Low-power HVAC remote controller and method of operating the same
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC remote controllers face power consumption issues due to display units and display lights, which drain the limited battery power, necessitating a solution to extend battery life while maintaining functionality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a low-power pixelated display and a light that remains off except when actively controlling the HVAC system, using a processor to manage operations and conserve power by only illuminating the display when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a display unit with integrated light is used to improve visibility and user interaction, then the user can clearly see and interact with the display, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The display light operates periodically rather than continuously - it activates only during specific events such as user interaction detection, data reception, or periodic updates, and remains off during static display states. This periodic operation pattern significantly reduces overall power consumption while maintaining display visibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts display light operation based on real-time conditions including user interaction detection via touch screen, reception of data from HVAC system, and periodic update requirements. The light transitions between active and inactive states based on these dynamic conditions, optimizing the balance between visibility and power consumption.
2Illumination intensity
If the display light remains on to ensure continuous visibility, then the user can always see the display information, but the battery life is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display light is activated only during specific periodic intervals when needed - such as during user interaction, data reception events, or scheduled updates - rather than remaining continuously on. This periodic activation pattern extends battery life by minimizing the total duration the high-power light is operational while ensuring display visibility is available when required.
3Loss of information
If the pixelated display continuously updates to show real-time information, then the user has access to current operational data, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display updates information periodically based on specific triggers such as receiving new data from the HVAC system, user interaction events, or scheduled update intervals, rather than continuously refreshing. This periodic update approach maintains information freshness when needed while significantly reducing the power consumption associated with continuous display refreshing.
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilation and air-conditioner (HVAC) remote controller for providing instructions for operation of an HVAC system, including a processor configured to control operation of the HVAC remote controller and to generate instructions for the operation of the HVAC system; a pixelated display configured to consume less power when the pixelated display is in a static state than when it is not in the static state; a local input device configured to accept data from an operator; a light configured to illuminate the pixelated display; an isolated power source configured to provide operational power to at least the processor, the pixelated display, and the light; wherein the controller is configured to keep the light turned off except when the processor is actively performing an operation to control the HVAC system.