DE102013105986B4 - Thermostat with display module - Google Patents

Abstract

A thermostat (1) for controlling a temperature in response to an output from a temperature measuring device, the thermostat comprising: (i) the temperature measuring device, and (ii) a display module (9) for providing a display, the display module a display screen (19) through which the display can be viewed, and wherein the thermostat is arranged so that the output from the temperature measuring device depends on the temperature of the display screen, and the temperature measuring device is arranged to Measure temperature of a component thermally coupled to the display screen.

Description

technical field

The present invention relates to thermostats, and more particularly to thermostats for controlling air temperature.

Background of the Invention

It is desirable for a thermostat to be able to accurately measure the ambient temperature (e.g. of a room in a building) and to be able to quickly measure changes in that temperature.

In some known thermostat designs, a device for measuring a temperature is located within the housing of the thermostat. The temperature measuring device is exposed to the surrounding environment through the provision of ventilation slots in the housing of the thermostat. However, such an arrangement can exhibit relatively poor accuracy and/or poor response, since the heat dissipated by internal electronic elements in the thermostat falsifies the measurement and/or the temperature measuring device is too far from the slots (allowing a poor slew rate is present). Furthermore, the provision of slots is disadvantageous as it tends to reduce the dust/humidity performance of the thermostat (IPx performance).

Lead containing temperature sensing components placed close to the slots have been proposed. However, these require an accurate, manual manufacturing process, which tends to be undesirable.

The DE 10 2004 012 620 A1 refers to a radiator thermostatic valve with a decoupled thermometer.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention serves to reduce or mitigate at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages.

• (i) die Vorrichtung zur Temperaturmessung, und
• (ii) ein Anzeigemodul zur Bereitstellung von einer Anzeige,

wobei das Anzeigemodul einen Anzeigeschirm umfasst, durch welchen hindurch die Anzeige betrachtet werden kann, und wobei der Thermostat dazu ausgelegt ist, dass die Ausgabe von der Vorrichtung zur Temperaturmessung von der Temperatur des Anzeigeschirms abhängt, und wobei die Vorrichtung zur Temperaturmessung dazu ausgelegt ist, die Temperatur eines Bauteils zu messen, welches thermisch mit dem Anzeigeschirm gekoppelt ist. Die Erfindung würdigt, dass die Temperatur des Anzeigeschirms dazu verwendet werden kann, eine relativ genaue Anzeige der Umgebungstemperatur bereitzustellen, wodurch einige der zuvor erwähnten Nachteile aus dem Stand der Technik abgeschwächt werden.According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a thermostat for controlling a temperature in response to an output from a temperature measuring device, the thermostat comprising:

• (i) the device for measuring temperature, and
• (ii) a display module for providing a display,

wherein the display module includes a display screen through which the display can be viewed, and wherein the thermostat is configured so that the output from the temperature measuring device depends on the temperature of the display screen, and wherein the temperature measuring device is configured to Measure temperature of a component thermally coupled to the display screen. The invention recognizes that the temperature of the display screen can be used to provide a relatively accurate indication of ambient temperature, thereby alleviating some of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

The display module preferably includes an electronic display. The electronic display is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD). In principle, the display provided by the display module can reproduce any type of data or information. The display may show operational information of the thermostat (e.g., temperature, set temperature, operational mode, etc.).

The display screen is preferably a transparent screen. The transparent screen is preferably directly adjacent to the display (e.g. adjacent to the display of the LCD). The display screen can be a portion of an LCD. The thermostat may include a variety of display screens through which the display is viewable (e.g., a glass screen portion of the LCD and a transparent plastic cover screen that provides further protection). It is within the scope of the invention to only measure the temperature of one of these screens through which the display is visible. The thermostat is preferably designed to measure the temperature of the screen of an LCD.

The temperature measuring device can measure the temperature of the display screen directly. For example, the temperature measurement device can be attached directly to the display screen (e.g. using a thermally conductive adhesive). The temperature measurement device is configured to measure the temperature of a component that is thermally coupled to the display screen and thereby generate an output that depends on the temperature of the display screen. Such an arrangement may allow for easier manufacture of the thermostat and/or easier positioning of the temperature measuring device since it does not require the temperature measuring device to be in the same position as the display screen. The display mo The module can comprise a plurality of layers and the component can be one of these layers. More precisely, the component can be an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor can connect a processing unit to the temperature measurement device. For example, the device for measuring temperature may be a thermistor, the output of which (e.g. the amount of current passing through it) is transmitted along the electrical conductor to the processing unit in the body of the thermostat.

