Wireless Condenser Control to Eliminate Rodent-Damaged Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems require hardwired connections from the thermostat to the condensing or heat pump unit, which are prone to damage from animals and costly to repair, especially when the condensing unit is located outside.
Innovation Solution
A wireless circuit board that receives a 24V signal from the thermostat and transmits it wirelessly to the condensing or heat pump unit, eliminating the need for physical wires and reducing the risk of damage from rodents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardwired connections are used from thermostat to condensing unit, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the system becomes vulnerable to animal damage and costly repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardwired electrical connection system with a wireless communication system. The thermostat communicates with the condensing unit controller via wireless signals (RF, Wi-Fi, or other wireless protocols), eliminating physical wires that are vulnerable to animal damage while maintaining reliable control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (wireless transceiver system) between the thermostat and condensing unit controller. This intermediary enables signal transmission without physical wire contact, protecting the system from animal-related wire damage while maintaining communication reliability.
2Reliability
If hardwired connections are used from thermostat to condensing unit, then stable control signal transmission is achieved, but installation and repair become complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical wire-based signal transmission system with a wireless communication system. This eliminates the need for physical wire installation and repair, allowing technicians to simply program wireless communication parameters rather than physically trace and repair damaged wires through walls and attics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission medium parameter from physical wire to electromagnetic wave. This fundamental parameter change transforms the system from one requiring physical wire manipulation for repair to one requiring only software/configuration changes, dramatically simplifying maintenance.
3Ease of repair
If wireless communication is used between thermostat and condensing unit, then ease of installation and protection from animal damage is achieved, but signal reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional wireless communication system that can operate across multiple protocols (RF, Wi-Fi, mesh networking) and includes both transmission and reception capabilities with automatic protocol selection. This multi-functionality ensures reliable communication while maintaining installation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms in the wireless communication system, including signal strength monitoring, automatic retransmission of lost packets, and quality-of-service verification. The system continuously monitors communication reliability and adjusts transmission parameters to maintain stable operation despite environmental variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless connection between an air conditioning unit or heat pump condenser and a split system furnace or air handler where the furnace or air handler is in the structure and the air conditioning condensing unit or heat pump condenser are external to the structure, and a thermostat in the structure which controls the air conditioning or heat pump unit. In this way, when a cooling signal from a thermostat goes out, the circuit board is energized and turns on the air conditioning or heat pump portion of the air conditioning unit which is wired internally to the compressor so that cooling or heating in the structure occurs. The wireless circuit board eliminates the need for having the hard wired communication between the furnace or air handler and the air conditioning condenser or the heat pump condenser.