HVAC Controller Device Scheduling Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems lack advanced scheduling and control capabilities to efficiently manage both HVAC equipment and remote electrical devices, leading to suboptimal energy usage and lack of integration with home automation networks.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a processor, memory, and RF module that creates and manages scheduling programs for HVAC equipment and electrical devices, allowing for linked or unlinked schedules, and integrates with home automation networks to regulate operation based on user-defined periods and set points, enabling efficient energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If HVAC systems use basic scheduling without device integration, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy efficiency is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines HVAC control with electrical device scheduling into a single integrated system. The controller manages both HVAC equipment and remote electrical devices through unified scheduling programs, allowing coordinated operation that optimizes overall energy consumption while maintaining manageable system complexity through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle diverse scheduling needs. It can create and manage different types of scheduling programs (linked and unlinked schedules) for various devices, providing universal energy management capabilities across different device types and user requirements without requiring separate control systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If HVAC systems integrate with home automation networks to control multiple devices, then energy management capability is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments scheduling control into two distinct modes: linked schedules that coordinate device operation with HVAC cycles, and unlinked schedules that operate independently. This segmentation allows users to choose the appropriate level of integration for different devices, enhancing adaptability while managing complexity through modular scheduling approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves as an intermediary between the home automation network and various electrical devices. It translates user scheduling requirements into coordinated control signals, managing network communications and device operations centrally. This intermediary role simplifies integration complexity by providing a single point of control rather than requiring direct connections between all devices.
3Loss of energy
If the system uses linked schedules to synchronize device operation with HVAC usage periods, then energy efficiency is optimized, but user control flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic scheduling where devices can operate in linked mode during HVAC usage periods and switch to unlinked mode for independent control. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize energy efficiency when coordination is beneficial while preserving user flexibility when independent device control is needed, adapting to different operational requirements in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller is provided for HVAC equipment. The controller has a processor, memory, and a RF module for a home automation network, and is operable to regulate operation of the HVAC equipment based upon a scheduling program stored in memory. The scheduling program includes at least one usage periods and at least one set point associated with each usage period. The controller is also operable to regulate operation of remote electrical devices over the home automation network; and to create a device scheduling program for the remote electrical devices, the device scheduling program including at least one device period and an operational state associated with each device period.