CONDITIONS BASED SCHEDULING IN AN HVAC SYSTEM
A method for automatically generating an HVAC schedule for a building includes storing a thermal model for the building, the thermal model including an indication of the energy efficiency of an HVAC system of the building, receiving a weather forecast predicting future weather at the location of the building, receiving a cost estimate for energy that will be supplied to the HVAC system, receiving from a user a desired budget for a cost of operating the HVAC system over a future period of time, using the thermal model, the weather forecast, the cost estimate for energy and the desired budget of the user to generate an HVAC schedule covering the future period of time that is predicted to meet the desired budget of the user and controlling the HVAC system using the generated HVAC schedule.
The present disclosure pertains to a Heating, Ventilation, and/or Air Conditioning (HVAC) system for a building. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to devices for controlling an HVAC system.
BACKGROUNDHeating, Ventilation, and/or Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are often used to control the comfort level within a building or other structure. Such HVAC systems typically include an HVAC controller that controls various HVAC components of the HVAC system in order to affect and/or control one or more environmental conditions within the building. In many cases, the HVAC controller is mounted within the building and provides control signals to various HVAC components of the HVAC system. Improvements in the hardware, user experience, and functionality of such HVAC controllers, including remote sensor devices, would be desirable.
SUMMARYThe disclosure is directed to HVAC controllers that are configured to receive signals such as temperature signals from a plurality of different temperature sensors, and to utilize these temperature signals in controlling an HVAC system. In a particular example of the disclosure, a method for automatically generating an HVAC schedule for a building in which the HVAC schedule includes two or more time periods and each time period includes a temperature set point includes storing a thermal model for the building, the thermal model including an indication of the energy efficiency of an HVAC system of the building, receiving a weather forecast predicting future weather at the location of the building, receiving a cost estimate for energy that will be supplied to the HVAC system, receiving from a user a desired budget for a cost of operating the HVAC system over a future period of time, using the thermal model, the weather forecast, the cost estimate for energy and the desired budget of the user to generate an HVAC schedule covering the future period of time that is predicted to meet the desired budget of the user and controlling the HVAC system using the generated HVAC schedule.
In another particular example of the disclosure, a method for generating a conditions based setback temperature includes storing a thermal model for a building, the thermal model including an indication of the energy efficiency of the HVAC system in the building, receiving an outdoor temperature at the location of the building, receiving a cost estimate for energy that will be supplied to the HVAC system, using the thermal model, the outdoor temperature, and the cost estimate for energy to generate a conditions based setback temperature, and controlling the HVAC system using a comfort temperature set point when comfort is desired in the building and using the conditions based setback temperature when energy saving is desired.
In another particular example of the disclosure, a server is configured to generate a thermal model for a building, the thermal model including an indication of the energy efficiency of an HVAC system of the building, receive an outdoor temperature at the location of the building, receive a cost estimate for energy that will be supplied to the HVAC system, using the thermal model, the outdoor temperature, and the cost estimate for energy to generate a conditions based setback temperature for the HVAC system of the building, and sending the conditions based setback temperature to an HVAC controller of the HVAC system of the building.
The above summary of some embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify some of these embodiments.
The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following description of various illustrative embodiments of the disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of the disclosure to the particular illustrative embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
DESCRIPTIONThe following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some of the figures, elements not believed necessary to an understanding of relationships among illustrated components may have been omitted for clarity.
All numbers are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about”, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
It is noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “other embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature, structure, or characteristic may be applied to other embodiments whether or not explicitly described unless clearly stated to the contrary.
The present disclosure is directed generally at building automation systems. Building automation systems are systems that control one or more operations of a building. Building automation systems can include HVAC systems, security systems, fire suppression systems, energy management systems and other systems. While HVAC systems with HVAC controllers are used as an example below, it should be recognized that the concepts disclosed herein can be applied to building automation systems more generally.
It is contemplated that the HVAC controller(s) 18 may be configured to control the comfort level in the building or structure by activating and deactivating the HVAC component(s) 6 in a controlled manner. The HVAC controller(s) 18 may be configured to control the HVAC component(s) 6 via a wired or wireless communication link 20. In some cases, the HVAC controller(s) 18 may be a thermostat, such as, for example, a wall mountable thermostat, but this is not required in all embodiments. Such a thermostat may include (e.g. within the thermostat housing) or have access to one or more temperature sensor(s) for sensing ambient temperature at or near the thermostat. In some instances, the HVAC controller(s) 18 may be a zone controller, or may include multiple zone controllers each monitoring and/or controlling the comfort level within a particular zone in the building or other structure. In some cases, the HVAC controller(s) 18 may communicate with one or more remote sensors, such as a remote sensor 21, that may be disposed within the building 2. In some cases, a remote sensor 21 may measure various environmental conditions such as but not limited to temperature.
In the illustrative HVAC system 4 shown in
In some cases, the system of vents or ductwork 10 and/or 14 can include one or more dampers 24 to regulate the flow of air, but this is not required. For example, one or more dampers 24 may be coupled to one or more HVAC controller(s) 18, and can be coordinated with the operation of one or more HVAC components 6. The one or more HVAC controller(s) 18 may actuate dampers 24 to an open position, a closed position, and/or a partially open position to modulate the flow of air from the one or more HVAC components to an appropriate room and/or zone in the building or other structure. The dampers 24 may be particularly useful in zoned HVAC systems, and may be used to control which zone(s) receives conditioned air and/or receives how much conditioned air from the HVAC component(s) 6. In some cases, the one or more HVAC controller(s) 18 may use information from the one or more remote sensors 21, which may be disposed within one or more zones, to adjust the position of one or more of the dampers 24 in order to cause a measured value to approach a set point in a particular zone or zones.
In many instances, one or more air filters 30 may be used to remove dust and other pollutants from the air inside the building 2. In the illustrative example shown in
In some cases, and as shown in
In some cases, the equipment interface module 34 may include a first temperature sensor 38a located in the return (incoming) air duct 14, and a second temperature sensor 38b located in the discharge (outgoing or supply) air duct 10. Alternatively, or in addition, the equipment interface module 34 may include a differential pressure sensor including a first pressure tap 39a located in the return (incoming) air duct 14, and a second pressure tap 39b located downstream of the air filter 30 to measure a change in a parameter related to the amount of flow restriction through the air filter 30. In some cases, it can be useful to measure pressure across the fan in order to determine if too much pressure is being applied as well as to measure pressure across the cooling A-coil in order to determine if the cooling A-coil may be plugged or partially plugged. In some cases, the equipment interface module 34, when provided, may include at least one flow sensor that is capable of providing a measure that is related to the amount of air flow restriction through the air filter 30. In some cases, the equipment interface module 34 may include an air filter monitor. These are just some examples.
