MAGNETICALLY MOUNTED WALL THERMOSTAT

One aspect of this disclosure provides a thermostat that can be magnetically attached to the wall using one or more magnets that allow the thermostat to be rotated about the wall, once mounted, or easily removed from the wall altogether to operate as a remote unit. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.

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Description
RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/068,799 filed Oct. 27, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is directed to thermostats for use with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, and more particularly, to a magnetically-mounted wall thermostats, systems, and methods.

BACKGROUND

Wall mounted thermostats that are used to control heating ventilation air conditioning (HAVC) units have been used for decades. These conventional wall mounted thermostats are typically anchored to the wall by screws, bolts or by being snapped into an in-wall housing that is anchored to the wall, in an air conditioned area that is to be controlled by the thermostat. Though the capabilities and accessibility of thermostats in general have changed rapidly over the last few years due to advancements in increased capabilities of micro controllers and size reduction, the way in which thermostats are attached to the wall has basically remained unchanged. This is probably due in part to advancements in technology that allow users to remotely control their thermostats through a computer, tablet, smart phone, or similar device. By using one or more of these various computerized smart devices, a user can access the thermostat and make various changes to the thermostat's settings (e.g., changing the temperature setting, obtaining information from the thermostat, etc.) without being in the same building as the thermostat. Thus, there is little motivation to change the way in which thermostats are attached to a wall of the structure in which the thermostat is situated.

SUMMARY

One aspect of this disclosure provides a thermostat that can be magnetically attached to the wall using one or more magnets that allow the thermostat to be rotated about the wall, once mounted, or easily removed from the wall altogether to operate as a remote unit. Unless otherwise indicated, as used throughout this document, “or” does not require mutual exclusivity. This unique configuration provides advantages over more permanent conventional anchoring systems that have been used to anchor the thermostats to a wall. For example, the presence of the magnets allows the thermostat to be rotated about the wall to change the general orientation of the thermostat, which can be helpful in physically tight locations, such as adjoining walls or adjacent door moldings that would otherwise prevent the thermostat from being placed in that particular location. Additionally, the rotation allows the user to rotate the thermostat from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation for aesthetic reasons, if desired. Further, this easy release design allows the thermostat to function as a remote sensor, so that the user can take the thermostat into a different room, which would then adjust the operation of the HVAC unit to attempt to change the temperature of the room in which the remote thermostat and the user is presently located, and thereby making the user more comfortable.

According to one illustrative embodiment, a magnetically mounted wall thermostat for use as part of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a thermostat housing having a first side and a second side. The thermostat housing includes a display on the first side of the thermostat housing to present visual indicia and to receive user inputs and includes a back plate on the second side of the thermostat housing. The back plate is coupled to the display. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat further includes a wall mounting base having a first side and a second side. The first side of the wall mounting base is disposed adjacent to the second side of the thermostat housing when the magnetically mounted wall thermostat is in a mounted position. The second side of the wall mounting base is disposed adjacent to a wall in a volume in which conditioned air is desired. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat further includes a releasable magnetic coupling having a first member and a second member. The first member is coupled to the second side of the thermostat housing and the second member is coupled to the first side of the wall mounting base. At least one of the first member and second member is a magnet and in many embodiments they both are. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat may also include a signal coupling formed between the thermostat housing and the wall mounting base.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a magnetically mounted wall thermostat for use as part of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system includes a thermostat housing having a first side and a second side. The thermostat housing includes a display on the first side of the thermostat housing to present visual indicia and to receive user inputs and a back plate on the second side of the thermostat housing. The back plate is coupled to the display. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat further includes a wall mounting base having a first side and a second side. The first side of the wall mounting base is disposed adjacent to the second side of the thermostat housing when the magnetically mounted wall thermostat is in a mounted position and the second side of the wall mounting base disposed adjacent to a wall in a volume in which conditioned air is desired. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat also includes a magnetic coupling means for coupling the thermostat housing and the wall mounting base to provide for rotational movement and release with a parting force greater than a threshold force.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a thermostat for use as an aspect of a heating ventilation and air conditioning system includes a base unit that is coupled to a wall in a room of a building that is to receive conditioned air. The base unit has a first side that faces away from the wall and a second side that faces the wall. The thermostat further includes a display unit that includes a display for presenting visual indicia to a user. The display unit has a first side and a second side. The display is on the first side of the display unit and the second side of the display unit is adjacent to the first side of the base unit when in a mounted position. The thermostat also includes a releasable and rotatable coupling formed between the base unit and the display unit that allows the display unit to rotate relative to the base unit and allows the display unit to be released from the base unit when a separation force is applied greater than a separation threshold. The releasable and rotatable coupling includes at least a first magnet attached to first side of the base unit and at least a second magnet attached to the second side of the display unit whereby the first magnet and the second magnet develop a magnetic force holding the base unit and display unit proximate to one another when the base unit and display unit are in the mounted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic, perspective view of a front of an illustrative embodiment of a magnetically wall mounted thermostat with portions on a backside shown in broken lines;

