CN116981889A - Room unit for HVAC system and method for exchanging data between mobile device and room unit or HVAC system - Google Patents

Room unit for HVAC system and method for exchanging data between mobile device and room unit or HVAC system Download PDF

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Publication number
CN116981889A
CN116981889A CN202280020929.3A CN202280020929A CN116981889A CN 116981889 A CN116981889 A CN 116981889A CN 202280020929 A CN202280020929 A CN 202280020929A CN 116981889 A CN116981889 A CN 116981889A
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CN
China
Prior art keywords
room unit
mobile device
hvac system
controller
room
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
CN202280020929.3A
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Inventor
C·艾博纳
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Belimo Holding AG
Original Assignee
Belimo Holding AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Belimo Holding AG filed Critical Belimo Holding AG
Publication of CN116981889A publication Critical patent/CN116981889A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
    • F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
    • F24F11/52—Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
    • F24F11/52—Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
    • F24F11/523—Indication arrangements, e.g. displays for displaying temperature data
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
    • F24F11/56—Remote control
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
    • F24F11/56—Remote control
    • F24F11/58—Remote control using Internet communication
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
    • F24F11/56—Remote control
    • F24F11/59—Remote control for presetting
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
    • F24F11/63—Electronic processing
    • F24F11/65—Electronic processing for selecting an operating mode
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
    • F24F11/63—Electronic processing
    • F24F11/64—Electronic processing using pre-stored data

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fuzzy Systems (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)

Abstract

A room unit for an HVAC system includes an electrical connection device and a controller that connect equipment to the HVAC system. The room unit also includes a short-range wireless communication module that allows wireless communication with the mobile device to exchange data between the mobile device and the HVAC system, or vice versa. Furthermore, the present application relates to a method for exchanging data between a mobile device and an HVAC system or vice versa using the disclosed room unit. In addition, a method for configuring a room unit according to the application is disclosed.

Description

Room unit for HVAC system and method for exchanging data between mobile device and room unit or HVAC system
Technical Field
The present application relates to a room unit for an HVAC system including a short-range wireless communication module for establishing a short-range communication connection with a mobile device. Furthermore, the application relates to a method for exchanging data between a mobile device and a room unit or HVAC system, and vice versa.
Background
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are used in many public buildings, such as schools, shops, etc., industrial buildings, office buildings, and private homes. Such systems typically include a room unit in each room of the building that allows values such as, for example, room temperature, ventilation intensity, etc., to be set by a user for each room. Room units typically include sensors that measure certain air parameters in the room, such as ambient temperature, in order to provide the parameters to a central controller of the HVAC system. The room unit may further include a screen displaying information about the set values and the measured parameters.
A disadvantage of the room units known in the art is that, due to the small size of the room units, there is only a limited space for displaying information or feature buttons etc., so that only a limited number of values can be set and only some parameters can be displayed. Furthermore, the operating parameters of the HVAC system as well as the measured values of the ambient air may be read by anyone passing through the room unit, and even the operating parameters of the HVAC system may be changed by anyone accessing the room unit.
Disclosure of Invention
The object of the present application is to create a room unit belonging to the initially mentioned technical field, which allows easy setting of a large number of values and which can query a large number of data sets of the HVAC system as well as of the room unit itself. Furthermore, it should be possible to configure the room units in as flexible a manner as possible.
The solution of the application is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the present application, a room unit for an HVAC system includes an electrical connection device that connects the room unit to the HVAC system and a controller. The room unit also includes a short-range wireless communication module that allows wireless communication with the mobile device for exchanging data between the mobile device and the room unit, and vice versa.
The room unit of the present application may exchange data between a mobile device, such as a tablet computer or smart phone, and the room unit. The controller may thus rely on data from the mobile device to the HVAC system and vice versa. Thus, a large amount of data of the HVAC system, such as operating parameters and the like, as well as parameters of the room unit or measurements of sensors of the room unit, may be displayed on a display of the mobile device. Furthermore, since a larger and more versatile input means of the mobile device may be used, a larger set of values may be set on the mobile device in an easier way and subsequently sent via the room unit to the HVAC system or to the room unit itself. Furthermore, via the mobile device, different modes of operation of the room unit can also be set, and software updates can be uploaded into the room unit in a highly flexible manner. Furthermore, user rights for accessing different functions of the room unit can be easily implemented and configured.
