Thermostat Sensor Grille Layout for Hidden Occupancy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermostats face a challenge in balancing the need for advanced HVAC control capabilities with energy efficiency while maintaining a compact and visually appealing form factor, as they require multiple sensors to gather occupancy and environmental data without compromising aesthetics or sensor accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A thermostat design incorporating a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor and temperature sensor concealed behind a thermally conductive grille member, which allows for effective detection of occupancy and temperature while maintaining a sleek appearance, with the grille member enhancing temperature sensing performance by acting as a 'thermal antenna'.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are integrated into the thermostat to gather occupancy and environmental data, then the HVAC control capability and energy efficiency are improved, but the visual appearance and form factor are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds sensors within recessed cavities and behind grilles in the thermostat housing, nesting them within the existing structure rather than adding external components. This allows multiple sensors to be integrated while maintaining a clean, compact visual appearance consistent with conventional thermostat designs.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are exposed on the thermostat surface, then sensing functionality is enhanced, but the thermostat becomes visually less appealing and sensors are more susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are positioned within recessed cavities and behind protective grilles, nesting them within the housing structure. This protects sensors from physical damage while maintaining their sensing capabilities through strategically positioned openings that allow environmental data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The grille structure acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the environment, allowing thermal and infrared energy to pass through to the sensors while providing physical protection. The grille mediates between the need for sensor exposure and the need for protection and aesthetic appearance.
3Shape
If a grille member is placed over the sensor, then visual appeal and protection are improved, but sensor accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The grille is designed with specific opening patterns and geometries optimized for different sensor types. Thermal sensors have openings configured to maximize air flow and thermal contact, while infrared sensors have openings that allow infrared transmission. Each local area of the grille has properties tailored to the specific sensor requirements beneath it.
Solution Approach 2:
The grille serves as a mediator that can be designed with appropriate material properties and opening configurations to allow specific types of energy transmission (thermal, infrared) while providing protection and aesthetic appearance. The grille mediates between appearance and sensing accuracy through its structural design.
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 enables accurate data collection for HVAC control while preserving a visually pleasing and durable thermostat design, reducing the likelihood of sensor damage and ensuring energy efficiency by judiciously controlling heating and cooling based on real-time and historic data.
Implementation Method 1
a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor disposed inside the housing for sensing occupancy in the vicinity of the thermostat. The PIR motion sensor has a radiation receiving surface and is able to detect the lateral movement of an occupant
Implementation Method 2
the grille member formed from a thermally conductive material such as a metal, and the temperature sensor is placed in thermal communication with the metallic grille, such as by using a thermal paste or the like. Advantageously, in addition to exposing the temperature sensor to ambient room air by virtue of the grille openings, the metallic grille member can further improve temperature sensing performance by acting as a sort of 'thermal antenna' for the temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Provided according to one or more embodiments is a thermostat having a housing, the housing including a forward-facing surface, the thermostat comprising a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor disposed inside the housing for sensing occupancy in the vicinity of the thermostat. The PIR motion sensor has a radiation receiving surface and is able to detect the lateral movement of an occupant in front of the forward-facing surface of the housing. The thermostat further comprises a grille member having one or more openings and included along the forward-facing surface of the housing, the grille member being placed over the radiation receiving surface of the PIR motion sensor. The grille member is configured and dimensioned to visually conceal and protect the PIR motion sensor disposed inside the housing, the visual concealment promoting a visually pleasing quality of the thermostat, while at the same time permitting the PIR motion sensor to effectively detect the lateral movement of the occupant. In one embodiment, the grille member openings are slit-like openings oriented along a substantially horizontal direction.