FIG. 1B is a schematic, perspective view of a front of an illustrative embodiment of a backplate of the magnetically wall mounted thermostat of FIG. 1A and having a mounting area that is a feature that forms a protrusion;

FIG. 1C is a schematic, perspective view of a front of an illustrative embodiment of a backplate of the magnetically wall mounted thermostat of FIG. 1A and having a mounting area that is a feature that forms a recess;

FIG. 1D is a schematic, perspective view of a front of an illustrative embodiment of a wall base having a wall mounting area that is a feature that protrudes;

FIG. 1E is a schematic, perspective view of a front of an illustrative embodiment of a wall base having a wall mounting area that is a feature forming a recess;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate different orientations of an illustrative embodiment of a magnetically wall mounted thermostat that can be achieved when mounted to the wall mounting base;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view in elevation, with a portion in cross section, of an illustrative embodiment of a magnetically wall mounted thermostat when mounted to the wall mounting plate;

FIG. 4A is a schematic, plan view of a front of an illustrative embodiment of a wall base having concentric circle conductors

FIG. 4B is a schematic front view of a thermostat housing having conductive contact points for interfacing with the concentric circle conducts of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a schematic, exploded view of an illustrative embodiment of a mounting base having various electronic circuitry contained therein;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of one illustrative embodiment of a back side of a magnetically wall mounted thermostat with its back panel removed having various electronic circuitry contained therein; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic, exploded perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a magnetically wall mounted thermostat.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A presents one illustrative embodiment of a magnetically wall mounted thermostat 100 of this disclosure that is for use as an aspect of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The thermostat 100 includes a screen or display 105 that is attached to a back plate 110, that together form a thermostat housing 112, or display housing. The thermostat housing 112 has a first side 113 (or front side) and a second side 114 (or back side). The display 105 is on the first side 113 and the back plate 110 is on the second side 114. The display 105 may be used to present visual indicia, such as temperature set point, actual temperature, mode of operation, etc. to users and to receive user input from a touch screen, physical device associated with the screen, or wireless signal.

The back plate 110 has a mounting area 115, in which one or more magnets 120 are located. Both the mounting area 115 and the magnets 120 are shown, as dashed circles, indicating that they lie behind the screen 105, i.e., on the second side 114 (back side) of the thermostat housing 112. The mounting area 115 is the area of the black plate 110 that is utilized to mount the thermostat housing 112 to a wall plate, as described below. In one illustrative embodiment, the mounting area 115, is a feature 125 that protrudes from the surface of the back plate 110, as generally shown in FIG. 1B, or in another illustrative embodiment, it is a recess 130 formed in the surface of the back plate 110, as generally shown in FIG. 1C. Other arrangements, such as flat, may be used. Though the mounting area 115 is shown to be circular, it should be understood that other geometric configurations may also be employed, such as a square, hexagonal, or octagonal shapes, provided, the geometric configuration is able to rotate in a circular direction with respect to a wall base 135, as generally illustrated in FIGS. 1D and 1E.

The magnets 120 may be used to couple the back plate 110 to other portions of the thermostat housing 112 as described herein. In other embodiments, glue, physical fasteners, press fit or interference fit or other technique may be used. The magnets 120 may also be used to attract and releasably hold a wall mounting base 135. The display 105 and back plate 110 form the thermostat housing 112 that may form an interior portion with various electronic components therein as desired.