As should be understood in the present application, a room unit is a device placed in a room of a building having an HVAC system to provide data to the HVAC system, in particular in dependence of a value to the HVAC system set by a user on the room unit and/or in dependence of a current air parameter to the HVAC system measured in the room. The HVAC system then changes its operating parameters to match the settings of the particular room.
As will be appreciated herein, a mobile device is a portable electronic device such as a tablet computer, smart phone, portable Digital Assistant (PDA), smart watch, or portable computer, e.g., a laptop computer. In order to be able to connect to a room unit, the mobile device must include a wireless communication module that uses the same frequency band and data transmission protocol as the short-range wireless communication module of the room unit. Furthermore, the mobile device preferably has to run software that is able to communicate with the controller of the room unit. Such software may be provided by the manufacturer of the room unit. Such software may be in the form of a program or app application that may be installed and run on a mobile device.
The room unit preferably comprises a housing, for example made of a polymer material. Furthermore, the room unit preferably comprises means for mounting the room unit to a wall. These means may for example be in the form of screw holes or the like.
Preferably, the connection means is a data cable allowing data to be transmitted between the room unit and the HVAC system and vice versa. Alternatively, the connection means may also be a wireless communication module, such as a WiFi or bluetooth module, which may enable wireless exchange of data between the room unit and the HVAC system, and vice versa.
Preferably, the room unit comprises a power source, such as a cable, primary or secondary battery, etc. If the connection means is a data cable, the data cable may preferably also supply power from the HVAC system to the room unit.
The controller preferably comprises a microcontroller or microprocessor and at least one non-erasable memory. The controller is connected to the connection device and the wireless communication module and is configured to transmit data to and receive data from the HVAC system and the mobile device via the connection device and the short-range wireless communication module, respectively. Further, the controller may be configured to rely on data between the HVAC system and the mobile device, and vice versa.
In the present application, a short-range wireless communication module is a module that can wirelessly transmit data over a distance of up to 30 meters, however, preferably, it can be less than 10 meters, more preferably, less than 1 meter, even more preferably, less than 50cm, even more preferably, less than 10cm. Most preferably, the short-range wireless communication module can wirelessly transmit data over a distance of less than 5 cm.
Preferably, the room unit comprises at least one status indicator, for example in the form of an LED, for displaying the status of the room unit and/or HVAC system.
Preferably, the short-range wireless communication module is a near field communication module and/or a bluetooth low energy communication module. An advantage of the near field communication module is that the transfer of data is only possible for mobile devices that are very close to the room unit. This increases security because data can only be exchanged with the user's mobile device, which can physically access the room unit and thus be in the room. This precludes data exchanges with mobile devices of people who cannot enter a room or building because these mobile devices are outside the range for data exchanges.
The use of a near field communication module also has the advantage that certain parameters can be exchanged from the mobile device into the room unit when the room unit is powered down by active-passive transmission, e.g. configuration parameters are written into a new room unit before installation or connection to the HVAC system.
Preferably, the room unit comprises at least one sensor to measure at least one parameter of the ambient air, wherein the controller is configured to transmit said at least one parameter into the mobile device and/or the HVAC system.
The at least one parameter is preferably temperature, humidity, CO 2 Concentration, concentration of volatile organic compounds and/or dust concentration, especially one of PM 2.5 alveolar dust.
The value of the measured at least one parameter may be provided to the HVAC system by the at least one sensor. The HVAC system may then use the measured value of the at least one parameter to change its operating value to affect the at least one measured parameter in the room in which the room unit is located. The controller preferably queries the measured value of the at least one parameter measured by the at least one sensor at preset intervals. The controller then transmits the measured value of the at least one parameter to the HVAC system. Preferably, when the measurement is transmitted to the HVAC system, the controller adds a unique identifier to the measurement of the at least one parameter so that the HVAC system can determine from which room unit the measurement was transmitted.
