Stand-alone thermostat

• US 6,347,747 B1
• Filed: 01/27/2000
• Issued: 02/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intellinet (Intellinet Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Intellinet (Intellinet Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nesbitt, Bryce
• Primary Examiner(s): WAYNER, WILLIAM E
• Application Number:
  US09/492,952
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 236/78.R, 236/DIG.19, 236/46.R, 307/208, 337/380, 361/694, 374/208
• US Class Current: 236/78.00D
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/022 Suction thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 236/19 Ventilated thermostat

Abstract

A stand-alone thermostat that mounts flush to a wall and obtains improved accuracy in ambient temperature measurement by actively intaking air from the room interior. An internal temperature measurement chamber communicates between air inlet and outlet. A heat generator located within the temperature measurement chamber causes thermal convection, the convection generating an air flow thus drawing ambient room air into the measurement chamber, across a temperature sensor, and out the outlet air opening. This feature assures that the temperature of room interior air is accurately measured.

Claims

1. A thermostat, comprising:

a low-profile thermostat housing configured for flush mounting onto a wall surface;

a front cover of the thermostat housing;

at least a first opening in the front cover of the thermostat housing, the first opening enabling ambient air to enter the housing;

at least a second opening in the front cover of the thermostat housing, the second opening enabling air to exit the housing;

a first temperature measurement chamber extending from the first opening;

a second temperature measurement chamber extending from the second opening;

a circuit board mounted in the thermostat housing;

an elastomeric pad comprising a front surface and a back surface mounted between the front cover and the circuit board, wherein the first temperature measurement chamber and the second temperature measurement chamber are defined at least in part by the elastomeric pad and a front surface of the circuit board;

a connecting air chamber within the thermostat housing, the connecting air chamber communicating with the first temperature measurement chamber and the second temperature measurement chamber;

a temperature sensing element in the first temperature measurement chamber and thermally insulated at least in part by the elastomeric pad; and

a heat generating element in the second temperature measurement chamber to create convective air flow causing an air flow into the first opening, across the temperature sensing element, and out the second opening.

2. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric pad includes a front key surface.

3. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric pad includes a back gasket surface.

4. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the thermostat housing includes a back frame.

5. The thermostat of claim 4, wherein the front cover and elastomeric pad are assembled to the circuit board.

6. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the first opening is situated in a lower part of the front cover.

7. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the second opening is situated in an upper part of the front cover.

8. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is affixed to the back frame.

9. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the circuit board includes a thermally insulating material.

10. The thermostat of claim 4, wherein the back frame is designed for flush mounting on a wall.

11. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the heat generating element is mounted on the circuit board.

12. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensing element is mounted on the circuit board.

13. A method for providing ambient temperature measurement using a flush mounted thermostat, the thermostat comprising:

a housing, the housing having a front cover wherein the front cover has a first air opening and a second air opening;

an elastomeric key pad comprising a first key surface and a second gasket surface, a first key pad air opening and a second key pad air opening;

a circuit board comprised of insulating material;

a back frame;

a temperature sensing element;

a heat generating element;

a first temperature measurement chamber, a second temperature measurement chamber, comprising the steps of;

configuring the thermostat to have a low profile;

positioning the key pad between the front cover and the circuit board;

configuring the thermostat for flush mounting onto a wall surface;

defining the first and second temperature measurement chambers whereby the chambers are bounded at least in part by the circuit board and the key pad, the key pad thermally insulating at least in part the first and second temperature measurement chambers;

configuring the heat generating element within the thermostat to produce heat;

configuring the thermostat to impart movement to air within the thermostat as a result of the heat generated by the heat generating element;

providing a channel for the flow of ambient air into the thermostat via an air inlet opening as a result of the convective air movement within the thermostat;

providing a channel for the flow of ambient air across the temperature sensing element positioned within the thermostat;

providing an air exit opening to exhaust the ambient air; and

configuring the temperature sensing element to measure the temperature of the ambient air.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of:

positioning the circuit board between the key pad and the back frame.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of:

fastening the circuit board to the back frame.

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of:

aligning the first key pad air opening with the first air opening of the front cover.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of:

aligning the second key pad air opening with the second air opening of the front cover.

18. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of:

positioning the first air opening on the front cover below the second air opening on the front cover.

19. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of:

assembling the front cover, elastomeric key pad, circuit board, and back frame into a single unit.

20. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of:

mounting the back frame to the wall surface.

21. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of:

configuring the first temperature measurement chamber to include the temperature sensing unit.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of:

aligning the first temperature measurement chamber with the first air opening on the front cover.

23. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of:

configuring the second temperature measurement chamber to include the heat generating unit.

24. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of:

positioning the heat generating unit above the temperature sensing unit.