When provided, the equipment interface module 34 may be configured to communicate with the HVAC controller 18 via, for example, a wired or wireless communication link 42. In other cases, the equipment interface module 34 may be incorporated or combined with the HVAC controller 18. In some instances, the equipment interface module 34 may communicate, relay or otherwise transmit data regarding the selected parameter (e.g. temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc.) to the HVAC controller 18. In some cases, the HVAC controller 18 may use the data from the equipment interface module 34 to evaluate the system's operation and/or performance. For example, the HVAC controller 18 may compare data related to the difference in temperature (delta T) between the return air side and the discharge air side of the HVAC system 4 to a previously determined delta T limit stored in the HVAC controller 18 to determine a current operating performance of the HVAC system 4. In other cases, the equipment interface module 34 may itself evaluate the system's operation and/or performance based on the collected data.
In some cases, the HVAC controller 18 may be programmed to communicate over the second network 58 with an external web service hosted by one or more external web server(s) 66. A non-limiting example of such an external web service is Honeywell's TOTAL CONNECT™ web service. The HVAC controller 18 may be configured to upload selected data via the second network 58 to the external web service where it may be collected and stored on the external web server 66. In some cases, the data may be indicative of the performance of the HVAC system 4. Additionally, the HVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive and/or download selected data, settings and/or services sometimes including software updates from the external web service over the second network 58. The data, settings and/or services may be received automatically from the web service, downloaded periodically in accordance with a control algorithm, and/or downloaded in response to a user request. In some cases, for example, the HVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive and/or download an HVAC operating schedule and operating parameter settings such as, for example, temperature set points, humidity set points, start times, end times, schedules, window frost protection settings, and/or the like from the web server 66 over the second network 58. In some instances, the HVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive one or more user profiles having at least one operational parameter setting that is selected by and reflective of a user's preferences. In still other instances, the HVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive and/or download firmware and/or hardware updates such as, for example, device drivers from the web server 66 over the second network 58. Additionally, the HVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive local weather data, weather alerts and/or warnings, major stock index ticker data, traffic data, and/or news headlines over the second network 58. These are just some examples.
Depending upon the application and/or where the HVAC user is located, remote access and/or control of the HVAC controller 18 may be provided over the first network 54 and/or the second network 58. A variety of remote wireless devices 62 may be used to access and/or control the HVAC controller 18 from a remote location (e.g. remote from the HVAC Controller 18) over the first network 54 and/or second network 58 including, but not limited to, mobile phones including smart phones, tablet computers, laptop or personal computers, wireless network-enabled key fobs, e-readers, and/or the like. In many cases, the remote wireless devices 62 are configured to communicate wirelessly over the first network 54 and/or second network 58 with the HVAC controller 18 via one or more wireless communication protocols including, but not limited to, cellular communication, ZigBee, REDLINK™, Bluetooth, WiFi, IrDA, dedicated short range communication (DSRC), EnOcean, and/or any other suitable common or proprietary wireless protocol, as desired. In some cases, the remote wireless devices 62 may communicate with the network 54 via the external server 66 for security purposes, for example.
In some cases, an application program code (i.e. app) stored in the memory of the remote wireless device 62 may be used to remotely access and/or control the HVAC controller 18. The application program code (app) may be downloaded from an external web service, such as the web service hosted by the external web server 66 (e.g. Honeywell's TOTAL CONNECT™ web service) or another external web service (e.g. ITUNES® or Google Play). In some cases, the app may provide a remote user interface for interacting with the HVAC controller 18 at the user's remote wireless device 62. For example, through the user interface provided by the app, a user may be able to change operating parameter settings such as, for example, temperature set points, humidity set points, start times, end times, schedules, window frost protection settings, accept software updates and/or the like. Communications may be routed from the user's remote wireless device 62 to the web server 66 and then, from the web server 66 to the HVAC controller 18. In some cases, communications may flow in the opposite direction such as, for example, when a user interacts directly with the HVAC controller 18 to change an operating parameter setting such as, for example, a schedule change or a set point change. The change made at the HVAC controller 18 may be routed to the web server 66 and then from the web server 66 to the remote wireless device 62 where it may reflected by the application program executed by the remote wireless device 62.
In some cases, a user may be able to interact with the HVAC controller 18 via a user interface provided by one or more web pages served up by the web server 66. The user may interact with the one or more web pages using a variety of internet capable devices to effect a setting or other change at the HVAC controller 18, and in some cases view usage data and energy consumption data related to the usage of the HVAC system 4. In some cases, communication may occur between the user's remote wireless device 62 and the HVAC controller 18 without being relayed through a server such as external server 66. These are just some examples.
Each of the building spaces 102, 104, 106, 108 can be seen as including a sensor that may, for example, be considered as being an example of the remote sensor 21 (
In some cases, the input 116 receives current temperatures reported from each of the sensors, with each current temperature corresponding to a particular space in which each sensor is located. Each communication may include an address of the sending sensor, so that HVAC controller 110 can determine which sensor sent the reported temperature. A controller 118 is operably coupled to the user interface 114 and to the input 116. In some cases, the controller 118 is configured to control the HVAC system using a control temperature that is a weighted combination of two or more of the current temperatures being reported by the plurality of sensors. In some instances, the weighted combination is a weighted average of two or more of the current temperatures being reported by the plurality of sensors. The controller 118 may repeatedly receive, via the input 116, updated current temperatures from each of the plurality of sensors, and the controller 118 may be configured to utilize the updated current temperatures to produce an updated control temperature.
The controller 118 may track which of the different spaces (such as the building spaces 102, 104, 106, 108 of
In some cases, separate temperature and occupancy sensors may be provided in each space. In other cases, at least some of the plurality of sensors may not only report the current temperature but may also include an occupancy sensor to report an indication of occupancy to the HVAC controller 110. In some particular instances, each of the plurality of sensors may include a motion sensor, and thus each of the plurality of sensors may report an occupancy status in combination with a current temperature. As an illustrative example, the sensor 102a may provide an indication that the building space 102 is currently occupied. In some cases, the controller 118 may be configured to more heavily weight the current temperature reported by those of the plurality of sensors that are in currently occupied spaces relative to the current temperature reported by those of the plurality of sensors that are in currently unoccupied spaces.
In some cases, at least some of the plurality of sensors may include a priority ranking, and the controller 118 may be configured to weight the current temperatures reported by sensors of the plurality of sensors that are in currently occupied spaces in accordance with the priority ranking of those sensors. In some instances, the controller 118 may be configured to assign higher weights to the current temperatures reported by the sensors that have a higher priority ranking and to assign lower weights to the current temperatures reported by the sensors that have a lower priority ranking.
In some instances, the controller 118 may be operably coupled to the user interface 114, the sensor 120 (when provided) and the input 116. The sensor 120 may be a temperature sensor and/or an occupancy sensor. The controller 118 may be configured to control the HVAC system in accordance with a temperature set point and a control temperature in order to drive the control temperature towards the temperature set point. In some cases, to illustrate, the control temperature may be equal to the current temperature that is sensed by the sensor 120 when occupancy is not indicated in any of the spaces in which the one or more remote sensors are located. When occupancy is indicated, the control temperature may be equal to a blended value of the current temperature sensed by the sensor 120 and the current temperature provided by at least one of the remote sensors where occupancy is indicated in the space in which the particular sensor is located, and wherein the blended value is increasingly influenced by the current temperature provided by the at least one of the remote sensors with continued occupancy of the corresponding space.
In some cases, the controller 118 may limit, or cap, how far the blended value can deviate from the current temperature sensed by the sensor 120. The blended value may deviate further from the current temperature sensed by the sensor 120 with continued occupancy in the space in which the particular sensor is located up to the cap. In some cases, the cap may be user definable, and may be a set temperature delta, say 3 degrees, or 5 degrees, or 10 degrees. In some instances, the cap may instead be a particular percentage of the current temperature sensed by the sensor 120. For example, the cap may be determined as 5 percent, or perhaps 10 percent of the current temperature sensed by the sensor 120. If the current sensed temperature is 72 degrees, the cap may represent a departure of up to 3.6 degrees (5 percent) plus or minus, or even up to 7.2 degrees (10 percent) plus or minus from the current temperature sensed by the sensor 120. This is just an example.
In some instances, when at least some of the one or more remote sensors include a priority ranking, the blended value is influenced more going forward by the current temperature reported by a remote sensor that has a higher priority ranking and is in a currently occupied space than a remote sensor that has a lower priority ranking and is in a currently occupied space. In some cases, the blended value is a weighted average, and wherein a weight of the current temperature provided by at least one of the remote sensors is increased over time with continued occupancy in the space in which the particular sensor is located.
In some cases, the controller 118 may be configured to control an HVAC system servicing the space in order to drive the control temperature towards a temperature set point. The control temperature is influenced by the current temperature provided by at least one of the plurality of sensors where occupancy is indicated in the space in which the particular sensor is located, and wherein the control temperature is increasingly influenced over time with continued occupancy. In some cases, the controller 118 may be configured to track a relative priority rating for at least two of the plurality of sensors and to provide more weight to the current temperatures reported by those of the at least two of the plurality of sensors that have a higher relative priority rating and are in currently occupied spaces than those of the at least two of the plurality of sensors that have a lower relative priority rating and are in currently occupied spaces. In some cases, the controller 118 may be configured to provide less or no weight to the current temperatures reported by those of the plurality of sensors that are in currently unoccupied spaces.
For illustrative purposes, the timing chart 130 is divided into time periods A, B, C, D, E and F. During time period A, it can be seen that the remote sensor-1 is reporting occupancy for the space in which the remote sensor-1 is located. Because the remote sensor-1 is reporting a current temperature (75 degrees) higher than that detected by the thermostat itself (72 degrees), the control temperature indicated by the plotted line 134 increases over time, such as perhaps over 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or any other suitable time period, before reaching or approaching a cap of 73 degrees. During time period B, it can be seen that the remote sensor-1 is no longer reporting occupancy, as indicated within the region 140 of the timing chart 130. Accordingly, the control temperature indicated by the plotted line 134 decreases over time such as perhaps over 30 minutes, 60 minutes or any other suitable time period, before returning to, for example, a temperature where it matches the temperature (72 degrees) reported by the thermostat itself. During the time period C, it can be seen that the remote sensor-2 is now reporting occupancy. Because the remote sensor-2 is reporting a current temperature (70 degrees) that is lower than that detected by the thermostat itself (72 degrees), the control temperature indicated by the plotted line 134 decreases over time as shown.
At the start of the time period D, the remote sensor-1 and the remote sensor-2 are both reporting occupancy. Because in this example the remote sensor-1 is prioritized over the remote sensor-2, the control temperature indicated by the plotted line 134 increases over time, and eventually stabilizes at a temperature of 73 degrees (capped at 73 degrees in this example). At the start of the time period E, the remote sensor-2 continues to report occupancy while the remote sensor-2 does not. As a result, the control temperature indicated by the plotted line 134 decreases over time. At the end of the time period E, the remote sensor-2 is no longer reporting occupancy, so the control temperature indicated by the plotted line 134 returns to equal the temperature detected by the thermostat (indicated by the plotted line 132). A small blip in the control temperature can be seen during the time period F, as a result of a brief indication of occupancy by the remote sensor-2. This is a simple example, with only two remote sensors, and one sensor clearly having priority over the other sensor. It will be appreciated that an HVAC control system may have many more than two remote sensors, and that there may be a more complicated priority relationship between the multiple sensors. In some cases, the control temperature may not have a cap, and the controller 118 determines the control temperature merely using a weighted average of two or more different sensors. In some instances, the weighting may be a function of a relative priority assigned to one or more of the two or more different sensors. In some instances, the control temperature may also be capped.
Returning to
In some instances, each of the graphic constructs may identify one of the different spaces in the building structure, display a current temperature for that space and display a current occupancy status for that space. In some cases, at least some of the graphic constructs may include an indication of whether any of the different spaces in the building structure are currently calling for HVAC system activation, for example. In some instances, at least some of the graphic constructs also include an indication of which of the different spaces in the building structure have been designated as priority spaces, meaning that the current temperatures for those spaces are currently being used by the controller 118 in controlling the HVAC system.
The sensor priority screen also designates which of the graphic constructs correspond to each of the number of the plurality of sensors that are currently being used by the controller 118 in controlling the HVAC system. For example, in some instances, the controller 118 may highlight the graphic constructs to indicate which of the plurality of sensors are currently being used by the controller 118 in controlling the HVAC system. In some cases, at least some of the plurality of graphic constructs also include an indication of whether each of the different spaces are currently occupied. The controller 118 is configured to control the HVAC system in accordance with the current temperature reported by each of the number of the plurality of sensors that are currently being used by the controller 118 in controlling the HVAC system.
In some instances, at least some of the plurality of sensors provide an indication of occupancy to the HVAC controller 110, and the current temperatures reported by the plurality of sensors that correspond to the occupied spaces are used by the HVAC controller 110 in controlling the HVAC system. At least some of the different spaces in the building structure may be designated as priority spaces regardless of current occupancy status of the different spaces. In some cases, each of the plurality of graphic constructs include an alphanumeric description that identifies the corresponding space. The HVAC controller 110 may repeatedly receive updated current temperatures from the plurality of sensors and may be configured to refresh each graphic construct as updates are received.
In some cases, the controller 118 may be configured to display the plurality of graphic constructs on the user interface 114 in either of a first mode or a second mode, where the first mode and the second mode are user selectable via the user interface 114. In some cases, the user may be allowed to select which spaces are designated as selected spaces in the first mode (see
In some instances, and in the first mode, each graphic construct identifies one of the different spaces in the building structure and displays a current temperature reported by the corresponding sensor, and may also designate whether the corresponding space is currently selected for use by the controller 118 in controlling the HVAC system. In some instances, and in the second mode (see
The screen 141 includes a selectable display element 158 that includes an icon 160 that indicates whether the controller 118 is controlling the HVAC system in accordance with one or more remote sensors that have been indicated as having priority ranking (e.g. first mode), or in accordance with one or more sensors indicating that particular rooms are occupied (e.g. second mode). The selectable display element 158 also includes an icon 162 that indicates how many remote sensors are currently being relied upon in controlling the HVAC system. As illustrated in
Returning to
In this, it will be appreciated that the COOL temperature set point must be higher than the HEAT temperature set point. In many cases, there is a minimum temperature difference, referred to as a deadband, that is enforced between the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point. The deadband may be user-selectable and/or installer-selectable. In some instances, the deadband may be factory-programmable. In a particular example, the deadband may be 2 degrees or 3 degrees. It will be appreciated that if the system is in an AUTOCHANGEOVER mode, in which the controller 118 may be configured to automatically change between a HEAT mode and a COOL mode in accordance with a sensed temperature in the building structure, there can be difficulties if a user tries to adjust the HEAT temperature set point upwards too close to the COOL temperature set point, or if the user tries to adjust the COOL temperature set point downwards too close to the HEAT temperature set point.
The controller 118 is configured to display one or more screens on the user interface displaying the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point and allowing a user to change the HEAT temperature set point and/or the COOL temperature set point. The controller 118 is configured to enforce a minimum DEADBAND between the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point when the user adjusts one of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point towards the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point to an extent that would violate the minimum DEADBAND by automatically adjusting the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point from an original setting to maintain the minimum DEADBAND. When the user subsequently adjusts the one of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point back away from the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point after the controller 118 has adjusted the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point, the controller 118 may also adjust the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point back in order to maintain the minimum DEADBAND until the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point reaches its original setting.
In some cases, the controller 118 is configured to display a HEAT temperature set point icon that includes a numeric representation of the HEAT temperature set point and a COOL temperature set point icon that includes a numeric representation of the COOL temperature set point. In response to the user selecting one of the HEAT temperature set point icon and the COOL temperature set point icon, the controller 118 may display the selected temperature set point and an UP arrow and a DOWN arrow (or a rotary dial or knob, slider button, etc.) that can be used to raise or lower the selected temperature set point. In some instances, the controller 118 is configured to display the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point on a graphical representation of a relationship between the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point (see, for example,
In some instances, the user must subsequently adjust the one of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point back away from the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point within a predetermined time window after the controller 118 has adjusted the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point in order for the controller 118 to also re-adjust the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point back in order to maintain the minimum DEADBAND until the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point reaches its original setting. This can be considered a re-adjustment time out feature.
In some cases, and as optionally indicated at block 208, a user input is received that adjusts an original COOL temperature set point to a lower COOL temperature set point value that would begin violating the minimum DEADBAND between the adjusted COOL temperature set point and an original HEAT temperature set point. As indicated at block 210 and while the adjusted COOL temperature set point remains below the lower COOL temperature set point value, the original HEAT temperature set point is automatically adjusted to track the adjusted COOL temperature set point in order to maintain the minimum DEADBAND between the adjusted COOL temperature set point and the adjusted HEAT temperature set point. When the adjusted COOL temperature set point is adjusted back up to or above the lower COOL temperature set point value, and as indicated at block 212, the adjusted HEAT temperature set point is returned to the original HEAT temperature set point and ceases to track the adjusted COOL temperature set point.
In some cases, and as optionally indicated at block 216, a HEAT temperature set point icon may be displayed that includes a numeric representation of the HEAT temperature set point. In response to a user selecting the HEAT temperature set point icon, and as indicated at block 218, the HEAT temperature set point and one or more adjustment icons may be displayed that can be used to raise or lower the HEAT temperature set point.
In some cases, and as optionally indicated at block 222, the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point may be displayed on a graphical representation of a relationship between the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point. As indicated at block 224, the graphical representation may be updated as the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point are adjusted.
In some cases, and as optionally indicated at block 228, the method includes timing how long the adjusted HEAT temperature set point remains above the higher HEAT temperature set point value. After a predetermined period of no user adjustments to the HEAT temperature set point while the adjusted HEAT temperature set point remains above the higher HEAT temperature set point value, and as indicated at block 230, the method includes ceasing to track the adjusted COOL temperature set point with the adjusted HEAT temperature set point when the adjusted HEAT temperature set point is adjusted back down below the higher HEAT temperature set point value.
As seen in
As seen in
However, if the user selects the down arrow 250, as indicated, the controller 118 will display a screen 270 as shown in
In some cases, the second group of the leaf menus includes a leaf menu for changing a system mode of the HVAC controller 280. In some instances, the second group of the leaf menus includes a leaf menu for changing a fan mode of the HVAC controller 280. The second group of the leaf menus may include a leaf menu for changing a sensor priority of the HVAC controller 280. The second group of the leaf menus may include a leaf menu for changing a humidity setting of the HVAC controller 280. In some cases, the second group of the leaf menus includes a leaf menu for changing a ventilation setting of the HVAC controller 280.
In some cases, at least some of the second group of leaf menus include a first icon that the user can select to indicate the user is done with the leaf menu, and in response to the user selecting the first icon, the controller 286 reverts back to the HOME screen as well as a second icon that the user can select to indicate the user is done with the leaf menu, and in response to the user selecting the second icon, the controller 286 reverts to a MENU screen just below the HOME screen in the hierarchical menu structure.
The first group of the leaf menus may include a leaf menu for changing one or more system management parameters, wherein the one or more system management parameters include one or more of device and sensor settings, thermostat information settings, equipment status settings, dehumidification away mode settings, and dealer information. In some cases, the first group of the leaf menus may include a leaf menu for changing one or more system configuration parameters, wherein the one or more system configuration parameters include one or more of security settings, preferences and installer options. At least some of the first group of the leaf menus may include a BACK icon for navigating to a next higher menu in the hierarchical menu structure. In some cases, at least some of the first group of the leaf menus includes an icon that the user can select to indicate the user is done with the leaf menu, and in response to the user selecting the icon, the controller 286 reverts to a MENU screen just below the HOME screen in the hierarchical menu structure.
In some cases, the HOME Screen includes a MENU icon. In response to the user selecting the MENU icon, the controller 286 is configured to display a MENU screen on the user interface 284, the MENU screen may include a plurality of items that can be selected by the user in order to change one or more settings pertaining to the selected item, where the controller 286 uses the one or more settings in controlling one or more features of the HVAC system. In some cases, the one or more settings pertain to one or more of mode settings, fan settings, priority settings, schedule settings, weather settings, humidification settings, dehumidification settings and ventilation settings.
