System and method for wiring-relay configuration in digital thermostats
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of a consistent naming convention for control wires in HVAC systems makes installing digital thermostats cumbersome and confusing, as they often require pre-assigned relay assignments that cannot be easily reconfigured or expanded to accommodate different HVAC systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of 'Soft/Programmable Relays' marked with generic labels (R1, R2, etc.) that can be configured using a smartphone or laptop app, allowing installers to select from generic system configurations based on HVAC vendor and model, and storing the configuration in a non-volatile memory for directing control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pre-assigned relay assignments are used in digital thermostats, then the thermostat can be manufactured with fixed functionality, but it cannot be easily reconfigured or expanded to accommodate different HVAC systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements programmable relays that can be dynamically reconfigured through software rather than being fixed at manufacturing. The relay assignments are stored in memory and can be modified via user interface, allowing the thermostat to adapt to different HVAC system configurations (2-wire, 3-wire, 4-wire, 5-wire systems) without physical changes to the hardware architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of relay assignments from fixed physical parameters to programmable software parameters. By storing relay configurations in non-volatile memory and allowing modification through user input, the system enables parameter changes without hardware reconfiguration, thus improving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized interfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple relay naming conventions are supported, then the thermostat can work with various HVAC systems, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and confusing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal relay configuration system that can handle multiple naming conventions (C, RX, O, B, RH, W, Y, G, A, L, T, E, Aux) through a single programmable platform. The thermostat universally supports different HVAC system types by allowing users to select and configure appropriate relay assignments, eliminating the need for different hardware models for different conventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables installers to self-configure the thermostat for their specific HVAC system by selecting the appropriate relay naming convention from a list of supported options. The system provides the tools and interface needed for users to independently configure the relay assignments without requiring manufacturer assistance or complex wiring diagrams, thereby improving ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If generic relay labels (R1, R2, etc.) are used instead of pre-assigned lettering, then configuration flexibility is improved, but installers may face difficulty mapping relays to specific wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a software configuration interface as an intermediary between the generic relay labels (R1, R2, etc.) and the specific wire connections. This intermediary layer allows installers to map generic relay identifiers to specific wire names (C, RX, O, B, etc.) through a user-friendly selection process, eliminating the direct mapping difficulty while preserving configuration flexibility. The interface acts as a translation layer between the two naming systems.
Data Source
AI summary
In a thermostat having a plurality of demand circuits and a thermostat controller, a method of controlling devices connected to the demand circuits. One or more demand circuits in a thermostat are connected to devices in an HVAC system. The thermostat is configured to associate each connected demand circuit with the device to which it is connected and control signals are routed from the thermostat controller to the one or more demand circuits to control devices associated with the demand circuits.