HVAC system with wireless waveguide system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional HVAC systems require numerous perforations in building envelopes for cable installation, leading to issues like water and pest infiltration and increased operational costs, while also facing challenges in efficient wireless communication between sensors and controllers.

Innovation Solution

A wireless waveguide system is integrated into the HVAC ductwork, utilizing sensors and repeaters to transmit signals indicative of environmental conditions along the airflow path to the HVAC unit controller, reducing the need for physical cables and minimizing envelope perforations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional cable installation methods are used in HVAC systems, then reliable communication between sensors and controllers is achieved, but numerous perforations in building envelopes are required leading to water and pest infiltration risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidwater and pest infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical cable installation through building envelopes with a wireless communication system that uses electromagnetic waves transmitted through HVAC ductwork. This substitution eliminates the need for physical perforations in building envelopes, thereby preventing water and pest infiltration while maintaining communication reliability between sensors and controllers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces HVAC ductwork as an intermediary medium for signal transmission. Instead of penetrating building envelopes directly, communication signals are transmitted through the existing ductwork structure that already provides a pathway for air flow. This intermediary approach allows reliable communication without creating additional openings in the building envelope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If additional perforations are formed in building envelopes for cable installation, then HVAC system setup is enabled, but costs of setting up and operating the HVAC system increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHVAC system setupVSAvoidoperational costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces costly cable installation procedures with wireless communication technology. By eliminating the need to drill perforations, install cables, and seal openings, the system reduces both initial setup costs and ongoing operational expenses associated with maintaining penetrations in building envelopes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent leverages the existing HVAC ductwork infrastructure for dual purposes: air flow distribution and wireless signal transmission. This multi-functional use of existing infrastructure eliminates the need for separate communication installation, thereby reducing overall system setup costs and operational expenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If wireless communication is implemented in ductwork, then envelope perforations are reduced, but signal strength may diminish along communication path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvelope perforationsVSAvoidsignal strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the communication path into segments by strategically placing repeater devices at intervals along the ductwork. Each repeater receives, amplifies, and retransmits signals, ensuring that signal strength is maintained throughout the entire communication path despite the length and potential obstructions within the ductwork system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances communication efficiency between HVAC sensors and controllers within the ductwork, reducing the number of building envelope perforations and associated costs, while maintaining effective climate control.

Implementation Method 1

A wireless waveguide system includes a sensor that detects an environmental condition and directs a signal indicative of the environmental condition along an interior of a ductwork

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Waveguide

Data Source

PatentUS11913656B2HVAC system with wireless waveguide system

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HLDG LLP

AI summary

A wireless waveguide system for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The wireless waveguide system includes a sensor that detects an environmental condition and directs a signal indicative of the environmental condition along an interior of a ductwork. A signal sensor detects a strength of the signal within the interior of the ductwork. A repeater that operates based on the strength of the signal detected by the signal sensor and repeats the signal along a communication path at least partially within the interior of the ductwork to a controller of an HVAC unit.