Preferably, the controller saves the measured value of the at least one parameter in the memory. Once the mobile device is connected to the room unit, the controller may preferably transmit the last saved measurement and/or the current measurement of the at least one parameter to the mobile device. Preferably, the controller is configured to save the measured value of the at least one parameter for a preset time interval, for example one or several days. When the mobile device is connected to the room unit, the controller preferably transmits all the saved measured values of the at least one parameter, so that chronological measured values of the at least one parameter can be displayed on the mobile device.
Preferably, the room unit comprises more than one sensor, whereby values of more than one parameter of the ambient air, such as temperature and humidity, can be measured.
Preferably, the controller is configured such that if the measured value of the at least one parameter exceeds or falls below a predetermined value or range, a warning is issued. The warning may be in the form of a status indicator, for example an LED of the room unit being turned on, or an audible warning from a loudspeaker integrated in said room unit.
Preferably, the data comprises at least one parameter of the HVAC system or room unit and/or a command to change at least one parameter of the HVAC system or room unit. Thus, parameters of the HVAC system or room unit may be displayed on the mobile device. Parameters of the HVAC system include, for example, the flow rate or temperature of the airflow supplied to a particular room, or the state of actuators, valves, and cooling or heating units of the HVAC system. The parameter of the room unit preferably comprises a measured or saved value of at least one parameter of the ambient air or a desired value of the ambient air set in the respective room unit. Also, any parameter of the HVAC system or room unit may be changed by a command sent by the mobile device. Preferably, however, the command included in the data relates only to the desired value of the parameter of the ambient air in the room in which the room unit is located. The controller relies on these commands from the mobile device to the HVAC system regarding the desired value, which then determines the operating parameters needed to change the parameters of the ambient air in the particular room to the desired value.
The controller is preferably configured to allow or deny exchange of specific data between the room unit and the mobile device based on access rights stored in the memory of the room unit, and vice versa.
This may increase security because the transmission of commands to change certain parameters and the transmission of certain parameters to the mobile device may be limited to only one or only a selected group of mobile devices.
As access rights, the memory contains a list of which data can be exchanged with which mobile device or group of mobile devices. Preferably, the memory contains several levels of access rights, each level of access rights defining which data can be exchanged between the room unit and the mobile device or group of mobile devices belonging to a particular access rights level. For example, all data may be exchanged between the room unit and the mobile device having administrator access. Instead, for example, a mobile device having only user-level access rights may exchange data only about certain parameters of an HVAC system or room unit, and not any commands to change parameters of the HVAC system or room unit.
If the room unit comprises at least one sensor, the same access rights are preferably also suitable for transmitting the measured value of the at least one parameter to the mobile device. Thus, for example, a mobile device having only user-level access may only receive a measurement of temperature, and not humidity.
Preferably, the controller identifies the mobile device by a unique identifier associated with the particular mobile device, such as an International Mobile Equipment Identification (IMEI) number of the wireless communication module of the mobile device. Thus, the memory includes a list of unique identifiers for the mobile devices and the specific access rights for each mobile device.
Alternatively, the controller preferably queries the mobile device for a token defining the access rights that the particular mobile device has when establishing a connection with the mobile device. Typically, such tokens are stored on the memory of the mobile device by software that interfaces the mobile device with the room unit.
In a preferred embodiment, the controller is configured to query the mobile device for a password or PIN. The memory of the room unit includes information defining the access rights of the mobile device providing a specific password or PIN.
This means that a particular password or PIN defines the access rights granted to the mobile device or to which access rights level the mobile device belongs. For example, a first password or PIN may define administrator rights, while a second password may define user-level access rights. Thus, a first mobile device that provides a first password or PIN upon controller query will be granted administrator rights, while another mobile device that provides a second password will be granted user-level access rights. Of course, if the second mobile device also provides the first password or PIN, then the mobile device will also be granted access to the administrator.
