Zone Thermostat Touchscreen for Local HVAC Override Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy management systems face challenges in providing convenient, flexible, and inexpensive local override control of HVAC and lighting devices across different zones of a building, often requiring physical access to a centralized site controller and limiting user access due to restricted computer usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing thermostats with touch screen interfaces as remote terminal units that can control HVAC and lighting systems, allowing local users to initiate overrides and display system status, with the central site controller determining override permissions and scheduling, enabling remote terminal mode operation without the need for a dedicated display at the site controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized site controller with display is used to provide local monitoring and control, then system status review and override capability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the control functionality by enabling individual thermostats in different zones to act as remote terminal units. Each thermostat can independently provide monitoring and override capabilities for its zone without requiring a centralized display unit, thus segmenting the control function across multiple simple devices rather than one complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermostats are designed to serve dual functions: their normal thermostat control function and an additional remote terminal unit function. When activated, a thermostat can display system status and provide override control for any zone, making the thermostat a universal interface that replaces the need for dedicated centralized monitoring equipment.
2Ease of operation
If electromechanical switches with status indicators are used for lighting control, then local override capability is provided, but flexibility and digital control capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces electromechanical switches and physical status indicators with a digital touch screen interface. The touch screen provides graphical display of system status and digital control buttons for overrides, eliminating mechanical components and providing the flexibility of software-based control while maintaining local override capability.
3Ease of operation
If web portals or software on onsite computers are provided for control, then remote access capability is improved, but user accessibility is restricted due to computer usage policies
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat system provides self-contained control capability at the zone level. Employees can directly use the thermostat touch screen in their zone to access system status and initiate overrides without needing to use centralized computers or web portals. This eliminates dependency on computer usage policies and provides direct local access to control functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy management system having a centralized site controller is provided with thermostats in multiple zones, each thermostat having the capability of acting as a remote terminal to the controller. Each thermostat provides an interface to the site controller while simultaneously acting as the thermostat for each zone. The thermostat can display information concerning the state of the building's lighting and HVAC systems for any zone and allow the local user to initiate local overrides of set points. In an embodiment, override requests are received by the central controller and merged with the settings for the current control algorithms.