User-relocatable self-learning environmental control device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boiler-based heating systems in European countries face inefficiencies due to the bifurcation of control functions between programmers and thermostats, leading to wasted energy when daily schedules change, and require high-voltage wiring connections that pose installation challenges and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent thermostat system that integrates advanced scheduling algorithms and occupancy detection, communicating with both the boiler and existing programmer units via a modular design with wireless and wired connections, allowing for independent control of heating and hot water functions without altering the programmer settings, and using a base unit to manage power and communication with lower voltage signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional two-wire thermostat connection is used, then installation is simple and no electrical power is required at the thermostat, but high-voltage wiring is required which poses safety hazards and installation challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical two-wire high-voltage connection system with a low-voltage wireless communication system. The thermostat communicates with the HVAC system using low-voltage signals through wireless protocols or low-voltage wired connections, eliminating the need for high-voltage wiring at the thermostat location while maintaining communication functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a low-voltage signaling system as an intermediary between the thermostat and the HVAC system. This intermediary uses transformer-coupled low-voltage signals or wireless communication protocols to transfer control information without requiring direct high-voltage electrical connections at the thermostat, thereby reducing safety hazards while maintaining system integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If programmer and thermostat control functions are separated, then each component can be optimized independently, but energy is wasted when daily schedules change requiring manual reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the scheduling control functions into the thermostat unit, eliminating the separate programmer device. The integrated thermostat contains both temperature control and programmable scheduling capabilities in a single device, allowing automatic adaptation to schedule changes without manual reconfiguration of separate components, thereby reducing energy waste while maintaining independent control optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through automatic schedule detection and adaptation. The thermostat automatically detects changes in occupancy patterns and environmental conditions, and autonomously adjusts heating schedules without requiring manual user intervention or reconfiguration, thereby eliminating energy waste from manual reconfiguration while maintaining adaptable control.
3Productivity
If advanced scheduling algorithms and occupancy detection are integrated, then fine-grained temperature control and energy efficiency are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by integrating occupancy detection sensors, scheduling algorithms, temperature control, and communication capabilities into a single thermostat unit. This universal device performs multiple functions (environmental sensing, user interface, wireless communication, automated scheduling, and temperature regulation) that would traditionally require separate components, thereby achieving high energy efficiency while managing complexity through functional integration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A thermostat device may include a processing system configured to learn a heating schedule at a first location according to an automated schedule learning algorithm that processes inputs including user inputs and occupancy sensing inputs and derives schedule-affecting parameters therefrom that are processed to compute the heating schedule. The processing system may also be configured to determine whether the thermostat has been moved to a new location, and if it is determined that the thermostat has been moved to the new location, then determine one or more parameters associated with the new location and establish a new heating schedule for the new location, and where zero or more of the previously measured schedule-affecting parameters are re-used based on the one or more parameters associated with the new location.