The thermal coupling can be created in different ways: the component can come into contact with the display screen. Alternatively, the thermostat may comprise one or more further components, wherein the further component or components are thermally coupled to the display screen and thermally coupled to the first component (i.e. the component that the temperature measuring device is designed to measure the temperature of). . At least one of the further components is preferably designed to come into contact with the display screen.

The further component or the further components can be a further electrical conductor. The further electrical conductor can connect the processing unit to the display module. The further electrical conductor may be thermally coupled to the display screen and the electrical conductor connecting the processing unit to the temperature measurement device may be thermally coupled to the further electrical conductor.

The electrical conductor(s) may be flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs), which include electrically conductive traces on a flexible substrate. Such conductors may be particularly well suited to establishing thermal coupling since the conductive traces tend to be good thermal conductors. FPCs can also be easily placed in close proximity to each other or other components due to their flexible nature, and are therefore able to present a relatively large surface area over which thermal coupling can be formed. The temperature measuring device can be configured to measure the temperature of the electrically conductive trace on the electrical conductor which connects a processing unit to the temperature measuring device.

It has been found that embodiments which make use of existing components in the thermostat (e.g. an electrical conductor or conductors) and exploit the thermal conductivity of these components by obtaining a measurement of the temperature from the display screen are particularly advantageous since they tend to be relatively easy to manufacture and/or design. These embodiments may allow the temperature measurement device to be positioned in a substantially sealed enclosure in which it would otherwise be impossible to measure the ambient air temperature.

The display module can be movably attached to the thermostat. For example, the display module can be suspended from the thermostat housing. An FPC tends to be particularly helpful in such an embodiment because it allows for such pivoting while maintaining electrical connection to the display module (and thermal connection to the display screen).

The thermostat is preferably designed to regulate the air temperature of the surrounding environment. For example, the thermostat may be a surface mount thermostat for a central heating system. The thermostat may be a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV).

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of measuring a temperature for input to a thermostat, the method comprising the step of: measuring the temperature of a component of a display screen on the thermostat. The method may include the step of controlling the temperature in response to the measured temperature. The temperature of the display screen is measured indirectly by measuring the temperature of a component that is thermally coupled to the display screen, thereby obtaining a signal that depends on the temperature of the display screen.

• (i) die Vorrichtung zur Temperaturmessung, und
• (ii) ein Anzeigemodul zum Bereitstellen einer Anzeige, wobei der Thermostat dazu ausgelegt ist, dass die Ausgabe von der Vorrichtung zur Temperaturmessung von der Temperatur von zumindest einem Abschnitt des Anzeigemoduls abhängt, und die Temperatur eines Bauteils zu messen, welches thermisch mit dem Anzeigemodul gekoppelt ist. Das Anzeigemodul kann eine elektronische Anzeige umfassen, beispielsweise eine LCD. Die Vorrichtung zur Temperaturmessung kann zum Messen der Temperatur von der elektronischen Anzeige, beispielsweise die LCD, ausgelegt sein. Der Thermostat kann eine Verarbeitungseinheit und einen elektrischen Leiter, welcher die Verarbeitungseinheit mit dem Anzeigemodul verbindet, umfassen. Der elektrische Leiter kann physisch und thermisch mit dem Anzeigemodul gekoppelt sein. Die Vorrichtung zur Temperaturmessung kann dazu ausgelegt sein, die Temperatur des elektrischen Leiters zu messen.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a thermostat for controlling a temperature in response to an output from a temperature measuring device, the thermostat comprising:

• (i) the device for measuring temperature, and
• (ii) a display module for providing a display, wherein the thermostat is configured to cause the output from the temperature measurement device to depend on the temperature of at least a portion of the display module, and to measure the temperature of a component thermally coupled to the display module is. The display module may include an electronic display, such as an LCD. The temperature measuring device can be used to measure the tempe ture of the electronic display, such as the LCD, be designed. The thermostat may include a processing unit and an electrical conductor connecting the processing unit to the display module. The electrical conductor can be physically and thermally coupled to the display module. The temperature measurement device can be designed to measure the temperature of the electrical conductor.

