User interface for a thermostat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user interfaces for thermostatic radiator valves are difficult for lay users to operate effectively, as they are often located in hard-to-read positions and lack intuitive mechanisms for adjusting set point temperatures efficiently, leading to ineffective or inefficient temperature adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A user interface with a movable user input member that can be rotated to increase or decrease the set point temperature, featuring a return mechanism to reset to a home position, an indicator panel for visual feedback on adjustments, and a lockout controller to prevent unnecessary adjustments when the environmental temperature is close to the set point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional thermostat user interface is positioned near the floor and/or wall for installation convenience, then installation ease is improved, but readability and user interaction effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless communication capability to the thermostat, enabling users to interact with and control the thermostat remotely via mobile devices. This transitions the user interface from a purely local physical interface to a distributed interface that operates across multiple spatial dimensions, solving the contradiction by maintaining the thermostat's fixed installation position while enabling flexible remote user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the thermostat. This intermediary provides a enhanced user interface with better readability and control capabilities, allowing users to effectively interact with the thermostat without needing to physically access its location near the floor or wall.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a programmable thermostat with rotation ring is used to allow schedule alteration, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation ring interface with a wireless digital communication interface. The programmable schedule functionality is maintained through software-based controls accessible via mobile devices, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components while preserving the adaptability for schedule alteration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the thermostat's control interface on the user's mobile device. This digital replica provides all the programmable functionality including schedule alteration, without requiring the physical thermostat to have complex mechanical interfaces.
3Ease of operation
If the user interface allows free set point temperature adjustment, then user control flexibility is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a lockout mechanism that uses temperature differential feedback to control user input capability. When the difference between set point and actual temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system automatically locks out further user adjustments, preventing unnecessary energy-consuming changes while maintaining full control flexibility when the system needs user input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively preventing potentially harmful user inputs before they can occur. The lockout mechanism anticipates unnecessary adjustments by monitoring temperature conditions and blocking user input when adjustments would be counterproductive to energy efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A user interface for a thermostat that controls a radiator valve can include a user input member that is movable from a home position to a set point increase or decrease position to increase or decrease a set point temperature of the thermostat. In some embodiments, a return mechanism returns the user input member to the home position after being released from one of the set point increase and decrease positions. In some embodiments, the user interface can include an indicator panel and controller that controls the indicator panel to provide an indication of when the set point temperature of the thermostat is being adjusted. In some embodiments, the user interface can also include a lockout controller that prevents further set point temperature adjustments using the user interface when the set point temperature differs from the environmental temperature by a specified amount.