In response to the user selecting an item on the MENU screen, the controller 286 is configured to display one or more sub-menu screens on the user interface 284 that solicit the user to enter and/or change one or more settings that pertain to the selected item. When the user has indicated that they have completed entering and/or changing the one or more settings that pertain to the selected item, typically on a leaf menu in the hierarchical menu structure, the controller 286 is configured to revert to displaying the HOME screen, which is at the top of the hierarchical menu structure. In some cases, the user indicates that they have completed entering and/or changing the one or more settings that pertain to the selected item by selecting an icon such as a DONE icon that is displayed on the one or more menu screens. When the user decides not to enter or change any of the one or more settings that pertain to the selected item, the user can instruct the controller 286 to revert to the MENU screen, such as by selecting a RETURN icon. Alternatively, after the user has entered and/or changed the one or more settings that pertain to the selected item, and the user has selected the RETURN icon, the controller 286 is configured to revert to the MENU screen. In some cases, in response to the user selecting at least one other item on the MENU screen, the controller 286 is configured to display one or more menu screens on the user interface 284 that solicit the user to enter and/or change one or more settings that pertain to the selected item, where the one or more menu screens do not include a DONE icon that would revert directly to the HOME screen.
In one example, selecting the menu button 156 will cause the HVAC controller 110 (
Returning to
Returning to
In some cases, a weather forecast predicting future weather at the location of the building may be received, as noted at block 354. As seen at block 356, a cost estimate for energy that will be supplied to the HVAC system is received. In some cases, the cost estimate for energy (e.g. cost of natural gas, cost of electricity, etc.) that is supplied to the HVAC system is provided by a utility, sometimes throughout a day. In some cases, the cost estimate for energy that is supplied to the HVAC system is entered by the user. In some cases, the cost estimate for energy that is supplied to the HVAC system may include a cost forecast predicting future energy costs over a future period of time.
In some cases, a desired budget for the cost of operating the HVAC system over a future period of time may be received from the user, as indicated at block 358. An HVAC schedule covering the future period of time that is predicted to meet the desired budget of the user may be generated using the thermal model, the weather forecast, the cost estimate for energy and the desired budget of the user, as noted at block 360. The HVAC system may then be controlled using the generated HVAC schedule, as indicated at block 362. In some cases, generating the HVAC schedule covering the future period of time includes defining temperature set points for one or more of the two or more time periods of the HVAC schedule. In some instances, generating the HVAC schedule covering the future period of time includes defining a beginning and/or an ending time for one or more of the two or more time periods of the HVAC schedule. In some cases, generating the HVAC schedule covering the future period of time includes adding and/or eliminating time periods of the HVAC schedule. Generating the HVAC schedule covering the future period of time may include defining a ventilation setting and/or a humidity setting for one or more of the two or more time periods of the HVAC schedule. These are just examples.
In some cases, a weather forecast predicting future weather at the location of the building may be received, wherein the weather forecast includes the outdoor temperature at the location of the building. In some instances, the comfort temperature set point and the conditions based setback temperature are part of a programmed HVAC schedule that includes at least one comfort time period that uses the comfort temperature set point and at least one energy saving time period that uses the conditions based setback temperature. The HVAC controller, using the thermal model, the outdoor temperature, and the cost estimate for energy, may adjust a beginning and/or an ending time of one or more of the at least one energy saving time period, and may set the conditions based setback temperature for each energy saving time period.
In some cases, the thermal model for each of the buildings 384, 386, 388, 390 may be based on indoor temperature readings received via the HVAC controller of the HVAC system 384a, 386a, 388a, 390a, on/off times of the HVAC system 384a, 386a, 388a, 390a of the corresponding building, and/or outdoor temperature conditions at the corresponding building. In some instances, the thermal model for a particular one of the plurality of buildings 384, 386, 388, 390 may be based on information received from at least one other of the plurality of buildings 384, 386, 388, 390. The server 382 may also receive from each of the buildings 384, 386, 388, 390 one or more equipment and/or configuration settings for the corresponding HVAC system 384a, 386a, 388a, 390a, one or more user settings for the corresponding HVAC system 384a, 386a, 388a, 390a, and/or one or more recorded user interactions for the corresponding HVAC system 384a, 386a, 388a, 390a.
While the trim ring 408 is not required for function of the thermostat 406, the trim ring 408 does provide part of the design aesthetic of the thermostat assembly 400 as well as functioning as a cover plate that helps to cover blemishes on a wall to which the thermostat assembly 400 will be mounted. As will be discussed, the trim ring 408 may also help to both accommodate and hide from view the adaptor plate 402 and the wall mountable connector 404, when present. In some cases, the adaptor plate 402 may be configured to be secured to an in-wall junction box, although this is not required. In some cases, the trim ring 408 may be considered as appropriate for use with the thermostat 406 when the wall mountable connector 404 is secured to the adaptor plate 402, rather than having the wall mountable connector 404 secured directly to a wall or other vertical mounting surface without the adaptor plate 402.
The thermostat 406 includes a user interface 410 such as, but not limited to, a touch screen display and a thermostat housing 412. As shown in
The trim ring 408 has a front side 422 and a back side 424. The back side 424 is configured to face a mounting wall (not illustrated) and the front side 422 is configured to receive at least part of the back portion 418 of the thermostat housing 412. The trim ring 408 includes an outer surface 426 that transitions from a larger back side profile to a smaller front side profile. In some instances, the front portion 414 of the thermostat housing 412 has a profile adjacent the trim ring 408, and the profile of the front side 422 of the trim ring 408 may be configured to match the profile of the front portion 414 of the thermostat housing 412 adjacent the trim ring 408.
As can be seen in
As seen in
In the example shown, an aperture 440 extends through the back wall 436 of the thermostat recess 428 in order to accommodate the wall mountable connector 404. It will be appreciated that the aperture 440 may have a shape that accommodates or corresponds to that of the wall mountable connector 404, such that the trim ring 408 may be secured to the adaptor plate 402 after the wall mountable connector 404 has been secured to the adaptor plate 402. The illustrative wall mountable connector 404 has a first side 442 for facing the wall and a second, opposing, side 444. The wall mountable connector 404 is configured to be secured to the adaptor plate 402. While not expressly visible, the wall mountable connector 404 includes a field wiring connection block that is configured to provide an electrical connection to a plurality of field wires, and a thermostat terminal block that is configured to provide an electrical connection to the thermostat 406.
