Systems and Methods for Zoned Wireless Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioner (HVAC) Sensor Registration and Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual configuration of HVAC systems is time-consuming and prone to human error, requiring technicians to physically gather data and make configuration changes, which can be inefficient and suboptimal.
Innovation Solution
The use of portable devices equipped with sensors that can be placed within zones of an environment to collect data on HVAC components, allowing for automated configuration and dynamic adjustments based on changing conditions, and can reposition themselves for optimal data collection and system optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual configuration by technician is used, then system can be configured, but configuration process is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device automatically performs sensor registration and verification by autonomously navigating to HVAC components, capturing images, and matching them with sensor locations without requiring technician intervention for each step
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical processes (technician physically locating and noting component positions) with automated electronic processes (portable device using cameras, sensors, and image recognition to automatically register and verify sensor locations)
2Ease of operation
If technician visits location for configuration changes, then system can be adjusted, but frequent visits are time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device enables technicians to remotely register and verify sensors without physically visiting each location, allowing configuration changes to be performed remotely through the system interface
Solution Approach 2:
The portable device acts as an intermediary between the technician and the HVAC system components, capturing data locally and transmitting it to the HVAC controller, eliminating the need for direct technician presence at component locations
3Measurement precision
If manual sensor registration is used, then sensors can be identified, but human error leads to improper configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual visual identification and note-taking with automated image capture and processing, using cameras and image recognition algorithms to precisely identify and register sensor locations
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides verification feedback by capturing images of sensors, comparing them with registered sensor locations, and confirming proper identification, allowing immediate detection and correction of registration errors
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for for zoned wireless heating, ventilation, and air conditioner (HVAC) sensor registration and verification. An example method may include receiving, using one or more processors, first data from a first portable device, the first data indicative of a condition relating to operation of an HVAC unit within a first zone of an environment, wherein the first portable device is positioned within the first zone of the environment during initial configuration of the HVAC unit and independent of the HVAC unit that is also included within the environment. The example method may also include determining, using the one or more processors and based on the first data, a first configuration change for the HVAC unit. The example method may also include causing a component of the HVAC unit to perform the first configuration change.