HVAC controller with checkout utility

• US 10,101,053 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2018
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Hoglund, Steven R., Schwendinger, Paul G., Huang, Jian, Arneson, David, Paine, Brad, Liu, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): Norman, Marc
• Application Number:
  US15/887,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20180163986A1
• Time in Patent Office: 256 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/50 characterised by user interfaces or communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/65 for selecting an operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/80 for controlling the temperature of the supplied air
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A zone control panel for controlling a zoned HVAC system that includes two or more zones, an HVAC unit for delivering conditioned air to the two or more zones, two or more zone dampers for controlling delivery of conditioned air to the two or more zones, and a thermostat in each of the two or more zones, the zone control panel comprising:

a first set of two or more wiring terminals adjacent a first side of the zone control panel, each of the first set of two or more wiring terminals providing a connection point for a corresponding wire from a first thermostat;

a second set of two or more wiring terminals separate from the first set of two or more wiring terminals and adjacent a second side of the zone control panel opposite the first side with an intervening region between the first side and the second side of the zone control panel and extending between the first set of two or more wiring terminals and the second set of two or more wiring terminals, each of the second set of two or more wiring terminals providing a connection point for a corresponding wire from a second thermostat;

an output for providing control signals to the HVAC unit and to each of the two or more zone dampers, wherein the output includes two or more wiring terminals, wherein each of the two or more wiring terminals of the output provide a connection point for a corresponding wire from the HVAC unit or one of the two or more zone dampers;

a user interface, the user interface comprising;

a display;

a plurality of HVAC status lights spaced from the display, wherein the plurality of HVAC status lights comprise;

a zone status light for each of two or more zone dampers of the zoned HVAC system;

a heat status light indicating an operational status of a heating component of the HVAC unit;

a cool status light indicating an operational status of a cooling component of the HVAC unit;

a fan status light indicating an operational status of a fan of the HVAC unit;

wherein at least one of the plurality of HVAC status lights is positioned in the intervening region;

a removable cover that, when secured, hides the display;

a controller operatively coupled to the first set of two or more wiring terminals, the second set of two or more wiring terminals, the output and the user interface, the controller configured to receive calls from the first thermostat and calls from the second thermostat, and in response, provide control signals to the HVAC unit and to the two or more zone dampers via the output;

the controller including a checkout mode, wherein once in the checkout mode, the controller is programmed with a plurality of checkout tests; and

wherein one of the plurality of checkout tests includes a fan checkout test where the controller provides one or more control signals to the HVAC unit that turns on the fan of the HVAC unit without turning on the heating component or the cooling component, and also changes the fan status light of the user interface to show an operational status of ON.

2. The zone control panel of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of checkout tests comprises a heat checkout test where the controller provides one or more control signals to the HVAC unit that turns on the heating component of the HVAC unit, and also changes the heat status light of the user interface to show an operational status of ON.

3. The zone control panel of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of checkout tests comprises a cool checkout test where the controller provides one or more control signals to the HVAC unit that turns on the cooling component of the HVAC unit, and also changes the cool status light of the user interface to show an operational status of ON.

4. The zone control panel of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of checkout tests comprises a first damper checkout test where the controller provides one or more control signals to CLOSE the first zone damper of the two or more zone dampers, and also changes the zone status light that corresponds to the first zone damper of the two or more zone dampers to show that the first zone damper is in a CLOSED position.

5. The zone control panel of claim 4, wherein one of the plurality of checkout tests comprises a second damper checkout test wherein the controller provides one or more control signals to CLOSE the second zone damper of the two or more zone dampers, and also changes the zone status light that corresponds to the second zone damper of the two or more zone dampers to show that the second zone damper is in a CLOSED position.

