and reliability, which are not adequately addressed by current technologies.
Innovation Solution
The development of an HVAC controller with a display featuring a dot matrix format and predefined graphical icons, allowing for programmable options and menu navigation, along with a modular design that includes a hinge mechanism for easy assembly and a battery compartment with leakage collection, enhancing user interaction and device reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional display interface is used in HVAC controllers, then the device structure is simple, but the ease of operation and user interaction is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into two distinct regions: a first region with a dot matrix format for displaying programmable options and menu items, and a second region with predefined fixed segment graphical icons for visual feedback. This segmentation allows each region to serve its specific function optimally, improving user interaction without overwhelming the device structure with a completely new display type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two different display technologies (dot matrix display and fixed segment display) into a single unified display interface. The dot matrix region provides flexible text and option display, while the fixed segment region provides clear visual indicators, creating a hybrid display system that leverages the strengths of both approaches to enhance ease of operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a modular design with hinge mechanism is implemented, then the ease of manufacture and assembly is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The HVAC controller is divided into modular components including a housing, display assembly, and battery compartment that can be assembled separately and then connected through hinge mechanisms. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured and tested independently, significantly improving ease of manufacture and assembly despite adding some structural complexity.
3Reliability
If a battery compartment with leakage collection is added, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery compartment includes a leakage collection tray or reservoir designed to capture and contain battery acid or electrolyte leakage before it can damage other components. This beforehand cushioning approach prevents potential harm from battery failure, improving reliability by addressing a failure mode in advance, while adding only a simple containment structure rather than complex safety systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC controller including a controller and a display operatively coupled to the controller. The display may include a first region and a second region. The first region of the display may have an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns for displaying an image in a dot matrix format. The second region of the display may have a plurality of predefined fixed segment graphical icons. The controller may be configured to display one or more programmable options of the HVAC controller in the first region of the display for selection by a user, where the programmable options may be used to set settings that are capable of controlling subsequent operations and/or functionality of the HVAC controller. The controller may be configured to selectively animate one or more of the programmable options displayed in the first region.