THERMOSTAT WIRING CONNECTOR

• US 20120126020A1
• Filed: 02/24/2011
• Published: 05/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nest Labs Incorporated (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: FADELL, Anthony Michael, FILSON, John Benjamin, WARREN, Daniel Adam, YU, Sheng-Nan
• Granted Patent: US 9,494,332 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/1.C
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• 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 11/32 Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/39 Monitoring filter performance
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/89 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/20 Feedback from users
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/40 Noise
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/00 Control inputs relating to system states
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 : Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/0265 : the criterion being a learning criterion
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/19 : characterised by the use of electric means G05D23/1393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 : characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 : using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/2416 : Means for guiding or retaining wires or cables connected to terminal blocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 : Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 : Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 : Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A thermostat and related methods is provided for controlling an HVAC system. The thermostat includes wiring terminals adapted and configured to make an electrical connection with an HVAC system wires such as common, heating and cooling control and return wires. The making of the connection with a common wire actuates switching open a loop of an electrical circuit used for power harvesting. According to some embodiments, the wiring terminal includes actuation of a moveable part of the terminal so as to accommodate the common wire that in turn actuates the switching open the power harvesting loop. More than one other loop can be switched. According to some embodiments, the wiring terminal can be used to automatically connect and/or disconnect Rc and Rh circuits when one or both Rc and Rh wires are present. According to some embodiments, the wiring terminal can be used for electronically sensing the presence of the HVAC system wire.

Claims

1. A thermostat for controlling HVAC systems comprising a wiring terminal adapted and configured to make an electrical connection with an HVAC system conductive wire wherein the making of the connection with the HVAC system wire actuates switching in a loop of an electrical circuit that does not include the HVAC system conductive wire.

2. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the loop enables power harvesting and the making of the connection opens the loop.

3. A thermostat according to claim 2 wherein the loop includes an HVAC wire for a controlling at least part of a cooling system.

4. A thermostat according to claim 2 wherein the loop includes an HVAC wire for controlling at least part of a heating system.

5. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the HVAC system wire is a common wire.

6. A thermostat according to claim 5 wherein the loop includes an HVAC wire for controlling at least part of a heating and/or cooling system and the making of the connection with the common wire switches open the loop.

7. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the HVAC system wire is a wire for controlling at least part of a cooling or heating system.

8. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the HVAC system wire is an Rc and/or Rh wire.

9. A thermostat according to claim 8 wherein the loop is switched open so as to disconnect Rc or Rh wires in cases where both Rc and Rh wires are present.

10. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the loop is used to detect the presence of the HVAC system wire.

11. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the wiring terminal includes actuation of a moveable portion of the terminal so as to accommodate the HVAC system wire and wherein the actuation of the moveable portion actuates the switching of the loop.

12. A thermostat according to claim 1 further comprising a second and third wiring terminals adapted and configured to make an electrical connection to further HVAC system conductive wires.

13. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the making of the connection with the HVAC system wire actuates switching in a second loop of a second electrical circuit that does not include the HVAC system conductive wire.

14. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the thermostat is primarily designed for controlling residential HVAC systems.

15. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the thermostat is primarily designed for controlling light commercial HVAC systems.

16. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the thermostat is primarily designed for controlling HVAC systems having a cooling capacity of less than about five tones.

17. A method of installing a thermostat in an HVAC system comprising:

connecting an HVAC system conductive wire to a terminal in the thermostat; and

in response to the connecting, automatically actuating switching in a loop of an electrical circuit that does not include the HVAC system conductive wire.

18. A thermostat according to claim 17 wherein the loop enables power harvesting and the making of the connection opens the loop.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the loop includes an HVAC wire for a controlling at least part of a cooling system.

20. A method according to claim 18 wherein the loop includes an HVAC wire for controlling at least part of a heating system.

21. A method according to claim 17 wherein the HVAC system wire is a common wire.

22. A method according to claim 17 wherein the HVAC system wire is an Rc and/or Rh wire.

23. A method according to claim 17 wherein the loop is used to detect the presence of the HVAC system wire.

24. A method according to claim 17 wherein the connecting includes actuating a moveable portion of the terminal so as to accommodate the HVAC system wire and wherein the actuating of the moveable portion actuates the switching of the loop.

25. A method according to claim 17 further comprising in response to the connecting, automatically actuating switching in a second loop of a second electrical circuit that does not include the HVAC system conductive wire.

26. A method according to claim 17 wherein the thermostat is primarily designed for controlling residential HVAC systems.

27. A method according to claim 17 wherein the thermostat is primarily designed for controlling HVAC systems having a cooling capacity of less than about five tones.

28. A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system comprising a wiring terminal adapted and configured to make an electrical connection with an HVAC system conductive wire wherein the connection of the HVAC system wire causes a switching open of a loop of an electrical circuit that does not include the HVAC system conductive wire, wherein the loop is usable for harvesting power for the thermostat.

29. A thermostat according to claim 28 wherein the HVAC system wire is a common wire.

30. A thermostat according to claim 28 wherein the making of the connection with the HVAC system wire causes a switching open of a second loop of a second electrical circuit that does not include the HVAC system conductive wire and is useable for harvesting power for the thermostat.

31. A wiring terminal for connecting to a conductive wire, the terminal comprising an opening to accept the conductor by actuating a moveable portion of the terminal so as to accommodate the conductive wire, wherein the actuating of the moveable portion actuates switching a loop of an electrical circuit that does not include the conductive wire.

32. A wiring terminal according to claim 31 wherein the terminal forms part of a control system for controlling an HVAC system.