6. A zone control panel for controlling a zoned HVAC system that includes two or more zones, an HVAC unit for delivering conditioned air to the two or more zones, two or more zone dampers for controlling delivery of conditioned air to the two or more zones, and a thermostat in each of the two or more zones, the zone control panel comprising:

a first set of two or more wiring terminals adjacent a first side of the zone control panel, the first set of two or more wiring terminals providing a connection for wires connected to a first thermostat;

a second set of two or more wiring terminals adjacent a second side of the zone control panel opposite the first side, with a central region between the first set of two or more wiring terminals and the second set of two or more wiring terminals, the second set of two or more wiring terminals providing a connection for wires connected to a second thermostat;

a third set of two or more wiring terminals, adjacent the second side of the zone control panel, the third set of two or more wiring terminals providing a connection for wires connected to a third thermostat;

an output for providing control signals to the HVAC unit and to each of the two or more zone dampers, wherein the output includes two or more wiring terminals, wherein each of the two or more wiring terminals of the output provide a connection point for a corresponding wire from the HVAC unit or one of the two or more zone dampers;

a user interface comprising;

a display;

a plurality of HVAC status lights spaced from the display, wherein the plurality of HVAC status lights comprise;

a zone status light for each of two or more HVAC zones of the zoned HVAC system;

a heat status light indicating an operational status of a heating component of the HVAC unit;

a cool status light indicating an operational status of a cooling component of the HVAC unit;

a fan status light indicating an operational status of a fan of the HVAC unit;

wherein at least one of the plurality of HVAC status lights is positioned in the central region;

a controller operatively coupled to the first set of two or more wiring terminals, the second set of two or more wiring terminals, the third set of two or more wiring terminals, the output and the user interface, the controller configured to receive calls from the first thermostat, calls from the second thermostat, and calls from the third thermostat, and in response, provide control signals to the HVAC unit and to the two or more zone dampers via the output;

the controller including a checkout mode, wherein once in the checkout mode, the controller is programmed with a plurality of checkout tests;

wherein one of the plurality of checkout tests includes a heat checkout test where the controller provides one or more control signals that turns on the heating component of the HVAC unit, and also changes the heat status light of the user interface to show an operational status of ON; and

wherein another one of the plurality of checkout tests includes a fan checkout test where the controller provides one or more control signals that turns on the fan of the HVAC unit without turning on the heating component or the cooling component, and also changes the fan status light of the user interface to show an operational status of ON.

7. The zone control panel of claim 6, wherein another one of the plurality of checkout tests includes a first damper checkout test where the controller provides one or more control signals to CLOSE the first zone damper of the two or more zone dampers, and changes the zone status light that corresponds to the first zone damper of the two or more zone dampers to show that the first zone damper is in a CLOSED position.

8. A zone control panel for controlling a zoned HVAC system that includes two or more zones, an HVAC unit for delivering conditioned air to the two or more zones, two or more zone dampers for controlling delivery of conditioned air to the two or more zones, and a thermostat in each of the two or more zones, the zone control panel comprising:

a first set of two or more wiring terminals adjacent a first side of the zone control panel, the first set of two or more wiring terminals providing a connection for wires connected to a first thermostat;

a second set of two or more wiring terminals adjacent a second side of the zone control panel opposite the first side with an intervening region between the first side and the second side of the zone control panel and extending between the first set of two or more wiring terminals and the second set of two or more wiring terminals, the second set of two or more wiring terminals providing a connection for wires connected to a second thermostat;

a third set of two or more wiring terminals, the third set of two or more wiring terminals providing a connection for wires connected to a third thermostat;

a discharge air temperature sensor input for receiving a signal from a discharge air temperature sensor;

an outdoor air temperature sensor input for receiving a signal from an outdoor air temperature sensor;

an output for providing control signals to the HVAC unit and to each of the two or more zone dampers, wherein the output includes two or more wiring terminals, wherein each of the two or more wiring terminals of the output provide a connection point for a corresponding wire from the HVAC unit or one of the two or more zone dampers;

a user interface comprising;

a display;

a plurality of buttons each spaced from the display, including;

a next button;

a first adjustment button;

a second adjustment button;

a plurality of HVAC status lights spaced from the display, wherein the plurality of HVAC status lights comprise;

a zone status light for each of two or more HVAC zones of the zoned HVAC system;

a heat status light indicating an operational status of a heating component of the HVAC unit;

a cool status light indicating an operational status of a cooling component of the HVAC unit;

a fan status light indicating an operational status of a fan of the HVAC unit;

wherein at least one of the plurality of HVAC status lights is positioned in the intervening region;

a controller operatively coupled to the first set of two or more wiring terminals, the second set of two or more wiring terminals, the third set of two or more wiring terminals, the discharge air temperature sensor input, the outdoor air temperature sensor input, the output and the user interface, the controller configured to receive calls from the first thermostat, calls from the second thermostat, calls from the third thermostat, and sensed temperature values from the discharge air temperature sensor and the outdoor air temperature sensor input, and in response, provide control signals to the HVAC unit and to the two or more zone dampers via the output;

the controller including a checkout mode, wherein once in the checkout mode, the controller is programmed with a plurality of checkout tests;

wherein one of the plurality of checkout tests includes a fan checkout test where the controller provides one or more control signals that turns the fan of the HVAC unit ON, and also configures the fan status light of the user interface to show an operational status of ON.

9. The zone control panel of claim 8, wherein another one of the plurality of checkout tests includes a heat checkout test where the controller provides one or more control signals that turns on the heating component of the HVAC unit and also changes the heat status light of the user interface to show an operational status of ON.

10. A zone control panel for controlling a zoned HVAC system that includes two or more zones, an HVAC unit for delivering conditioned air to the two or more zones, two or more zone dampers for controlling delivery of conditioned air to the two or more zones, and a thermostat in each of the two or more zones, the zone control panel comprising:

a first set of two or more wiring terminals adjacent a first side of the zone control panel, each of the first set of two or more wiring terminals providing a connection point for a corresponding wire from a first thermostat;

a second set of two or more wiring terminals adjacent a second side of the zone control panel opposite the first side, with an intervening region between the first side and the second side of the zone control panel and extending between the first set of two or more wiring terminals and the second set of two or more wiring terminals, each of the second set of two or more wiring terminals providing a connection point for a corresponding wire from a second thermostat;

a third set of two or more wiring terminals, adjacent the second side of the zone control panel, each of the third set of two or more wiring terminals providing a connection point for a corresponding wire from a third thermostat;

an output for providing control signals to the HVAC unit and to each of the two or more zone dampers, wherein the output includes two or more wiring terminals, wherein each of the two or more wiring terminals of the output provide a connection point for a corresponding wire from the HVAC unit or one of the two or more zone dampers;

a user interface comprising;

a display;

a plurality of buttons each spaced from the display, including;

a next button;

a first adjustment button;

a second adjustment button;

a plurality of HVAC status lights spaced from the display, wherein the plurality of HVAC status lights comprise;

a zone status light for each of two or more HVAC zones of the zoned HVAC system;

a heat status light indicating an operational status of a heating component of the HVAC unit;

a cool status light indicating an operational status of a cooling component of the HVAC unit;

a fan status light indicating an operational status of a fan of the HVAC unit;

wherein at least one of the plurality of HVAC status lights is positioned in the intervening region;

a controller operatively coupled to the first set of two or more wiring terminals, the second set of two or more wiring terminals, the third set of two or more wiring terminals, the output and the user interface, the controller configured to receive calls from the first thermostat, calls from the second thermostat, and calls from the third thermostat, and in response, provide control signals to the HVAC unit and to the two or more zone dampers via the output;

the controller including a checkout mode, wherein once in the checkout mode, the controller is programmed to display a sequence of two or more checkout screens arranged along a single level without hierarchical sub-levels, wherein the next button is available to navigate forward to a next checkout screen in the sequence of checkout screens; and

the controller including a configuration mode, wherein once in the configuration mode, the controller is programmed to display a sequence of configuration screens, wherein the first adjustment button and second adjustment button are available to adjust a configuration setting of the zone control panel that is displayed on a displayed configuration screen, and the next button is available to navigate forward to a next configuration screen.