Preferably, a query for a password or PIN is sent to the mobile device only if the mobile device requests certain parameters of the room unit or HVAC system or sends a command to change parameters of the room unit or HVAC system.
The controller is also preferably configured to allow certain data to be exchanged with a mobile device that does not provide any passwords or PINs. This allows some basic data such as the room temperature of the current measurement to be transmitted to any mobile device within range of the short-range wireless communication module.
A query for a password or PIN may be displayed on the mobile device so that a user of the mobile device may enter the password or PIN, for example, by means of a keypad of the mobile device. Furthermore, the software of the mobile device for establishing a short-range wireless communication connection with the room unit may preferably also store the password or PIN after the user enters the password or PIN, so that the software may provide the password or PIN to the controller upon a subsequent inquiry and/or upon establishing a subsequent short-range communication connection with the room unit.
Preferably, the controller is configured such that the access rights stored in the memory of the room unit, in particular at least one password or PIN associated with a specific access right, can be changed by a command included in the data sent from the mobile device to the room unit.
This allows easy configuration of access rights using the mobile device. Preferably, the change of access rights is limited to mobile devices having corresponding access rights, e.g. on mobile devices having administrator level access rights.
Preferably, the command to change the access rights and parameters of the room unit or HVAC system may be sent using only one special software, such as an administrator program or an administrator app application provided by the manufacturer of the room unit and distributed only to the users of the room unit. In this case, the manufacturer of the room unit preferably provides publicly accessible software that can be freely downloaded, for example, from a website or app application store for the general public. Such software preferably has limited functionality that allows only certain parameters of the HVAC system or room unit and a limited set of measurements to be transmitted to the mobile device running the software.
In another preferred embodiment, the command defining or changing the access rights may be sent by publicly accessible software running in administrator mode, for example, after entry of an administrator password.
Preferably, the connection means is a connector for a bus system, preferably a connector for a field bus system. The connector is preferably in the form of a terminal block with spring or screw terminals for conductors of the cable, in particular of the cables of the bus system. As an alternative, the connection device can also be in the form of a socket for a plug of a cable, in particular of a cable of a field bus system. Furthermore, as an alternative, the connector may also be in the form of a terminal post or a welding terminal for a conductor of a cable, in particular for a cable of a field bus system.
Preferably, the room unit comprises a display, preferably an electronic paper display, on which at least a part of the data and/or at least one parameter may be displayed.
Thus, some basic data, such as the temperature measured by at least one sensor, may be displayed on the room unit, while other data, such as the measured humidity or parameters of the HVAC system or the room unit, may be displayed only on the mobile unit.
The display is preferably a dot matrix display or a segment display. It is further preferred that the display is an LCD display, more preferably an electronic paper display.
In case the room unit comprises a display, said display is preferably a touch screen or is covered by a touch sensitive foil. This allows setting specific values such as the desired room temperature on the room unit itself without the need to use the mobile device. The controller is configured to transmit the set point to the HVAC system so that the HVAC system can then subsequently change the operating parameter to change the ambient air in the particular room to reach the set point.
In particular, the display comprises a plurality of sections, wherein preferably each section is designed for displaying predetermined data, parameters and/or input means. The latter may be shown if the display is a touch screen or if the display is covered by a touch sensitive foil.
For example, the actual temperature may be shown in a first section, the set temperature in a second section, and an input device, for example in the form of a button, in a third section.
In particular, the mobile device may be utilized to set data, parameters and/or input means to be displayed on the display. In the case of a display having multiple sections, individual sections may be displayed or hidden. Preferably, which sections are displayed or hidden on the display of the room unit can be configured by the mobile device only if the mobile device has administrator rights. Thus, the different views may be arranged in a highly flexible manner in order to customize the room unit to meet specific environments and/or specific user needs.
