Orientation-based HVAC control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC devices face challenges in accurately monitoring temperature due to the limitations of bi-metallic switches, which fail to account for device orientation, leading to inefficient testing processes and potential performance issues such as premature switch trips and temperature exceedance.
Innovation Solution
A control system that combines a temperature sensor and an orientation sensor, such as a gyroscope or accelerometer, to determine the operating thermal control set point based on the device's orientation, allowing for precise temperature monitoring and adjustment of HVAC device operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If bi-metallic switches are used for temperature monitoring, then cost effectiveness is improved, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to inability to account for device orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a bi-metallic switch with an orientation sensor (accelerometer or gyroscope) into an integrated temperature monitoring system. The orientation sensor detects the device's angular position, and the control circuitry uses this information to select appropriate temperature thresholds from multiple stored values, allowing the bi-metallic switch to accurately monitor temperature across all device orientations while maintaining cost effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system stores multiple temperature threshold values corresponding to different device orientations (e.g., horizontal, vertical, angled positions). The control circuitry dynamically selects the appropriate threshold based on orientation sensor data, enabling the bi-metallic switch to maintain measurement precision across varying orientations without requiring multiple physical switches.
2Reliability
If extensive testing is conducted to identify appropriate bi-metallic switches for all orientations, then reliability is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores multiple temperature threshold values in memory during manufacturing, corresponding to different device orientations. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for extensive field testing to determine appropriate switch settings, as the control circuitry can immediately select the correct threshold based on orientation sensor data, significantly reducing commissioning time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation-based temperature monitoring system automatically adjusts the temperature threshold based on detected device orientation without requiring manual configuration or extensive testing. The control circuitry autonomously selects appropriate thresholds from stored values using orientation sensor input, enabling the system to self-adapt to any installation position and eliminating time-consuming testing procedures.
3Device complexity
If a single bi-metallic switch location is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when device orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an orientation sensor and control circuitry as intermediaries between the single bi-metallic switch and the temperature control system. The orientation sensor detects device position, and the control circuitry uses this information to dynamically adjust the temperature threshold, allowing a single switch location to effectively adapt to multiple orientations without increasing physical device complexity.
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
This solution enables more efficient design, manufacturing, and commissioning processes while improving HVAC device performance by accurately accounting for orientation and preventing temperature exceedance, thus enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an orientation sensor, such as an accelerometer or a gyroscope
Implementation Method 2
an orientation sensor, such as an accelerometer or a gyroscope
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor configured to provide a signal indicative of a temperature associated with the HVAC device
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a control system for controlling an HVAC device where the control system includes a temperature sensor that provides a signal indicative of a temperature associated with the HVAC device, an orientation sensor that provides a signal indicative of an operating orientation of the HVAC device, and control circuitry that receives the temperature signal and the orientation signal from the orientation sensor. The control circuitry selects an operating thermal control set point from a plurality of stored thermal control set points based at least in part on an orientation signal, determines a temperature sensor input based on the temperature signal and compares the temperature sensor input to the operating thermal control set point, and operates the HVAC device based at least in part on that comparison.