11. The zone control panel of claim 10, further comprising a removable cover that, when attached, hides the display, the next button, the first adjustment button, and the second adjustment button.

12. The zone control panel of claim 11, wherein the removable cover, when attached, is secured via a snap connection.

13. The zone control panel of claim 10, wherein in the checkout mode, the controller is programmed to display a fixed sequence of two or more checkout screens arranged along a single level without hierarchical sub-levels from a first checkout screen to a last checkout screen, wherein the next button is available to navigate forward to a next checkout screen in the fixed sequence of checkout screens.

14. The zone control panel of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to skip and not display one or more of the fixed sequence of checkout screens between the first checkout screen and the last checkout screen when corresponding HVAC equipment is not present in the zoned HVAC system.

15. The zone control panel of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to skip and not display one or more of the fixed sequence of checkout screens between the first checkout screen and the last checkout screen when a particular configuration setting has a predetermined configuration value.

16. The zone control panel of claim 10, wherein in the configuration mode, the controller is programmed to display a fixed sequence of two or more configuration screens arranged along a single level without hierarchical sub-levels, wherein the next button is available to navigate forward to a next configuration screen in the fixed sequence of configuration screens.

17. The zone control panel of claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to skip and not display one or more of the fixed sequence of two or more configuration screens when a particular configuration setting has a predetermined configuration value.

18. The zone control panel of claim 10, wherein in the checkout mode, a heat checkout test of one of the displayed checkout screens causes the controller to provide one or more control signals that turns on the heating component of the HVAC unit.

19. The zone control panel of claim 18, wherein the heat checkout test also causes the controller to change the heat status light of the user interface to show an operational status of ON.

20. The zone control panel of claim 18, wherein the heat checkout test of one of the displayed checkout screens comprises a stage-1 heat checkout test that causes the controller to provide one or more control signals that turns on a stage-1 of the heating component.

21. The zone control panel of claim 10, wherein in the checkout mode, a cool checkout test of one of the displayed checkout screens causes the controller to provide one or more control signals that turns on the cooling component of the HVAC unit.

22. The zone control panel of claim 21, wherein the cool checkout test also causes the controller to change the cool status light of the user interface to show an operational status of ON.

23. The zone control panel of claim 21, wherein the cool checkout test of one of the displayed checkout screens comprises a stage-1 cool checkout test that causes the controller to provide one or more control signals that turns on a stage-1 of the cooling component.

24. The zone control panel of claim 10, wherein the HVAC unit comprises an emergency heating component, and wherein in the checkout mode, an emergency heat checkout test of one of the displayed checkout screens causes the controller to provide one or more control signals that turns on the emergency heating component.

25. The zone control panel of claim 10, wherein in the checkout mode, a fan checkout test of one of the displayed checkout screens causes the controller to provide one or more control signals that turns on the fan of the HVAC unit without turning on the heating component or the cooling component.

26. The zone control panel of claim 25, wherein the fan checkout test also causes the controller to change the fan status light of the user interface to show an operational status of ON.

27. The zone control panel of claim 10, wherein in the checkout mode, a first damper checkout test of one of the displayed checkout screens causes the controller to provide one or more control signals that change the open/close state of a first zone damper of the two or more zone dampers.

28. The zone control panel of claim 27, wherein the first damper checkout test also causes the controller to change the zone status light of the user interface that corresponds to the first zone damper to show the changed open/close state of the first zone damper.

29. The zone control panel of claim 27, wherein in the checkout mode, a second damper checkout test of one of the displayed checkout screens causes the controller to provide one or more control signals that change the open/close state of a second zone damper of the two or more zone dampers.

30. The zone control panel of claim 29, wherein:

the first damper checkout test causes the controller to change the zone status light of the user interface that corresponds to the first zone damper to show an operational status of CLOSED; and

the second damper checkout test causes the controller to change the zone status light of the user interface that corresponds to the second zone damper to show an operational status of CLOSED.