Wireless Thermostat Cloud Channel for Low-Power HVAC Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermostats face challenges in providing advanced functionalities like powerful microprocessors and wireless communications without requiring a 'common' wire or line power, while also ensuring easy installation and battery life, especially in homes without a direct wire from the system transformer.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable battery-powered thermostat with a battery charging circuit that harvests power from the HVAC system, allowing it to operate in both low-power and high-power states, and maintains network connectivity through a wireless communication module, enabling efficient data transfer and control without relying on a 'common' wire.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If power stealing method is used to power the thermostat without a common wire, then installation complexity is reduced, but the thermostat cannot support advanced functionalities requiring higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat dynamically switches between low-power and high-power states based on operational needs. The system uses a rechargeable battery that accumulates energy during low-power periods and discharges during high-power operations, enabling advanced functionalities while maintaining compatibility with power-stealing installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its power consumption parameters by operating in different power states. During normal operation, it consumes minimal power to charge the battery. When advanced features are needed, it transitions to high-power mode using stored battery energy, thus adapting power consumption to match both installation constraints and functional requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If disposable batteries are used to power the thermostat, then no common wire is needed, but maintenance requirements increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat serves itself by automatically recharging its own battery through power stealing during low-power periods. The system monitors battery charge levels and manages power consumption to maintain adequate charge, eliminating the need for user intervention to replace batteries while ensuring continuous operation and high reliability.
3Loss of time
If the thermostat maintains continuous network connectivity, then data transfer timeliness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat uses periodic long-polling requests to maintain network connectivity. Instead of continuous communication, the system periodically checks for updates and receives data pushes from the server. This periodic action maintains timely data transfer while allowing the system to return to low-power states between communication cycles, significantly reducing overall power consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a thermostat with advanced processing capabilities and wireless connectivity, extending battery life and enabling timely data transfer for effective HVAC system control, while avoiding the need for a 'common' wire and reducing installation costs.
Implementation Method 1
a battery charging circuit configured to charge the rechargeable battery by harvesting power from the HVAC system
Data Source
AI summary
Provided according to one or more embodiments herein are methods, systems and related architectures for facilitating network communications between a wireless network-connected thermostat and a cloud-based management server in a manner that promotes reduced power usage and extended service life of a rechargeable battery of the thermostat, while at the same time accomplishing timely data transfer between the thermostat and the cloud-based management server for suitable and time-appropriate control of an HVAC system. The thermostat further comprises powering circuitry configured to: extract electrical power from one or more HVAC control wires in a manner that does not require a “common” wire; supply electrical power for thermostat operation; recharge the rechargeable battery (if needed) using any surplus extracted power; and discharge the rechargeable battery to assist in supplying electrical power for thermostat operation during intervals in which the extracted power alone is insufficient for thermostat operation.