Antenna for a building controller
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of mounting an antenna to a printed circuit board, the method comprising:
- providing a printed circuit board that has one or more solder pads;
providing an antenna, the antenna having two end feet portions and a generally u-shaped intermediate portion between the two end feet portions, wherein the generally u-shaped intermediate portion is configured to be spaced from the printed circuit board with free space extending between at least a majority of the intermediate portion and the printed circuit board, further wherein the generally u-shaped intermediate portion includes at least one intermediate foot portion that extends down toward the printed circuit board to be secured to the printed circuit board; and
soldering at least one of the two end feet portions and the intermediate foot portion of the antenna to one or more solder pads of the printed circuit board.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to building controllers, and more particularly, to antennas for providing wireless communication capabilities in such building controllers. Methods and systems for automated surface mounting of such antennas are also contemplated and disclosed.
54 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of mounting an antenna to a printed circuit board, the method comprising:
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providing a printed circuit board that has one or more solder pads; providing an antenna, the antenna having two end feet portions and a generally u-shaped intermediate portion between the two end feet portions, wherein the generally u-shaped intermediate portion is configured to be spaced from the printed circuit board with free space extending between at least a majority of the intermediate portion and the printed circuit board, further wherein the generally u-shaped intermediate portion includes at least one intermediate foot portion that extends down toward the printed circuit board to be secured to the printed circuit board; and soldering at least one of the two end feet portions and the intermediate foot portion of the antenna to one or more solder pads of the printed circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A building controller for controlling the HVAC system of a building, comprising:
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a printed circuit board; one or more controllers mounted to the printed circuit board, the one or more controllers including a wireless interface, and a control module for controlling the comfort level of at least a portion of the building by activating and deactivating one or more HVAC components of the HVAC system; and a first antenna and a second antenna, each of the first antenna and second antenna including a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, wherein the first end includes a first foot portion mounted to the printed circuit board, the second end includes a second foot portion mounted to the printed circuit board, the intermediate portion includes a first portion that extends from the first foot portion and generally away from the printed circuit board and a second portion that extends from the second foot portion and generally away from the printed circuit board, and wherein at least a portion of the intermediate portion that extends between the first portion and the second portion has a conductive core and is spaced from the printed circuit board by free space along a majority of the intermediate portion that extends between the first portion and the second portion, and wherein the intermediate portion includes at least one intermediate foot portion that extends down toward the printed circuit board to be secured to the printed circuit board; wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are electrically coupled to the wireless interface for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals; and wherein the first antenna and the second antenna each have a long dimension, and the first antenna and the second antenna are mounted to the printed circuit board such that their long dimensions are substantially perpendicular. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A portable remote control unit for wirelessly communicating with a wall mountable electronic thermostat, comprising:
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a printed circuit board; a temperature sensor mounted to the printed circuit board; one or more controllers mounted to the printed circuit board, the one or more controllers including a wireless interface; and an antenna including a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, wherein the first end includes a first foot portion mounted to the printed circuit board, the second end includes a second foot portion mounted to the printed circuit board, and the intermediate portion includes a conductive core that extends from the first foot portion to the second foot portion and has a generally u-shaped region, wherein a majority of the generally u-shaped region of the intermediate portion is spaced from the printed circuit board by free space but includes at least one intermediate foot portion that extends down toward the printed circuit board to be secured to the printed circuit board; wherein the antenna is electrically coupled to the wireless interface for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals with the wall mountable electronic thermostat.
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Specification