Method and system for controlling a mini-split HVAC unit from a remote location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mini-split HVAC systems often fail to accurately control temperature experienced by users, especially when mounted high in a room, as the temperature sensed by the system's internal sensor does not reflect the user's perceived comfort level.
Innovation Solution
A wireless remote controller that includes a temperature sensor and a transmitter to adjust the programmable setpoint of the HVAC unit based on the user's desired temperature, stabilizing the sensed temperature and determining an offset to ensure comfort, with options for user interface display and schedule settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the HVAC unit is mounted high in the room toward the ceiling, then the controls are not readily reachable by the user, but the temperature sensor mounted at the same location does not accurately represent the user's experienced temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the control interface from the temperature sensing function. The remote controller is placed at user level for easy operation, while a separate temperature sensor is positioned in the HVAC unit at ceiling level. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its primary function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary offset calculation mechanism that bridges the gap between the ceiling-mounted sensor temperature and the user-level experienced temperature. The controller calculates an offset based on the difference between sensor temperature and user-setpoint, then applies this offset to adjust the actual control setpoint, effectively mediating the temperature control between two different spatial locations.
2Device complexity
If the temperature sensor is housed in the HVAC system, then the system structure is simplified, but the sensed temperature does not represent the temperature experienced by the user
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the control parameter by calculating and applying a temperature offset. Instead of physically relocating the sensor, the patent modifies the temperature parameter through mathematical adjustment (adding offset to setpoint) to compensate for the spatial discrepancy between sensor location and user location, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy without increasing structural complexity.
3Device complexity
If the programmable setpoint is used directly for temperature control, then the control system is simple, but it does not account for the temperature discrepancy between sensor location and user location
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the difference between the sensor temperature and the user-setpoint temperature, calculates an offset, and applies this offset to adjust the control setpoint. This feedback loop ensures that the HVAC system responds to actual user comfort needs rather than just the raw sensor data, improving control reliability while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
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 effectively adjusts the HVAC unit's setpoint to match the user's perceived comfort level, improving temperature control and user satisfaction by accounting for the discrepancy between sensed and experienced temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature at the remote controller
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless controller to set a programmable setpoint of a remote HVAC unit that thermostatically controls a temperature in a space using the temperature sensed and a programmable setpoint. The wireless controller may include a transmitter, a memory, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The wireless controller may transmit commands to set the programmable setpoint of the remote HVAC unit, wait until the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor of the wireless controller stabilizes, determine a difference between the desired setpoint temperature and the stabilized temperature, and if the offset temperature is greater than or equal to a threshold offset, determine an updated control setpoint temperature and transmit commands to set the programmable setpoint of the remote HVAC unit to an updated control setpoint temperature.