Building control unit method and controls
First Claim
1. A device for controlling an energy consuming system comprising:
- a bottom member;
a switch;
a top member; and
a motion guiding member that operationally couples the top member with the bottom member such that the top member is inwardly pressable and pivotable relative to the bottom member to allow the device to receive input from a user by contacting the switch with a component of the top member or the bottom member;
wherein the switch is positioned near a central axis of the top member and the motion guiding member comprises a plurality of stop members that engage with corresponding components of the bottom member near an outer periphery of the bottom member to enable the top member to pivot relative to the bottom member, wherein pivoting of the top member involves three contact points including (1) a pivot point defined by engagement of a first stop member and a first component of the bottom member, (2) an inwardly directed force applied to the top member by the user generally opposite the pivot point, and (3) a mechanical engagement of the switch and the component of the top member or the bottom member, said switch being leverably forced inward responsive to the pivoting of the top member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide thermostat controls having improved tactile feedback. According to one embodiment, a thermostat includes a bottom member, a switch, a top member, and a motion guiding member or assembly that operationally couples the top member with the bottom member so that the top member is inwardly pressable by a user relative to the bottom member to allow the thermostat to receive input from the user by contacting the switch with a component of the top member or the bottom member. The motion guiding member or assembly contacts the top member near its outer periphery to control the inward motion of the top member relative to the bottom member to provide the improved tactile feedback.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A device for controlling an energy consuming system comprising:
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a bottom member; a switch; a top member; and a motion guiding member that operationally couples the top member with the bottom member such that the top member is inwardly pressable and pivotable relative to the bottom member to allow the device to receive input from a user by contacting the switch with a component of the top member or the bottom member; wherein the switch is positioned near a central axis of the top member and the motion guiding member comprises a plurality of stop members that engage with corresponding components of the bottom member near an outer periphery of the bottom member to enable the top member to pivot relative to the bottom member, wherein pivoting of the top member involves three contact points including (1) a pivot point defined by engagement of a first stop member and a first component of the bottom member, (2) an inwardly directed force applied to the top member by the user generally opposite the pivot point, and (3) a mechanical engagement of the switch and the component of the top member or the bottom member, said switch being leverably forced inward responsive to the pivoting of the top member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A device for controlling an energy consuming system comprising:
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a bottom member; a switch; a top member; and a motion guiding member that operationally couples the top member with the bottom member such that the top member is inwardly pressable and pivotable relative to the bottom member to allow the device to receive input from a user by contacting the switch with a component of the top member or the bottom member; wherein the switch is positioned near a central axis of the top member and the motion guiding member comprises a plurality of stop members that engage with flanges of the top member near an outer periphery of the top bottom member to enable the top member to pivot relative to the bottom member, wherein pivoting of the top member involves three contact points including (1) a pivot point defined by engagement of a first stop member and a first flange of the top member, (2) an inwardly directed force applied to the top member by the user generally opposite the pivot point, and (3) a mechanical engagement of the switch and the component of the top member or the bottom member. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification