Wireless HVAC Zone Remote for Occupant-Centric Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC controllers often fail to accurately represent environmental conditions felt by occupants, as sensors are typically mounted near walls and do not account for variations in conditions away from walls, and users must physically interact with each controller in zoned systems, making it inconvenient to adjust settings.
Innovation Solution
A wireless HVAC remote control unit that allows users to select zones, view, and change parameters on a portable device, automatically detecting nearby controllers and sending changes wirelessly, enabling convenient operation of zoned HVAC systems without the need for physical interaction with each controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted near walls in HVAC controllers, then the controllers can sense environmental conditions at fixed locations, but the sensed conditions do not accurately represent the actual environmental conditions felt by occupants away from walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the wall-mounted controller location and places a portable remote control unit with sensors that can be moved to different locations throughout the space. This allows the sensing function to be separated from the fixed controller installation, enabling accurate measurement of conditions where occupants actually are rather than where the controller is mounted.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable remote control unit acts as an intermediary between the wall-mounted controller and the occupied space. It wirelessly transmits sensor data from various locations to the controller, serving as a mobile mediator that bridges the gap between fixed controller installation and dynamic occupancy patterns.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users must physically walk over to each HVAC controller in zoned systems to make changes, then each controller can be independently adjusted, but the operation becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The portable remote control unit provides universal control capability across multiple zoned controllers. Instead of requiring separate interactions with each wall-mounted controller, the single portable device can communicate with and adjust settings on multiple controllers wirelessly, consolidating control functions into one versatile interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical requirement of physically walking to each controller with wireless electronic communication. The portable device uses wireless protocols to transmit control commands to zoned controllers, substituting physical movement with electronic signal transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wall-mounted controllers are installed for zoned systems, then each zone can be controlled locally, but the system complexity and number of user interactions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control interface functionality into a single portable device that can interact with multiple zoned controllers. Instead of having separate control interfaces at each zone location, the control functions are combined in one mobile unit that can communicate with all controllers as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable remote control unit creates a mobile copy of the controller interface functionality. Rather than requiring users to interact with the original wall-mounted controllers, the portable device replicates control capabilities in a form factor that can be easily moved and operated from any location.
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC remote control unit for use in an HVAC system is described. In some instances, an HVAC remote control unit may be provided that wirelessly communicates with two or more HVAC controllers and/or other HVAC devices in a zoned HVAC system. When so provided, the remote control unit may be configured to allow a user to select between two or more zones of the zoned HVAC system, and to load one or more of the parameters and/or settings associated with a selected zone via the wireless interface. The remote control unit may be further configured to display at least one of the received parameters and/or settings on a display of the remote control unit, and a user may be allowed to change one or more of the parameters and/or settings that are displayed on the display for a selected zone. The zoned HVAC system may subsequently operate in accordance with the one or more changed parameters and/or settings in the selected zone. In some cases, it is contemplated that the remote control unit may be configured to dynamically change its behavior based on whether a zoned or non-zoned HVAC system is detected. In some instances, most or all functionality of the HVAC remote control unit may be accessible from a single menu level without having to access a sub-menu, but this is not required in all embodiments.