The application also relates to a method for exchanging data between a mobile device and an HVAC system or room unit and vice versa. In a first step of the method, a short-range wireless communication connection is established between the mobile device and the room unit according to the above description. In a further step of the method, data is relayed by the controller from the HVAC system to the mobile device and vice versa via the connection means, and short range wireless communication connection or data is transmitted between the room unit and the mobile device and vice versa.
The short-range wireless communication connection is preferably established by bringing the mobile device into close proximity with the room unit. Preferably, the mobile device comprises software, for example in the form of a program or app application, which automatically establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with the room unit. Such software may be provided by the manufacturer of the room unit.
The data exchanged in the method of the present application preferably comprises at least one parameter of the HVAC system or room unit and/or a command to change at least one parameter of the HVAC system or room unit.
Preferably, when the mobile device establishes a short-range communication connection with the room unit, the controller checks whether the exchange of specific data with the mobile device is allowed or denied, said checking being based on the access rights stored in the memory of the room unit.
Preferably, the controller queries the password or PIN from the mobile device and extracts information defining access rights of the mobile device corresponding to the password or PIN provided by the mobile device, the memory of the room unit having stored a table associating different access rights with a specific password or PIN.
Thus, by querying the password or PIN and by extracting the access rights associated with the password or PIN sent back from the mobile device, a particular access right can be easily assigned to any mobile device connected to the room unit. This makes the use and configuration of the room unit very flexible.
Preferably, the controller changes the access rights stored in the memory upon receipt of a corresponding command from the mobile device, preferably a password or PIN or a specific access right associated with a specific password or PIN.
The application also relates to a method for configuring a room unit according to the application and as described above. In a first step of the method, when the room unit is powered off, the configuration parameters are written, preferably by the mobile device, into a non-volatile memory of the short-range wireless communication module, in particular into an EEPROM memory. In a second step of the method, preferably when the room unit is powered up, the controller of the room unit reads the configuration parameters from the non-volatile memory, in particular from the EEPROM memory of the short-range wireless communication module.
When the room unit is powered down, writing of the configuration parameters is performed by means of active-passive communication between the mobile devices, which actively transmit the configuration parameters, and the short-range wireless communication module passively receives the configuration parameters. In this powered off, passive state, the configuration parameters are written into a non-volatile memory of the short range wireless communication module, preferably into an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory) memory. Power is provided for writing configuration parameters to the non-volatile memory by transmission from the mobile device.
This configuration allows for a very convenient, easy and quick configuration of the room unit even before it is installed or connected to the HVAC system.
Preferably, the configuration parameters include information related to access rights, configuration parameters of the room unit or operating parameters of the HVAC system, which may be changed by means of the room unit.
Thus, the configuration allows, for example, setting the room unit as a room sensor or a room operation unit. This does not even require any hardware components to be changed.
The application also relates to a computer program comprising instructions for causing a room unit according to the application and as described above to perform the steps of the method as described above.
Other advantageous embodiments and combinations of features will emerge from the detailed description below and the entire claims.
Drawings
The drawings for explaining embodiments show:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a room unit for an HVAC system according to the present application;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of data transfer mediated by a controller of a room operating unit in accordance with one embodiment of the application;
fig. 3A-3C are different configurations of a display of one embodiment of a room unit according to the application.
In the drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of one embodiment of a room unit 1 for an HVAC system according to the present application. The room unit 1 comprises connection means 2 for connecting the room unit 1 to an HVAC system. In the embodiment shown, the connection device 2 is in the form of a terminal block with a clamping terminal into which the cable 8 is inserted. The cable 8 connects the room unit 1 to the HVAC system and allows data to be transmitted from or to the HVAC system. Furthermore, the cable 8 comprises at least two conductors, which provide power to the room unit 1.
The room unit 1 further comprises a controller 3 and a short-range wireless communication unit 4, e.g. a near field communication unit. When the mobile device 9 is brought into the vicinity of the room unit 1, the short-range wireless communication unit 4 can establish a wireless communication connection with said mobile device 9, the controller 3 can transmit data to the mobile device 9 via the short-range wireless communication connection, and vice versa. Furthermore, the controller 3 may rely on data between the mobile device and the HVAC system and vice versa. The data may include operating parameters of the HVAC system or operating or configuration parameters of the room unit 1, and commands to change the operating parameters of the HVAC system or the operating or configuration parameters of the room unit 1.
