HVAC Remote Controller with Wireless Setup for Zoned Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC controllers often fail to accurately represent environmental conditions felt by occupants, as sensors are typically mounted near walls, and users must physically interact with each controller in zoned systems for setup and control, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
An HVAC remote control unit that wirelessly communicates with HVAC controllers and devices, allowing users to set up and control HVAC systems from various locations, featuring a user interface for setting parameters and displaying environmental data, with the ability to detect and switch between zoned and non-zoned systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted near walls or at fixed locations within the building, then the HVAC controller can sense environmental conditions at those locations, but the sensed conditions do not accurately represent the actual environmental conditions felt by the occupants away from the walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed mechanical sensor mounting with wireless portable sensing devices that can be carried by occupants. The handheld controller with temperature sensor allows measurement of environmental conditions at the actual location where occupants experience them, eliminating the need for fixed wall-mounted sensors to accurately represent occupant-felt conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication system as an intermediary between the portable controller and the HVAC controller. The handheld device wirelessly transmits environmental data and control commands to the HVAC controller, enabling remote operation without physical interaction with wall-mounted controllers
2Ease of operation
If the user interface is mounted on wall controllers in zoned systems, then each controller can be operated locally, but the user must physically walk over and interact with each HVAC controller where changes are desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless communication system as an intermediary that enables remote control of HVAC systems. The handheld controller wirelessly communicates with wall-mounted HVAC controllers, allowing users to control multiple zones from a single portable device without physically visiting each location
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical requirement of physical presence at each controller location with wireless electronic communication. The portable controller substitutes for direct interaction with wall-mounted interfaces, transmitting commands and receiving feedback through wireless signals
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wall-mounted controllers are used in zoned systems, then each zone can be controlled independently, but the system complexity increases and users must interact with multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the handheld controller universal by enabling it to communicate with multiple different HVAC controllers across different zones. A single portable device can control multiple wall-mounted controllers, eliminating the need for users to manage multiple separate control interfaces while maintaining zoned control capability
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC remote controller for use in an HVAC system is described. In some instances, the HVAC remote controller may include a wirelessly interface for communicating with one or more HVAC controllers and/or other HVAC devices. The HVAC remote controller may be configured to execute a user setup routine for entering user setup information, where the user setup routine may cause the HVAC remote controller to display a sequence of two or more user setup screens, sometimes at a common menu level rather than a sub-menu. Some or all of the two or more user setup screens may include, for example, a message center indicating a parameter or function to be set, one or more buttons for adjusting or selecting the parameter or function, and a next button to advance the user setup routine to a next screen in the sequence of user setup screens.