• (i) die Vorrichtung zur Temperaturmessung,
• (ii) ein Anzeigemodul zum Bereitstellen von einer Anzeige,
• (iii) eine Verarbeitungseinheit, und
• (iv) einen elektrischen Leiter, welcher die Verarbeitungseinheit mit dem Anzeigemodul verbindet, wobei die Vorrichtung zur Temperaturmessung dazu ausgelegt ist, die Temperatur des elektrischen Leiters zu messen. Der elektrische Leiter kann physisch oder thermisch mit dem Anzeigemodul gekoppelt sein (beispielsweise kann er mit dem Anzeigemodul in Kontakt stehen). Der elektrische Leiter kann die Verarbeitungseinheit (beispielsweise eine PCB) mit der Vorrichtung zur Temperaturmessung verbinden.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a thermostat for controlling a temperature in response to an output from a temperature measuring device, the thermostat comprising:

• (i) the device for measuring temperature,
• (ii) a display module for providing a display,
• (iii) a processing unit, and
• (iv) an electrical conductor connecting the processing unit to the display module, the temperature measurement device being adapted to measure the temperature of the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor may be physically or thermally coupled to the display module (e.g., may be in contact with the display module). The electrical conductor can connect the processing unit (e.g. a PCB) to the device for temperature measurement.

Any features described with reference to one aspect of the invention are equally applicable to other aspects of the invention and vice versa. For example, features of the thermostat according to the first aspect of the invention are equally applicable to the method according to the second aspect of the invention or to the thermostats according to other aspects of the invention described above.

character list

• 1 eine Perspektivansicht von einem TRV gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist;
• 2 eine Draufsicht von der Vorderseite des Anzeigemoduls in dem TRV in 1 ist;
• 3a eine Seitenansicht des Anzeigemoduls in 2 ist;
• 3b eine Seiten-Schnittansicht des Anzeigemoduls in 2 durch eine Linie A-A von 2 ist; und
• 4 eine Ansicht der Rückseite des Anzeigemoduls ist.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing, in which:

• 1 Figure 13 is a perspective view of a TRV according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• 2 FIG. 12 is a front plan view of the display module in the TRV in FIG 1 is;
• 3a a side view of the display module in FIG 2 is;
• 3b a side sectional view of the display module in FIG 2 by a line AA from 2 is; and
• 4 Figure 12 is a rear view of the display module.

Precise description

1 Figure 1 shows a thermostat in the form of a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) 1. The TRV 1 includes a housing 3 to which a temperature control wheel 5 is attached. The TRV 1 regulates the temperature of a radiator 7 to which it is connected and thus regulates the ambient air temperature (depending on the local temperature and the desired temperature set by the control wheel 5).

The TRV includes a display module 9 for providing a display that displays various data related to the TRV 1 . In 1 For example, the display module provides a display of local temperature, TRV on/off time periods, and operating mode ("ECO"). The operation of the TRV 1 can be changed by the user pressing the operation buttons 11 and changes in operation can be reflected in the display.

The display module 9 is hung on the front of the TRV 1, and is in 1 displayed in a deployed position. If necessary, the module 9 can be stowed in the recess 13 and then closes flush with the surrounding housing 3 .

The display module is generally rectangular and has a peripheral housing 15 surrounding an aperture in which the display is exposed. A plastic cover (not shown) is positioned in the aperture and held in place by projecting pins which extend into recesses in the peripheral housing 15 .

The components of the display module 7 are shown more clearly in 2 , 3a , and 3b shown, to which reference is now made. Both 2 , 3a , and 3b 1, peripheral housing 15 is removed for clarity. The display module 9 contains an LCD 17, which is made up of several layered sub-components. The LCD includes on its front the transparent glass display screen 19 through which the display from the LCD is viewable. A thin plastic 21 layer is also provided to protect the glass 19. An LCD driver 23 is attached to the back of the glass display screen 19 to drive the LCD. The LCD operation unit is shielded by the peripheral housing 15 in use. The The structure of the LCD is known per se and will not be described in further detail here.

In the first embodiment of the invention, the TRV 1 contains two electrical conductors in the form of FPCs, in particular flat cables (flexible printed circuits FPCs). The FPCs 25, 29 comprise a series of conductive traces 24 printed on a flexible substrate 26 (only in 2 displayed at one end of the FPCs).

A first FPC 25 is anchored to a layer toward the back of the display module. An NTC thermistor 27 (only in 4 indicated) is attached to the conductive traces at this end of the first FPC 25, and the other end of the FPC 25 is connected to a PCB (not shown) in the housing 3 of the TRV 1. A second FPC 29 has one end connected to the glass display screen 21 and this end connected to the LCD driving unit 23 . The other end of the second FPC 29 also extends to the PCB inside the TRV housing, connecting the LCD to the PCB. After a short distance, after the first and second FPC 25, 29 have extended away from the display module 9, they are in contact with each other across their widths (in 3a and 3b shown as a single line) and are pinned together.

According to known TRVs, the PCB in the TRV housing 3 is designed to process signals and drive the LCD. The PCB is also designed to regulate the thermostat (i.e. regulate the temperature by opening/closing the radiator valve) in response to changes in the temperature of the surrounding environment. In the first embodiment of the invention, this temperature measurement is based on the output from the thermistor 27 and will be described in more detail below.