In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the room operating unit 1 comprises a sensor 6 which can measure a value such as the ambient temperature in the room in which the room operating unit 1 is located. The controller is configured to send the measured value of the sensor 6 to the HVAC system via the connection means 2 and also to the mobile device 9 if a short-range wireless communication connection is established with the mobile device 9.
The embodiment of the room unit 1 as shown in fig. 1 comprises a display 5, which may indicate parameters of the HVAC system and/or measured values of the sensors 6 received via the connection device 2. Furthermore, the display 5 may be a touch screen display allowing input from a user to generate commands to change operating parameters of the HVAC system, or to change operating or configuration parameters of the room unit 1, for example in a way that changes the ambient temperature to a desired value.
All components of the room operating unit 1 are included in the housing 7 in order to protect them from damage and contamination.
Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of data transfer mediated by the controller 3 of the room operating unit 1 according to one embodiment of the application. The mobile device 9 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection 11 with the room unit 1. The controller 3 of the room unit 1 may query the mobile device 9 for a password or token when establishing the short-range communication connection 11 in order to assign access rights to the mobile device 9.
The measurement of the at least one sensor 6 is transmitted to the HVAC system 10 via a periodic transmission 12. Furthermore, the measured value of the at least one sensor may be transmitted by a request 13 to the mobile device 9, which has established a short-range wireless communication connection 11 with the room unit 1.
The controller 3 of the room unit 1 depends on the HVAC system 10 or the operating parameters 14 of the room unit 1 to the mobile device 9. Furthermore, the controller 3 of the room operating unit 1 changes the operating parameters of the HVAC system from the mobile device 9 to the HVAC system 10 or receives commands from the mobile device 9 to change the parameters of the room unit 1 in dependence of the commands 15. When changing the operating parameters in dependence of the operating parameters 14 or commands 15, the controller 3 of the room operating unit 1 checks whether the operating parameters 14 or commands 15 to the mobile device 9, HVAC system 10 or room unit 1, respectively, can be relied upon according to the access rights stored in the memory of the room unit 1.
The room unit 1 periodically queries the 16 operating parameters of the HVAC system 10 to display the operating parameters on the display 5 of the room unit 1. Furthermore, if the user changes the value on the room unit 1, for example on a touch screen, the controller 3 of the room unit 1 sends an input command 17 to change the operating parameters to the HVAC system.
Fig. 3A-3C show different configurations of the display 5 of one embodiment of the room unit 1 according to the application with different sections 20-26 that can be displayed or hidden by the mobile device 9, whereby fig. 3A shows the display 5 with all sections 20-26 with all display options in said sections 20-26.
Fig. 3B depicts a first example of the configuration of the display 5. In this example, the selected temperature section 20 and the temperature selection section 21 are displayed on the display 5. The temperature selection section 21 is touch sensitive and allows the user to change the selected temperature of the room in which the room unit 1 is located. Further, a ventilation status section 22 and a ventilation selection section 23 are displayed. The ventilation selection section 23 is touch sensitive and allows the user to change the ventilation status of the room in which the room unit 1 is located.
The room parameter section 24 shows measured values of at least one sensor 6 of the room unit 1, such as the current temperature and humidity, while the general status indication section 26 shows general information, such as whether the air conditioning of the room is on or off. In the example shown in fig. 3B, the snowflake symbol shows the air conditioner on and cold air is supplied to the room through the HVAC system to cool the room from the actual measured temperature 24 ℃ indicated on the room parameter section 24 to the selected temperature 23 ℃ shown by the selected temperature section 20.
Furthermore, in an exemplary configuration of the display 5 as shown in fig. 3B, a switching section 25 is shown which can switch the air supply from the HVAC system to the room in which the room unit 1 is located. The switching section 25 is touch sensitive.