The thermostat housing 112 is releasably and moveably coupled to the wall mounting base 135 using a releaseable magnetic coupling 315 (FIG. 3). In this way, the thermostat housing 112 may be twisted or rotated vis-à-vis the wall mounting base 135 or force separating the thermostat housing 112 and wall mounting base 135 may be generated to allow them to be displaced one from another. In one illustrative embodiment, the thermostat housing 112 is mountable to the wall base 135, as shown in FIGS. 1D, 1E, and 2A. The wall base 135 has a first side (front side) 136 and a second side (back side) 137. The first side 136 of the wall mounting base 135 is disposed adjacent to the second side 114 of the thermostat housing 112 when the magnetically mounted wall thermostat 100 is in a mounted position, i.e., in position on a wall, and the second side 137 of the wall mounting base 135 is disposed adjacent to the wall in a room or volume in which conditioned air is desired.

The wall base 135 includes a wall mounting area 140 that corresponds to the mounting area 115 of the back plate 110 of the thermostat 100 and may also have one or more magnets 145 located within the mounting area. Depending on the configuration of the mounting area 115 of the back panel 110, in one illustrative embodiment, the wall mounting area 140 is a feature 150 that protrudes from the surface of the wall base 135, or in another illustrative embodiment, the wall mounting area 140 is a recess 155. Thus, if the mounting area 115 of the back panel 110 is the protruding feature 125, the wall mounting area 140 of the wall base 135 will be the recess 155 into which the protruding feature 125 can be received when the thermostat 100 is attached to the wall base 135. Alternatively, if the mounting area 115 of the back panel 110 is the recess feature 130, the mounting area 140 of the wall base 135 will be the protruding feature 150 that will be received within the recess feature 130 when the thermostat 100 is attached to the wall base 135. In this way, the thermostat housing 112 and wall mounting base 135 cooperate to be mated. In one illustrative embodiment, the wall mounting base 135 may include an optional wall plate 160, which can be used to cover a larger opening in the wall if present.

A releasable magnetic coupling 315 (shown clearly in FIG. 3) may be used to releasably and moveably couple the thermostat housing 112 to the wall mounting base 135. The releasable magnetic coupling 315 includes a first member 316 and a second member 318. The first member 316 may be a magnet or plurality of magnets and the second member 318 may be another magnetic with correct polarity to be attracted to the first member 316 or could be a metal member or other magnetically attractive member. Alternatively, the first member 316 may be a metal member or other magnetically attractive member and the second member 318 may be a magnet. Whether magnet and magnetically attractive member or magnetic and magnet, the first member 316 and second member 318 cooperate to form a magnetic force therebetween when in close proximity as would be the case in the mounted position. The first member 316 is coupled to the second side 114 of the thermostat housing 112 and the second member 318 is coupled to the first side 136 of the wall mounting base 135. At least one of the first member 316 and second member 318 comprises a magnet. Any magnetic material may be used for the magnets described herein. Non-limiting examples include rare-earth magnets or ferromagnetic materials.

As noted above, either one or both of the thermostat 100 and the wall base 135 include one or more magnets 120, 145, respectively, to form a magnetic coupling. In those embodiments where a single magnet is used, either one or the other of the thermostat or wall mounting base 135 will have a magnet centrally located within either the mounting area 115 or mounting area 140. In such embodiments, whichever of the thermostat 100 or wall mounting base 135 that does not include the single magnet, the other will have a metal plate or be constructed of a material, at least within the mounting area, such that the opposing component will be magnetically attracted to the magnet, causing the opposing component and the magnet to be magnetically coupled together. At the same time, the magnetic coupling will allow relative rotational movement and under a separation for force, release from each other. Many embodiments are possible.

For example, in one embodiment, the wall base 135 may have two or four (or some other number) magnets 145 (or second member 318 (FIG. 3)) and the thermostat housing 112 may have metal members, metal plates, or another magnet (first member 316) that are positioned to interface with the first magnets 145 to releasably and moveably hold the thermostat housing 112 to the wall base 135. The magnets 145 may be attached using an adhesive or any technique to couple the magnet or magnets to the desired location. In one embodiment, the wall base 135 may be formed with tracks (or physical slots) to help locate the magnets during manufacture. With these various arrangements, the display 105, which is part of the thermostat housing 112, and the wall base 135 may be moved (twisted, or rotated) relative to each other with any degrees of difference or may be pulled normal to the wall to release the thermostat housing 112 and wall base 135.

