APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE RELEASABLY CONNECTABLE TO THE SUB BASE OF A THERMOSTAT

• US 20040113748A1
• Filed: 08/28/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Carey, Steven L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,888,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 337/327
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/5866 characterised by the use of a plug and socket connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 37/043 Mountings on controlled apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling the operation of a HVAC system, where the apparatus is adapted to be releasably connectable to a thermostat sub-base assembly connected to an HVAC system. The apparatus is configured to be releasably connectable to the connector pins in a manner such that the apparatus may be slid onto the sub-base and easily removed without any disconnection of wiring. After completion of all construction, the apparatus may be removed and saved for future use, and a new digital thermostat may then be slid onto the connector pins of the sub-base.

Claims

1. An apparatus adapted to be connected to a thermostat sub-base assembly in connection with an HVAC system, the apparatus comprising:

a connector configured to be releasably connectable to the sub-base assembly; and

a temperature-actuated switching means for mechanically switching power supplied from a first connection on the sub-base to a second connection on the sub-base so as to enable heating operation of the HVAC system when the switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature below a predetermined temperature.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing that covers the connector and connection to the sub-base assembly so as to prevent damage or entry of unwanted materials.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a second temperature actuated switching means for mechanically switching power supplied from a third connection on the sub-base to a fourth connection and fifth connection on the sub-base so as to enable cooling operation of the HVAC system when the second switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature above a second predetermined temperature.

4. An apparatus adapted to be connected to a thermostat sub-base assembly having a plurality of connector pins in connection with an HVAC system, the apparatus comprising:

a connector configured to be releasably connectable to the connector pins on the sub-base assembly; and

a temperature-actuated switching means for mechanically switching power supplied from a first connector pin on the sub-base to a second connector pin on the sub-base so as to enable heating operation of the HVAC system when the switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature below a predetermined temperature.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a housing that covers the connector and connector pins of the sub-base assembly so as to prevent damage or entry of unwanted materials.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a second temperature actuated switching means for mechanically switching power supplied from a third connector pin on the sub-base to a fourth connector pin and fifth connector pin on the sub-base so as to enable cooling operation of the HVAC system when the second switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature above a second predetermined temperature.

7. An apparatus adapted to be connected to a thermostat sub-base assembly having a plurality of connector pins associated with a plurality of terminals for connecting to an HVAC system, the apparatus comprising:

a connector configured to be releasably connectable to the connector pins on the sub-base assembly; and

a temperature-actuated switching means for mechanically switching power supplied from a first connector pin on the sub-base to a second connector pin on the sub-base so as to enable heating operation of the HVAC system when the switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature below a non-adjustable predetermined temperature.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a housing that covers the connector and connector pins of the sub-base assembly so as to prevent damage or entry of unwanted materials.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a second temperature actuated switching means for mechanically switching power supplied from a third connector pin on the sub-base to a fourth connector pin and fifth connector pin on the sub-base so as to enable cooling operation of the HVAC system when the second switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature above a second non-adjustable predetermined temperature.

10. An apparatus in combination with a thermostat sub-base assembly having a plurality of connector pins associated with a plurality of terminals for connecting to an HVAC system, the apparatus comprising:

a connector configured to be releasably connectable to the connector pins on the sub-base assembly;

a temperature-actuated switching means for mechanically switching power supplied from a first connector pin on the sub-base to a second connector pin on the sub-base so as to enable heating operation of the HVAC system when the switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature below a non-adjustable predetermined temperature; and

a housing that covers the connector and connection pins of the sub-base assembly so as to prevent damage or entry of unwanted materials.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a second temperature actuated switching means for mechanically switching power supplied from a third connector pin on the sub-base to a fourth connector pin and fifth connector pin on the sub-base so as to enable cooling operation of the HVAC system when the second switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature above a second non-adjustable predetermined temperature.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus provides control of an HVAC system independent of a battery or external power source.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the sub-base comprises eight connector pins and the connector is a socket connector configured to be releasably connectable to the eight connector pins.