As noted, the adaptor plate 402 may be configured to be secured to an in-wall junction box, and the wall mountable connector 404 may be configured to be secured to the adaptor plate 402. In some cases, the trim ring 408 may be configured to be secured to the adaptor plate 402. With reference to
In some cases, the back portion 418 of the thermostat housing 412 includes trim ring mounting features 484 that are disposed along the back portion side wall 420 that are configured to releasable engage corresponding mounting features 486 formed as part of the trim ring 482 (see
The trim ring 482 is configured to be secured to the thermostat 406, which is itself secured to the wall mountable connector 404 via electrical and mechanical connections therebetween. In some cases, the aperture or recess 488 is configured to accommodate the back portion 418 of the thermostat housing 412. In some instances, the aperture or recess 488 has a depth that is about equal to a depth of the back portion 418 of the thermostat housing 412. In some cases, as shown, the aperture or recess 488 extends through the trim ring 482 from the back side 494 to the front side 496. In this example, the trim ring 482 does not interfere with mounting the thermostat 406 to the wall mountable connector 404.
This can be seen in
In some cases, the field wires 526 are directly coupled to the HVAC controller 524. In some instances, the HVAC controller 524 may be coupled to a wall mountable connector 528 (such as but not limited to the wall mountable connector 404), and the field wires 526 are coupled to the wall mountable connector 528. The wall mountable connector 528 provides electrical connections between each of the field wires 526 and electrical connectors forming part of the HVAC controller 524. In either case, there may be a desire to know if a field wire 526 is connected, either directly or indirectly, with a particular electrical input on the HVAC controller 524. As will be appreciated, the HVAC controller 524 may be configured to utilize knowledge of which field wires 526 are coupled to which particular electrical inputs on the HVAC controller 525 to gain knowledge of details of the HVAC system 522, thereby improving functionality and/or performance of the HVAC controller 524 in operating the HVAC system 522.
In the example shown, a double pole relay 536 includes two input terminals 538 and 540 and two output terminals 542 and 544. In some cases, the double pole relay 536 is a double pole, single throw relay, but this is not required in all cases. In the example shown, the two input terminals 538 and 540 are operably coupled to a power source 546, such as an “R” field wire. As illustrated, the output terminal 542 is operably coupled to the first input terminal 532 and the output terminal 544 is operably coupled to the second input terminal 534. The double pole relay 536 includes an open state where the output terminals 542, 544 are disconnected from the two input terminals 538, 540 and thus the power source 546, and a closed state where the output terminals 542, 544 are connected to the power source 546 via the two input terminals 538, 540.
The HVAC controller 524 may include control circuitry 548 that is operably coupled to the temperature sensor 530 and the double pole relay 536. The control circuitry 548 is configured to change the double pole relay 536 between the open state and the closed state based at least in part on a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 530 in order to control operation of at least part of the HVAC system 522. In some instances, as illustrated, the control circuitry 548 further includes a first wire sensing circuit 550 that is operably coupled with the first input terminal 532, wherein when the double pole relay 536 is the open state, the first wire sensing circuit 550 is configured to electrically detect when the first field wire 526 is electrically coupled with the first input terminal 532. The control circuitry 548 may further include a second wire sensing circuit 552 that is operably coupled with the second input terminal 534, wherein when the double pole relay 536 is the open state, the second wire sensing circuit 552 is configured to electrically detect when the second field wire 526 is electrically coupled with the second input terminal 534.
In some cases, the first wire sensing circuit 550 is configured to electrically detect when the first field wire 526 is electrically coupled with the first input terminal 532 independently of whether the second field wire 526 is electrically coupled with the second input terminal 534. The second wire sensing circuit 552 may be configured to electrically detect when the second field wire 526 is electrically coupled with the second input terminal 534 independently of whether the first field wire 526 is electrically coupled with the first input terminal 532. In some cases, when the double pole relay 536 is in the open state, the first and second wire sensing circuits 550, 552 are configured to determine when only the first field wire 526 is electrically coupled to the first input terminal 532, only the second field wire 526 is electrically coupled to the second input terminal 534, both the first field wire 526 and the second field wire 526 are electrically coupled to the first input terminal 532 and the second input terminal 534, respectively, and neither the first field wire 526 or the second field wire 526 are electrically coupled to the first input terminal 532 and the second input terminal 534, respectively.
As noted above, in some cases, the first input terminal 532 corresponds to an O/B input terminal. The second input terminal 534 may, in some instances, correspond to a W input terminal. In some cases, the power source 546 may be an R input terminal and may be operably coupled to the two input terminals 538, 540 of the double pole relay 536. In such cases, when the double pole relay 536 is closed, the R input terminal 546 is electrically coupled with the O/B input terminal 532 and the W input terminal 534 through the double pole relay 536. The HVAC controller 524 may include additional input terminals, such as but not limited to one or more of a Y input terminal, a G input terminal, a C input terminal, an RC input terminal, a Y1 input terminal, a Y2 input terminal, a W1 input terminal, a W2 input terminal, a U1 input terminal and a U2 input terminal.
In some cases, and with reference to
In some cases, the control circuitry 548 may be considered as including a wire detection circuit 560 that includes the first wire sensing circuit 550 and the second wire sensing circuit 552. In some cases, the wire detection circuit 560 may be distinct from the control circuitry 548, which may be considered as being a controller. When the first input terminal 532 is an O/B input terminal and the second input terminal 534 is a W input terminal, the wire detection circuit 560 is configured to inform the controller (or control circuitry 548) that the HVAC system 522 includes a heat pump when it is electrically detected that an O/B wire is electrically coupled with the O/B input terminal and the W field wire is not electrically coupled with the W input terminal. The wire detection circuit 560 is configured to inform the control circuitry 548 that the HVAC system 522 has a conventional heat stage when it is electrically detected that a W field wire is electrically coupled with the W input terminal and an O/B wire is not electrically coupled with the O/B input terminal. The HVAC system 522 may be informed that there is a wiring error when it is electrically detected that the W field wire is electrically coupled with the W input terminal and the O/B wire is electrically coupled with the O/B input terminal, or that there is no W field wire electrically coupled with the W input terminal and there is no O/B wire electrically coupled with the O/B input terminal.
In some cases, the controller 580 may be configured to provide a dynamic timeout response to an indication of motion and thus an indication of occupancy. When so provided, the controller 580 may be configured to set a motion count value to an initial value (e.g. zero) and to wait to receive an indication of motion from the motion sensor 574. An indication of motion may be received from the motion sensor 574. In response, the controller 580 may transmit an indication of occupancy via the transmitter 576, increment a motion count value and update a length of a dynamic time period based on the incremented motion count value. Once the indication of motion is no-longer indicated by the motion sensor 574, the controller 580 may start the dynamic time period. If another indication of motion is received from the motion sensor 574 before the dynamic time period expires, the controller 580 may increment the motion count value, update the length of the dynamic time period based on the incremented motion count value, and restart the dynamic time period. If another indication of motion is not received from the motion sensor 574 before the dynamic time period expires, the controller 580 may transmit an indication of un-occupancy after the dynamic time period expires, reset the motion count value to the initial value, update the length of the dynamic time period based on the reset motion count value, and return to wait to receive an indication of motion from the motion sensor 574.