In an illustrative embodiment, both the thermostat 100 and the wall mounting base 135 each have a plurality of magnets (or alternatively metal plates on one side) located within their respective mounting areas 115 and 140 and placed near a perimeter, but within the mounting areas 115 and 140. In one illustrative embodiment, within each mounting areas 115 and 140, there are two magnets that are spaced 90° apart, such that display housing 112 can be readily rotated with respect to the wall mounting base 135 in a portrait (length of display housing 112 is oriented vertically) position, as seen in FIG. 2A or a landscape (length of display housing 112 is oriented horizontally) position, as seen in FIG. 2B. Other magnet positions and numbers may be used as well as combinations of magnets and metal (or magnetically attractive) plates. In yet another illustrative embodiment, each of the thermostat 100 and the wall mounting base 135 have two pairs of magnets that are spaced 180° apart that also allow the above orientations to be achieved. This not only allows for the display housing 112 to be placed in different orientations for convenience or aesthetic purposes, but this unique feature also allows the display housing 112 to be easily removed from the wall mounting base 135, if desired. The greater number of magnets that are present, the greater holding power. Though four magnets are shown on each of the display housing 112 and the wall mounting base 135, more than four magnets can be used on each the display housing 112 and the wall mounting base 135, if desired, thereby further increasing the holding power. Some embodiments may have fewer magnets.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial sectional view of one illustrative embodiment in which the mounting area 115 of the display housing 112 is a protruding base area 305 and the mounting area 140 of the wall mounting base 135 is a recessed area 310. As discussed above, this configuration may be reversed, or in an alternative illustrative embodiment, both mounting areas 115, 140 may be protruded regions that contact each other.

The thermostat housing 112 and the wall mounting base 135 include a quick or easy connect/disconnect interface 146, or signal coupler, that provide electrical connection between the display housing 112 and wall mounting base 135, for communication or power, while allowing for the two to be easily separated from one another when the user exerts sufficient pulling force to separate the magnets from one another. Furthermore, the quick connect 146 may allow for a twisting or rotational motion between the wall base 135 and display 105. For example, in one illustrative embodiment, the connect/disconnect interface may be a quick release electrical connector pair located on ends of small cables that extend from each of the display housing 112 and the wall mounting base 135.

Another example is a surface electrical contact system, as generally shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In this illustrative embodiment, concentric circles 405 of a conductive metal, such as copper, are located in the center of the mounting area 140 of the wall mounting base 135, while conductive contact points 410 are arranged on the mounting area 115 of the back panel 110 of the display housing 112 to contact the surface of the concentric circles 405 in a way to provide electrical current or signals to the display housing 112. The concentric circles 405 are connected to a main electrical source by wires that run from the electrical source to the wall mounting base 135. Those skilled in the art, given this disclosure, would understand how to connect the two devices to provide electrical connection to run a HVAC system. This particular illustrative embodiment provides a very convenient way in which the thermostat housing 112 of the thermostat 100 is electrically coupled to the wall mounting base 135. If a user chooses to remove the thermostat housing 112 from the wall, the user merely exerts sufficient pulling force to overcome the attraction of the opposing magnets 120, 145; that is, the user develops a separation force greater than a separation threshold. Since electrical communication is achieved by surface contact points, removal of the display housing 112 is quick and easy for the user. Furthermore, in some other illustrative embodiments, the circuitry includes a safety removing controller that automatically disconnects the supply voltage from the surface contacts to prevent electric shock when the unit is removed from the wall mounting base 135.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of one illustrative embodiment of the wall mounting base 135. As seen in this embodiment, the wall mounting base 135 comprises a front panel 505, a back panel 510 attachable to the front panel 505, which form a housing, and an electronic circuit board 515 located between the front and back panels 505, 510 and within the housing. In one illustrative embodiment, the electronic circuit board 515 include various electronic components and circuitry 520, such as a microprocessor 525, controller 530, memory 535, Wi-Fi communication circuitry 540, including an antenna, or a temperature sensor 545, all of which are electrically coupled together in a functional manner as schematically shown. These various components 520 are used to drive or provide data to the display 105 (FIG. 1) and display various types of information on the display 105 (FIG. 1) and receive input requests or commands from the user directly or through a remote interface, such as a smartphone, computer, tablet or other similar types of smart devices. As explained below, in some embodiments, at least a portion of these components are located within the display housing 112, so that the thermostat's functions can either be achieved optionally through either the wall mounting base 135 or the display housing 112.