Fig. 3C shows a second exemplary configuration of the display 5. In this configuration, the temperatures of the selected temperature section 20 and the room parameter section 24 have been set to F. In contrast to the configuration shown in fig. 3B, the ventilation status indication section 22 and the ventilation selection section 23 are hidden.

Claims (17)

1. A room unit for an HVAC system comprising a connection means and a controller for connecting a device to the HVAC system, characterized in that the room unit comprises a short-range wireless communication module which can communicate wirelessly with a mobile device for exchanging data between the mobile device and the room unit and vice versa.
2. Room unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the short-range wireless communication module is a near field communication module and/or a bluetooth low energy communication module.
3. The room unit of claim 1 or 2 comprising at least one sensor to measure at least one parameter of ambient air, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the at least one parameter to the mobile device and/or the HVAC system.
4. A room unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the data comprises at least one parameter of the HVAC system or room unit and/or a command to change at least one parameter of the HVAC system or room unit.
5. The room unit of any one of claims 1-4 wherein the controller is configured to permit or deny exchange of specific data between the room unit and the mobile device based on access rights stored in a memory of the room unit, and vice versa.
6. The room unit of claim 5 wherein the controller is configured to query a password or PIN from the mobile device, wherein the memory comprises information defining access rights of the mobile device providing the particular password or PIN.
7. Room unit according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the controller is configured to cause the access rights stored in the memory of the room unit, preferably at least one password or PIN associated with a specific access right, to be changeable by a command included in the data sent from the mobile device to the room unit.
8. Room unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the connection means is a connector for a bus system, preferably for a fieldbus system.
9. Room unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the room unit comprises a display, preferably an electronic paper display, on which at least a part of the data and/or the at least one parameter can be displayed.
10. Room unit according to claim 9, characterized in that the display is a touch screen or covered with a touch sensitive foil.
11. A method for exchanging data between a mobile device and an HVAC system or room unit, or vice versa, comprising the steps of:
a) Establishing a short-range wireless communication connection between a mobile device and a room unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10;
b) Data is relayed from the HVAC system to the mobile device and vice versa or transferred between the room unit and the mobile device and vice versa by the controller via the connection means and the short-range wireless communication connection.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the data comprises at least one parameter of an HVAC system or room unit and/or a command to change at least one parameter of an HVAC system or room unit.
13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that when the mobile device has established a short-range communication connection with a room unit, the controller checks whether an exchange of specific data with the mobile device is allowed or denied, said checking being based on the access rights stored in the memory of the room unit.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the controller queries a password or PIN from the mobile device and extracts information defining access rights of the mobile device corresponding to the password or PIN provided by the mobile device, and wherein the memory of the room unit has stored a table associating different access rights with a particular password or PIN.
15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the controller changes the access rights stored in the memory upon receiving a corresponding command from the mobile device, preferably the password or PIN or a specific access right associated with a specific password or PIN.
16. A method for configuring a room unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the steps of:
a) Preferably, the configuration parameters are written by the mobile device into the non-volatile memory of the short-range wireless communication module, in particular into the EEPROM memory, when the room unit is powered off;
b) The configuration parameters are preferably read by the controller from the non-volatile memory of the short-range wireless communication module, in particular from the EEPROM memory, when the room unit is powered up.
17. A computer program comprising instructions to cause a room unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to perform the steps of the method according to claims 11 to 15.
CN202280020929.3A 2021-03-12 2022-03-10 Room unit for HVAC system and method for exchanging data between mobile device and room unit or HVAC system Pending CN116981889A (en)

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JP3794428B1 (en) * 2005-02-25 2006-07-05 ダイキン工業株式会社 Air conditioning control system and air conditioning control device
KR20090041606A (en) * 2007-10-24 2009-04-29 엘지전자 주식회사 Air conditioning system
JP2015121392A (en) * 2013-12-25 2015-07-02 ダイキン工業株式会社 Air conditioning system
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