Unlike known thermostats, the thermistor 27 in the TRV of the first embodiment of the invention is positioned such that its output depends on the temperature of the display screen 19. In the first embodiment of the invention, this is achieved by thermally coupling the first FPC 25 (to which the thermistor 27 is attached) to the second FPC 29, which is itself in physical and thermal contact with the glass display screen 19. 4 Figure 12 shows a rear view of the display module 9, with the rear of the housing 15 attached, showing more clearly the two FPCs 25, 29 and their mutual contact area. The rear of the thermistor 27 is also visible through a small opening in the rear of the housing 15.

Because the FPCs have a relatively high surface area of conductive traces 24, they have been recognized as effective thermal conductors. The temperature of the second FPC 29 is substantially the same as the temperature of the glass panel 19 since it is in contact with it. Because the second FPC 29 contacts the first FPC 25 along a substantial portion of its width to create a relatively large thermal contact area for good thermal coupling, the temperature of the first FPC 25 is substantially the same as the temperature of the second FPC 29 coincides, and therefore substantially coincides with the temperature of the glass panel 19. The output from the thermistor 27 is therefore dependent on the temperature of the display screen 19.

This first embodiment of the invention has been found to provide a better indication of the ambient temperature than some known thermostats which, for example, may have the thermistor in the main body and rely on the air regularly circulating in the thermostat body.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many different variations are inherent in the invention itself which are not specifically illustrated herein. For example, in another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the thermistor is attached directly to the glass screen, requiring no indirect thermal coupling. In an embodiment according to a second aspect (not shown), the thermistor is instead located on the reflective backing of the LCD, and is adapted to measure the temperature of this layer. In an embodiment according to a third aspect (not shown), the thermistor is configured to measure the temperature of an FPC exposed to the outside environment.

To the extent that the foregoing description mentions integers or elements that have known, obvious, or foreseeable equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as individually continued. Reference should be made to the claims to determine the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed to include any such equivalents. It is also recognized by the reader that integers or features of the invention described as preferred, advantageous, useful or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims.

Claims (14)

A thermostat (1) for controlling a temperature in response to an output from a temperature measuring device, the thermostat comprising: (i) the device for measuring temperature, and (ii) a display module (9) for providing a display, said display module comprising a display screen (19) through which said display can be viewed, and said thermostat being adapted for the output from said temperature measuring device of depends on the temperature of the display screen, and wherein the device for measuring temperature is configured to measure the temperature of a component that is thermally coupled to the display screen. Thermostat (1) after claim 1 , wherein the display module comprises an electronic display. Thermostat (1) after claim 2 , wherein the display module is a liquid crystal display (LCD). Thermostat (1) after claim 3 wherein the display screen is a transparent screen of the LCD through which the display can be viewed. A thermostat (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the thermostat comprises a further component, the further component being adapted to contact the display screen and the first component being thermally coupled to the further component. A thermostat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first component is an electrical conductor which connects a processing unit to the temperature measuring device. Thermostat (1) after claim 6 , if dependent on claim 6 , wherein the further component is an electrical conductor which connects the processing unit and the display module. Thermostat (1) after claim 7 wherein the electrical conductors are flat cables (FPCs) comprising electrically conductive traces on a flexible substrate. Thermostat (1) after claim 8 wherein the temperature measuring device is adapted to measure the temperature of an electrically conductive trace on the electrical conductor connecting a processing unit to the temperature measuring device. A thermostat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermostat is adapted to control the air temperature of the surrounding environment. A thermostat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermostat is a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV). A method of measuring a temperature for input to a thermostat (1) having a display, the method comprising the step of: measuring the temperature of a component of a display screen (19) on the thermostat which is thermally coupled to the display screen, wherein by the display can be viewed through the display screen. A thermostat (1) for controlling a temperature in response to an output from a temperature measuring device, the thermostat comprising: (i) the device for measuring temperature, and (ii) a display module (9) for providing a display, wherein the thermostat is adapted such that the output from the device for measuring temperature depends on the temperature of at least a portion of the display module, and measuring the temperature of a component which is thermally coupled to the display module. A thermostat (1) for controlling a temperature in response to an output from a temperature measuring device, the thermostat comprising: (i) the device for measuring temperature, (ii) a display module (9) for providing a display, (iii) a processing unit, and (iv) an electrical conductor (25, 29) connecting the processing unit to the display module, the temperature measuring device being adapted to measure the temperature of the electrical conductor.

Images