FIG. 6 presents an illustrative embodiment of electronic circuitry that may be located within the thermostat housing 112. This embodiment may comprise one or more of a microprocessor 605, a power supply 610, communications circuit 615, an antenna 620, memory 625, which may be separate from or form a part of the microprocessor 605, an external interface port 630, as such a USB port, a temperature sensor 635, a video camera 640, and an audio circuit and speaker 645, all of which are electrically coupled in a functional manner, as generally illustrated. It should be understood that FIG. 6 is merely a schematic diagram of one embodiment that shows the various optional components and that the one or more components may be packaged together in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Further, the listed components are not exhaustive and other components may also be included to provide additional utility to the thermostat 100 or the thermostat housing 112. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, some components may be omitted and others added.

When the display housing 112 includes one or more of the above-listed components, the thermostat may have increased utility to the user. For example, when the display housing 112 is removed from the wall mounting base 135 and the temperature sensor 635 is present, the display housing 112 functions as a remote thermostat that can be carried by the user from room to room. So, if the user enters a room, that due to its distant location from the wall mounting base 135, is warmer than the air at the wall mounting base 135, the temperature sensor 635 will sense the increase temperature and send a command to the HVAC unit to provide additional cooling until the temperature sensor 635 is cooled to the set, thereby making the user more comfortable at the user's location. In such embodiments, the temperature sensor's 635 is communicated from the thermostat housing 112 by way of the communications circuit 615 and antenna 620, and the power for the continued operation of the thermostat housing 112, when separated from the main power supply at the wall mounting base 135, is provided by the power supply 610, which in one illustrative embodiment is a rechargeable battery. The temperature sensor's 635 signal may be communicated to the wall mounting base 135, which in turn, transmits the signal to the HVAC controller, or the temperature sensor's 635 signal may be transmitted directly to the HVAC controller by Wi-Fi. The microprocessor 605 and the memory 625 provide adequate processing power and programming to control the operation of the various components and may work in conjunction with or separate from the circuitry of the wall mounting base 135.

In addition to the thermostat housing 112 receiving programming instructions and other data wirelessly, in one illustrative embodiment, it receives data via the external interface port 630. Either of these data links allows various types of data to be transmitted to and electronically stored in the memory of the thermostat housing 112, including personalized photographs or videos. Thus, with the easy removal function of the thermostat housing 112 from the wall mounting base 135, the display housing 112 can also function as an electronic picture frame that can either scroll various pictures or display a static picture, or play videos as part of the visual indicia on the display. With the electronic circuitry that can be included within the device, the display housing 112 can function similarly to that of a smart tablet, including even browsing the internet with a Wi-Fi connection.

In another illustrative embodiment, the thermostat housing 112 also includes the video camera 640 that together with the Wi-Fi capability can allow the user to communicate with others over the internet. For example, if the user is experiencing HVAC operation problems, the user can use the video camera to speak face-to-face with a service representative. Additionally, the video camera may operate as a facial recognition sensor so the HVAC will operate in a certain programmed or prescribed manner when a particular user is sensed by the video camera.

In yet another illustrative embodiment, the thermostat housing 112 also includes the audio circuit and speaker 645 that allow the user to input audible instructions into the display housing 112 by way of voice commands and receive voice inquiries or other statements from the display housing 112. The thermostat 100 may also interface with household integration control devices.

