Smart-home device telemetry circuits for detecting electrical anomalies in a population of devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incorrect wiring connections during HVAC system installation can lead to short circuits, causing permanent damage to thermostats and other components, and blown fuses are difficult to diagnose and remedy, while modern thermostats need to protect against voltage/current anomalies while enabling power stealing functionality.
Innovation Solution
A smart-home device with an energy-storage element, power wire connectors, and a solid-state relay (SSR) switching integrated circuit (IC) that includes switching elements and a digital control circuit to manage connections between power and return wires, monitor energy storage, and harvest energy while ensuring protection against voltage anomalies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fuses are used to protect against short circuits, then protection against voltage/current anomalies is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to difficulty in diagnosing and remediating blown fuses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fuses with solid-state circuit protection that uses electronic monitoring and control. The system continuously monitors current flow and automatically responds to anomalies through electronic circuitry rather than mechanical fuse elements, enabling easier diagnosis through digital indicators and simpler remediation without replacing physical fuse components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors electrical parameters and provides real-time information about system status. This feedback enables automatic detection of protection events and communicates system state to users or control systems, making diagnosis straightforward through visible indicators or digital communications rather than requiring physical inspection of blown fuses.
2Adaptability or versatility
If power stealing is enabled to charge energy storage elements, then adaptability improves, but reliability deteriorates due to potential interference with HVAC functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of power stealing operations, where the system continuously adjusts power extraction based on real-time monitoring of HVAC system state and energy storage element charge levels. The control circuitry dynamically modulates the power stealing process to ensure HVAC functions receive adequate power while still enabling energy harvesting, thus maintaining both adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous monitoring and control of power stealing operations to maintain uninterrupted HVAC functionality. The system continuously adjusts power extraction parameters and implements protective measures that prevent power stealing from interfering with essential HVAC operations, ensuring both power harvesting capability and reliable HVAC operation throughout system lifecycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart-home device may include a solid state relay (SSR) switching integrated circuit (IC). SSR switching IC may include switching elements configured to open and close a connection between a power wire and a return wire of an environmental system; a voltage sensor that measures a voltage across the one or more switching elements; a current sensor that measures a current through the one or more switching elements; and a temperature sensor that measures a temperature near the one or more switching elements. The smart-home device may also include a wireless communication device that periodically receives voltage, current, or temperature data originating from the SSR switching IC and transmits the voltage, current, or temperature data to a device management server. The device management server may receive batches of voltage, current, or temperature data from a plurality of smart-home devices.