HVAC Room Unit PCB Segmentation for Accurate Temperature Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC room units face issues with temperature sensors being inaccurately influenced by heat generated from microprocessors, leading to unreliable ambient temperature measurements and slow response times due to thermal isolation attempts.
Innovation Solution
The room unit design features a temperature sensor on a second printed circuit board protruding from a first board, thermally decoupled and in contact with the housing, using a heat conductive coating for efficient thermal coupling, allowing fast response times and accurate temperature measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is thermally isolated from electronic components, then measurement precision is improved, but response time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The printed circuit board is divided into two separate boards: the first PCB contains heat-generating electronic components, while the second PCB contains the temperature sensor. This segmentation physically separates the sensor from thermal interference, improving measurement accuracy while the protruding design of the second PCB ensures it extends beyond the first PCB to contact the housing, maintaining fast thermal response to ambient temperature changes.
2Device complexity
If the temperature sensor is placed on the same PCB as the controller, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses two separate printed circuit boards instead of one integrated PCB. The first PCB houses the controller and other electronic components, while the second PCB is dedicated to the temperature sensor. This segmentation eliminates thermal interference from the controller to the sensor, significantly improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
3Measurement precision
If thermal isolation measures are implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex thermal isolation structures like heat shields or insulating materials, the patent simply separates the temperature sensor onto a different PCB that protrudes from the main board. This elegant segmentation approach achieves effective thermal isolation while avoiding the complexity of additional isolation components and assembly steps.
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 setup ensures accurate ambient temperature measurement independent of heat from the controller, with fast response times and efficient thermal coupling, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
the backside of the second printed circuit board in physical contact with an inner surface of the housing
Implementation Method 2
the temperature sensor is thermally decoupled from the heat generating elements, e.g. microprocessors or other electronic components
Data Source
AI summary
A room unit for an HVAC system is disclosed. The system includes a housing for installing the room unit on a wall of a building; a connection means to connect the device to the HVAC system; a controller being arranged on a first printed circuit board; and at least one temperature sensor to measure the temperature of ambient air, whereby the at least one temperature sensor is arranged on a frontside of a second printed circuit board. In addition, the second printed circuit board protrudes from the first printed circuit board, especially in a direction perpendicular to the first printed circuit board. Still further, the second printed circuit board is arranged such that a backside of the second printed circuit board is in physical contact with an inner surface of the housing.