In embodiments presented herein, the display 105 and the wall mounting base 135 allow rotation, or twisting, while remaining in their given planes, whereby the thermostat display may assume a horizontal or vertical position without changing the physical mounting bracket on the wall. In addition, the display 105 and wall mounting base 135 may have a separating force applied, e.g., a force pulling the display 105 away from the wall, to separate the two. In this case, the display 105 may be carried by a user to different locations and used a remote control. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor or humidity sensor may be in coupled to the wall mounting base 135 or the display 105. In still another embodiment, duplicate temperature or humidity sensors may be included so that the display 105 and wall mounting base 135 both have a temperature sensor or humidity sensor associated therewith. When the sensors remain on the wall, it may provide a more stable measurement environment. Communication between the sensors and the display may be by a wireless interface.

When the display 105 is proximate the wall mounting base 135, the display 105 may receive power by wireless charging, e.g., inductive charging or by physical contacts.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 7, which is an exploded, perspective view, another illustrative embodiment of a magnetically mounted wall thermostat 700 for use as part of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is presented. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat 700 includes a thermostat housing 702 having a display 704 and a back plate 706. The thermostat housing 702 has a first side 708 and a second side 710. The display 704 is operational to present visual indicia on the first side 708, which is also the first side of the display 704, and the display 704 also functions to receive user control inputs, such as change of temperature. Various electronics or electrical components 714 are included in an interior portion of the thermostat housing 702.

The display 704 has a first side 716 and a second side 718. The back plate 706 has a first side 720 and a second side 722. The second side 718 of the display 704 may be coupled to the first side 720 of the back plate 706 using magnets analogous to the discussion in connection with FIGS. 1B and 1C above or may be press fit, glued, or held by any other coupling technique to form the thermostat housing 702. A magnetic holder 724 may be attached to the second side 722 of the back plate 706. The magnetic holder 724 includes at least one magnet that is used to attract a magnetic member 726, such a magnetic ring 728. The magnetic holder 724 also may include one or more coils (not explicitly shown) for wireless charging as will be described further below.

The magnetically mounted wall thermostat 700 also includes a wall mounting base 730. The wall mounting base 730 includes the magnetic member 726, various electronics or electrical components 732, and a wall attachment member 734, or wall plate. The wall attachment member 734 may house various electronics or electrical components. The wall mounting base 730 has a first side 736 and a second side 738. The magnetic member 726 may have a feature 740 that is a protrusion portion 742 that is sized and configured to mate with a recess 744 formed as an aspect of the magnetic holder 724 of the thermostat housing 702. In another embodiment, the protrusion may be on the thermostat housing 702 and the recess on the magnetic member 726. The magnetic member 726 may include at least one magnet for attracting the magnetic holder 724 when adjacent in the mounting position or the magnetic holder 724 may have at least one magnet to attract the magnetic member 726 or both may have at least one magnet. The magnetic member 726 may also include one or more coils (not explicitly shown). The one or more coils of the magnetic member 726 and one or more coils of the magnetic holder 724 may be excited to charge an electrical storage device associated with the display 704.

In one embodiment, a perimeter ring 746 is sized and configured to mate within a recess 749 formed within a portion of the wall attachment member 734. The magnetic member 726 may be held to the wall attachment member 734 by mechanical fasteners, glue, snap fit, or attachment techniques. The various electronics 732 may be disposed within an interior created using the magnetic member 726 and wall attachment member 734.

In this illustrative embodiment, a releasable magnetic coupling having a first member 748 and a second member 750 is used to releaseably and moveably couple the thermostat housing 702 to the wall mounting base 730. In this particular example, the first member 748 comprises the at least one magnet of the magnetic holder 724, and the second member 750 comprises the magnetic member 726. The first member 748 and second member 750 allow relative movement against each other, i.e., rotation, and when a separating force is generated greater than a separation threshold the first member 748 and second member 750 separate and thereby allow the thermostat housing 702 to move away from the wall mounting base 730.