In some cases, the controller 580 may increase the length of the dynamic time period when the incremented motion count value exceeds one or more thresholds. The controller 580 may be configured to set the length of the dynamic time period to a first length when the motion count value is below a low motion count threshold, to set the length of the dynamic time period to a second length longer than the first length when the motion count value is above the low motion count threshold but below a high motion count threshold, and to set the length of the dynamic time period to a third length longer than the second length when the motion count value is above the high motion count threshold. As an illustrative but non-limiting example, the first length may be less than about 20 minutes, the second length may be less than about 40 minutes and the third length may be less than about 90 minutes. Rather than using predefined thresholds, the controller 580 may simply store a relationship (e.g. formula or table) between a motion count value and a dynamic time period. The relationship may be linear, non-linear, stepped, and/or define any other relationship. These are just examples. In some cases, the indication of occupancy transmitted by the controller 580 is a logical value of TRUE and the indication of un-occupancy transmitted by the controller 580 is a logical value of FALSE, but this is not required.
In some cases, the controller 580 is disposed within the housing 596 and is operably coupled with the motion sensor 574 and the transceiver 598. The controller 580 may be configured to receive via the transceiver 598 a sensitivity parameter and/or a manual timeout adjustment parameter. In some cases, for example, a sensitivity parameter may increase or decrease a sensitivity of the motion sensor 574. A user may desire to increase the sensitivity of the motion sensor 574 if the motion sensor 574 only sometimes detects when a particular individual walks into or through a room in which the wireless occupancy sensor assembly 590 is located. Conversely, a user may desire to decrease the sensitivity of the motion sensor 574 if the motion sensor 574 is providing false positives, such as if the motion sensor 574 is frequently indicating occupancy as a result of detecting movement of a window treatment in response to air passing through an open window, for example. In some instances, a user may wish to increase or decrease a timeout value that indicates how long the motion sensor 574 will report occupancy in response to detecting motion. If the wireless occupancy sensor assembly 590 is in a location where users frequently walk past, but do not stay in the room, they may wish to decrease the timeout value. If the wireless occupancy sensor assembly 590 is in a location where users congregate, but do not move frequently (such as when watching television), they may wish to increase the timeout value. These are just examples.
A measure may be determined that is related to a number of subsequent sensed indications of motion in the building space during the occupied time period, as indicated at block 606. The length of the occupied time period may be selectively adjusted based on the measure related to the number of subsequent sensed indications of motion in the building space during the occupied time period, as indicated at block 608.
In some instances, an HVAC system that services the building space may be controlled in accordance with the indication of occupancy, as optionally indicated at block 610. In some cases, the method 600 includes controlling the HVAC system that services the building space with a comfort set point when the building space is indicated as being occupied and controlling the HVAC system that services the building space with an energy saving set point when the building space is not indicated as being occupied, as noted at block 612. In some cases, the method 600 includes selectively adjusting a time from a last sensed indication of occupancy/motion in the building space until an end of the occupied time period based on the measure related to the number of subsequent sensed indications of motion in the building space during the occupied time period.
The illustrative wireless occupancy sensor 620 includes a wireless transceiver 628 that is housed by the sensor body 622 and that is configured to be in wireless communication with a remote device 630. The remote device 630 may be any of a portable handheld remote device, a smart phone, a building control device, a wall mountable thermostat, a zone damper controller and/or any other suitable device. In some cases, the wireless transceiver 628 may be configured to be in wireless communication with a plurality of remote devices 630. A controller 632 is housed by the sensor body 622 and is operably coupled to the occupancy sensor 624, the light source 626 and the wireless transceiver 628. The controller 632 may be configured to receive via the wireless transceiver 628 a request to illuminate the light source 626 from the remote device 630, and in response to receiving the request, the controller 632 may illuminate the light source 626 (such as an LED) in order to help visually identify the wireless occupancy sensor 620 in the building space. In some cases, the wireless occupancy sensor 620 includes a CONNECT button 634 that may be used in pairing the wireless occupancy sensor 620 with another device. When pressed, the CONNECT button 634 may place the wireless occupancy sensor 620 in an enroll mode to enroll the wireless occupancy sensor 620 in a wireless building control network.
In some cases, the illustrative wireless occupancy sensor 620 may include a temperature sensor 636 that is operably coupled to the controller 632, and may include a power supply 638. When so provided, the controller 632 may be configured to repeatedly report a current temperature that is reported by the temperature sensor 636 to the remote device 630 and/or some other remote device (e.g. a building controller) via the wireless transceiver 628. The controller 632 may also repeatedly make a determination of whether a particular building space is occupied or not, and may report the determined occupancy status of the building space to the remote device 630 and/or some other remote device via the wireless transceiver 628.
In some cases, the request to illuminate the light source 626 may be made after the wireless occupancy sensor 620 has been enrolled in a wireless building control network, and the request is made by a building controller connected to the wireless building control network. In some instances, the request to illuminate the light source 626 may include an address that specifically identifies the wireless occupancy sensor 620 from one or more other wireless devices on the wireless building control network. In some cases, the request to illuminate the light source 626 may be user initiated to help identify the wireless occupancy sensor 620 from other devices on the wireless building control network. These are just examples. In some cases, the controller 632 may monitor remaining energy within the power supply 638. In some instances, the request to illuminate the light source 626 may include a request for the light source 626 to be illuminated in one of several different colors.
The sensor body 622 defines an aperture 650 on a front side of the sensor body 622. The aperture 650 exposes the occupancy sensor 624 and the light source 626. The lens 648, which in some cases may be a Fresnel lens, is situated in line with the aperture 650 to hide the occupancy sensor 624 and the light source 626. The lens 648 may be at least partially transparent to visible light. In some cases, the lens 648 may be formed of polyethylene such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). In some cases, the occupancy sensor 624 and the light source 626 are disposed on a printed circuit board 652, a portion of which is visible in
As will be discussed, the illustrative wall plate 711 is configured to permit several different mounting techniques for securing the wall plate 711 relative to the wall or other vertical mounting surface. The illustrative wall plate 711 is configured to permit an installer to mount the wall plate 711 to the wall or other vertical mounting surface using multiple techniques. If desired, the installer may use a screw or other threaded fastener to secure the wall plate 711 by extending the screw or other threaded fastener through an aperture 720 that extends through the wall plate 711. In some cases, the aperture 720 may be centrally located within the wall plate 711, but this is not required. Alternatively, the installer may use an releasable adhesive strip, as will be discussed.