A signal coupling may be used to communicate signals between the thermostat housing 702 and the wall mounting base 730. The signal coupling may be any device or technique for sending and receiving signals between the thermostat housing 702 and the wall mounting base 730. In one embodiment, the signal coupling comprises a first transmitter and receiver associated or within the thermostat housing 702 and a second transmitter and receiver associated or in the wall mounting base 730. In another illustrative embodiment, the signal coupling includes placing concentric circle contacts (see 405 in FIG. 4A) on the wall mounting base 730 or thermostat housing 702 and placing conductive contact points (see 410 in FIG. 4B) on the other—either thermostat housing 702 or wall mounting base 730. Still other techniques may be used to relay signals between the thermostat housing 702 and the wall mounting base 730 while allowing rotation relative to each other and disconnect when the thermostat housing 702 and the wall mounting base 730 are put into a separated position, i.e., not the mounted position.

According to an illustrative embodiment, a thermostat for use as an aspect of a heating ventilation and air conditioning system includes a base unit that is coupled to a wall in a room of a building that is to receive conditioned air, the base unit has a first side that faces away from the wall and a second side that faces the wall; a display unit that includes a display for presenting visual indicia to a user, the display unit has a first side and a second side, the display is on the first side of the display unit and the second side of the display unit is adjacent to the first side of the base unit when in a mounted position; and a releasable and rotatable coupling formed between the base unit and the display unit that allows the display unit to rotate relative to the base unit and allows the display unit to be released from the base unit when a separation force is applied greater than a separation threshold, the releasable and rotatable coupling comprises at least a first magnet attached to first side of the base unit and at least a second magnet attached to the second side of the display unit whereby the first magnet and the second magnet develop a magnetic force holding the base unit and display unit proximate to one another when the base unit and display unit are in the mounted position.

The thermostat of the preceding paragraph may further include an electrical connector, wherein the electrical connector includes a plurality of concentric circle contacts and a plurality of contact members, wherein the plurality of contact members are spaced to coordinate with the concentric circle contacts when in the thermostat is in the mounted position.

As used herein, the term “magnetic coupling means” means the arrangement using magnets with magnets or with magnetically-attractive material on the thermostat housing and wall mounting base as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 7. It also includes all like methods of holding the elements together using a magnetic force.

As used herein, the term “coupled” includes coupling via a separate object and includes direct coupling. The term “coupled” also encompasses two or more components that are continuous with one another by virtue of each of the components being formed from the same piece of material or associated one to another by a magnetic field.

The present invention and its advantages have been disclosed in the context of certain illustrative, non-limiting embodiments. The illustrative descriptions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Moreover, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, permutations, and alterations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be appreciated that any feature that is described in a connection to any one embodiment may also be applicable to any other embodiment.

Claims

1. A magnetically mounted wall thermostat for use as part of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, the magnetically mounted wall thermostat comprising:

a thermostat housing having a first side and a second side, wherein the thermostat housing comprises a display on the first side of the thermostat housing to present visual indicia and to receive user inputs and a back plate on the second side of the thermostat housing, wherein the back plate is coupled to the display;
a wall mounting base having a first side and a second side, the first side of the wall mounting base disposed adjacent to the second side of the thermostat housing when the magnetically mounted wall thermostat is in a mounted position and the second side of the wall mounting base disposed adjacent to a wall in a volume in which conditioned air is desired; and
a releasable magnetic coupling associated with the thermostat housing and wall mounting base for releaseably and rotatably coupling the thermostat housing and wall mounting base, the releasable magnetic coupling having a first member and a second member, wherein the first member is coupled to the second side of the thermostat housing and the second member is coupled to the first side of the wall mounting base, and wherein at least one of the first member and second member comprises a magnet.

2. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a signal coupling formed between the thermostat housing and the wall mounting base.

3. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a signal coupling formed between the thermostat and the wall mounting base, wherein the signal coupling comprises concentric circle contacts formed on a first side of the wall mounting base and conductive contact points on a second side of the thermostat housing.

4. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a signal coupling formed between the thermostat and the wall mounting base, wherein the signal coupling comprises a first wireless transmitter and receiver coupled to the thermostat housing and a second wireless transmitter and receiver coupled to the wall mounting base.

5. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of magnets for coupling the back plate to the display.

6. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, the first member of the releasable magnetic coupling comprises at least a first magnet attached to the second side of the thermostat housing and the second member comprises at least a second magnet coupled to the first side of the wall mounting base.

7. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, the first member of the releasable magnetic coupling comprises a magnetically-attractive material attached to the second side of the thermostat housing and the second member comprises a magnet coupled to the first side of the wall mounting base.

8. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, the first member of the releasable magnetic coupling comprises a magnet attached to the second side of the thermostat housing and the second member comprises a magnetically-attractive material coupled to the first side of the wall mounting base.

9. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, wherein the first member of the releasable magnetic coupling comprises a magnetic holder coupled to the second side of the thermostat housing and the second member comprises a magnetic ring coupled to the wall mounting base and sized and configured to cooperate with the magnetic holder to allow relative rotational movement.

10. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 9, wherein the magnetic holder comprises a first coil, and the magnetic ring comprises a second coil, and wherein, when the magnetically mounted wall thermostat is in the mounted position, the first coil and second coil may be magnetically excited to provide electrical energy to the thermostat housing to charge an electrical storage device within the thermostat housing.

11. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, wherein the first member of the releasable magnetic coupling comprises a recessed, circular magnetic holder coupled to the second side of the thermostat housing and the second member comprises a projecting magnetic ring coupled to the wall mounting base and sized and configured to mate with the recessed, circular magnetic holder.

12. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, comprising a temperature sensor attached to the wall mounting base.

13. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, comprising a temperature sensor attached to the thermostat housing.

14. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, wherein a portion of the second side of the thermostat housing comprises a first mounting area and a portion of the first side of the wall mounting base comprises a second mounting area, and wherein two magnets are attached to the first mounting area with 90 degrees of separation relative to a center point and two magnets are attached to the second mounting area.

15. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, wherein the thermostat housing is configured to move at least 90 degrees between a horizontal position and a vertical position.

16. A magnetically mounted wall thermostat for use as part of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, the magnetically mounted wall thermostat comprising:

a thermostat housing having a first side and a second side, wherein the thermostat housing comprises a display on the first side of the thermostat housing to present visual indicia and to receive user inputs and a back plate on the second side of the thermostat housing, wherein the back plate is coupled to the display;
a wall mounting base having a first side and a second side, the first side of the wall mounting base disposed adjacent to the second side of the thermostat housing when the magnetically mounted wall thermostat is in a mounted position and the second side of the wall mounting base disposed adjacent to a wall in a volume in which conditioned air is desired; and
a magnetic coupling means for coupling the thermostat housing and the wall mounting base to provide for rotational movement and release with a parting force greater than a threshold force.

17. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 16, further comprising a signal coupling means for providing signal communication between the thermostat housing and the wall mounting base.

18. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 16, further comprising a quick connect electrically coupling the thermostat housing and wall mounting base.

19. A thermostat for use as an aspect of a heating ventilation and air conditioning system, the thermostat comprising:

a base unit that is coupled to a wall in a room of a building that is to receive conditioned air, the base unit has a first side that faces away from the wall and a second side that faces the wall;
a display unit that includes a display for presenting visual indicia to a user, the display unit has a first side and a second side, the display is on the first side of the display unit and the second side of the display unit is adjacent to the first side of the base unit when in a mounted position; and
a releasable and rotatable coupling formed between the base unit and the display unit that allows the display unit to rotate relative to the base unit and allows the display unit to be released from the base unit when a separation force is applied greater than a separation threshold, the releasable and rotatable coupling comprises at least a first magnet attached to first side of the base unit and at least a second magnet attached to the second side of the display unit whereby the first magnet and the second magnet develop a magnetic force holding the base unit and display unit proximate to one another when the base unit and display unit are in the mounted position.

20. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector, wherein the electrical connector comprises a plurality of concentric circle contacts and a plurality of contact members, wherein the plurality of contact members are spaced to coordinate with the concentric circle contacts when in the thermostat is in the mounted position.

Patent History
Publication number: 20160116183
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 20, 2015
Publication Date: Apr 28, 2016
Inventors: Steve LAZAR (San Antonio, TX), Peter B. HREJSA (Frisco, TX), Jayprakash D. CHARAVDA (Irving, TX), Kyle GOLDEN (Plano, TX), Stephen VENDT (Lewisville, TX)
Application Number: 14/918,548
Classifications
International Classification: F24F 11/02 (20060101); F24F 11/00 (20060101);