As can be seen, the back housing region 706 of the wireless sensor assembly 700 defines a recess 710 that is configured to receive at least a portion of the wall plate 711. In some instances, the recess 710 may be considered as including a primary recess 712 for receiving at least part of the wall plate 711 when the back housing region 706 is releasably secured to the wall plate 711, and a secondary recess 714 that is contiguous with the primary recess 712. The secondary recess 714 is configured to accommodate a release tab 718 of a releasable adhesive strip 716 (e.g. 3M COMMAND Strip) extending past a periphery of the wall plate 711, such that the back housing region 706 hides the release tab of the releasable adhesive strip from view when the back housing region 706 is secured to the wall plate 711. As will be appreciated, the release tab 718 will fit into the secondary recess 714 when the wireless sensor assembly 700 is secured to the wall plate 711.
In the example shown, the recess 710 includes mounting slots 722 that accommodate corresponding tabs 724 that extend outwardly from either side of the wall plate 711. In some cases, as illustrated, the wall plate 711 includes an elongate slot 726 on either side of the wall plate 711, spaced inward of each of the tabs 724, to allow the tabs 724 to flex inward when securing the back housing region 706 to the wall plate 711 and/or when removing the back housing region 706 from the wall plate 711. In some cases, the wall plate 711 includes finger nail recesses 728 formed on upper and lower edges of the wall plate 711 to facilitate removal of the wall plate 711 from the back housing region 706 when the wall plate 711 is inadvertently secured to the back housing region 706 before the wall plate 711 is secured to the wall or other vertical mounting surface. In some cases, the wall plate 711 may include a flat upper edge 730 that is configured to accommodate placement of a level thereon when mounting the wall plate 711 to the wall or other vertical mounting surface.
In some cases, the wall plate 711 has an overall width of less than about 1 inch, an overall height of less than about 2 inches and an overall thickness of less than about one third of an inch. The wall plate 711 has a raised outer perimeter 732 that extends around the wall plate 711. As visible in
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure may be manifested in a variety of forms other than the specific embodiments described and contemplated herein. Accordingly, departure in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as described in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method for automatically generating an HVAC schedule for a building, wherein the HVAC schedule includes two or more time periods, wherein each time period includes a temperature set point, the method comprising:
- storing a thermal model for the building, the thermal model including an indication of the energy efficiency of an HVAC system of the building;
- receiving a weather forecast predicting future weather at the location of the building;
- receiving a cost estimate for energy that will be supplied to the HVAC system;
- receiving from a user a desired budget for a cost of operating the HVAC system over a future period of time;
- using the thermal model, the weather forecast, the cost estimate for energy and the desired budget of the user to generate an HVAC schedule covering the future period of time that is predicted to meet the desired budget of the user; and
- controlling the HVAC system using the generated HVAC schedule.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the HVAC schedule covering the future period of time includes defining temperature set points for one or more of the two or more time periods of the HVAC schedule.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein generating the HVAC schedule covering the future period of time includes defining a beginning and/or an ending time for one or more of the two or more time periods of the HVAC schedule.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the HVAC schedule covering the future period of time includes adding and/or eliminating time periods of the HVAC schedule.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the HVAC schedule covering the future period of time includes defining a ventilation setting and/or a humidity setting for one or more of the two or more time periods of the HVAC schedule.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the cost estimate for energy that is supplied to the HVAC system is provided by a utility.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the cost estimate for energy that is supplied to the HVAC system includes a cost forecast predicting future energy costs over the future period of time.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermal model is tailored to the building, and is based at least in part on a historical performance of the HVAC system.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of the energy efficiency of the HVAC system in the building is entered by a user.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of the energy efficiency of the HVAC system in the building is generated based on a historical performance of the HVAC system.
11. A method for generating a conditions based setback temperature, the method comprising:
- storing a thermal model for a building, the thermal model including an indication of the energy efficiency of the HVAC system in the building;
- receiving an outdoor temperature at the location of the building;
- receiving a cost estimate for energy that will be supplied to the HVAC system;
- using the thermal model, the outdoor temperature, and the cost estimate for energy to generate a conditions based setback temperature; and
- controlling the HVAC system using a comfort temperature set point when comfort is desired in the building and using the conditions based setback temperature when energy saving is desired.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the conditions based setback temperature changes during a period of time when energy savings is desired.
13. The method of claim 11, comprising receiving a weather forecast predicting future weather at the location of the building, wherein the weather forecast includes the outdoor temperature at the location of the building.
14. The method of claim 11, comprising using the thermal model, the outdoor temperature, and the cost estimate for energy to generate the comfort temperature set point.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the comfort temperature set point and the conditions based setback temperature are part of a programmed HVAC schedule that includes at least one comfort time period that uses the comfort temperature set point and at least one energy saving time period that uses the conditions based setback temperature, wherein the method comprises using the thermal model, the outdoor temperature, and the cost estimate for energy to adjust a beginning and/or an ending time of one or more of the at least one energy saving time period.
16. A server configured to:
- generate a thermal model for a building, the thermal model including an indication of the energy efficiency of an HVAC system of the building;
- receive an outdoor temperature at the location of the building;
- receive a cost estimate for energy that will be supplied to the HVAC system;
- using the thermal model, the outdoor temperature, and the cost estimate for energy to generate a conditions based setback temperature for the HVAC system of the building; and
- sending the conditions based setback temperature to an HVAC controller of the HVAC system of the building.
17. The server of claim 16, configured to:
- generate a thermal model for each of a plurality of buildings, each of the thermal models including an indication of the energy efficiency of an HVAC system in the corresponding building;
- receive a weather forecast predicting future weather at the location of each of the plurality of buildings;
- receive a cost estimate for energy that will be supplied to the HVAC system of each of the plurality of buildings;
- for each of the plurality of buildings, use the thermal model, the outdoor temperature, and the cost estimate for energy associated with a corresponding building to generate a conditions based setback temperature for the HVAC system of the corresponding building; and
- for each of the plurality of buildings, send the corresponding conditions based setback temperature to an HVAC controller of the HVAC system of the corresponding building.
18. The server of claim 17, wherein the thermal model for each of the plurality of buildings is based on indoor temperature readings received via the HVAC controller of the HVAC system, on/off times of the HVAC system of the corresponding building, outdoor temperature conditions at the corresponding building.
19. The server of claim 17, wherein the thermal model for a particular one of the plurality of buildings is based on information received from at least one other of the plurality of buildings.
20. The server of claim 17, further comprising receiving from each of the plurality of buildings:
- one or more equipment settings for the corresponding HVAC system;
- one or more user settings for the corresponding HVAC system; and
- one or more recorded user interactions for the corresponding HVAC system.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 10, 2018
Publication Date: Apr 16, 2020
Inventors: CHRISTOPHER HEINTZELMAN (Plymouth, MN), NATHANIEL D. KRAFT (Minnetonka, MN), WENDY FOSLIEN (Woodbury, MN)
Application Number: 16/156,744