Remote clear of an HVAC system

The present disclosure is directed to a system for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a control system of the HVAC system, a user device configured to be communicatively coupled to the control system and receive feedback indicative of a lock out event of the HVAC system, where the lock out event is configured to effectuate at least a partial shutdown of the HVAC system, and a dealer device configured to receive authorization from the user device to remotely clear the lock out event of the HVAC system, where the dealer device is configured to remotely clear the lock out event upon receiving the authorization from the user device.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to environmental control systems, and more particularly, to a system for remotely clearing a lock out event of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

Environmental control systems are utilized in residential, commercial, and industrial environments to control environmental properties, such as temperature and humidity, for occupants of the respective environments. The environmental control system may control the environmental properties through control of an airflow delivered to the environment. In some cases, an HVAC system may include various control features that block operation of components of the HVAC system upon detection of irregular operating parameters by sensors of the HVAC system. For instance, irregular temperatures and/or pressures within conduits of the HVAC system may trigger a lock out event, which blocks operation of certain components of the HVAC system, such as a compressor or fan. Typically, a technician or a dealer of the HVAC system must physically visit a residence or building where the HVAC system is installed to clear the lock out event, thereby increasing maintenance costs of the HVAC system for both an owner or user of the HVAC system and the dealer.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a control system of the HVAC system, a user device configured to be communicatively coupled to the control system and receive feedback indicative of a lock out event of the HVAC system, where the lock out event is configured to effectuate at least a partial shutdown of the HVAC system, and a dealer device configured to receive authorization from the user device to remotely clear the lock out event of the HVAC system, where the dealer device is configured to remotely clear the lock out event upon receiving the authorization from the user device.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for remote clearing a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes detecting a lock out event of the HVAC system, enabling a user to provide a dealer with access to remotely clear the lock out event using a user device, displaying a remote clear request to the dealer on a dealer device, and initiating a remote clearing of the lock out event when the dealer accepts the remote clear request.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a control system for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes one or more tangible, non-transitory, machine readable media configured to store instructions executable by a processor, where the instructions are configured to detect a lock out event of the HVAC system, enable a user to provider a dealer with authorization to perform a remote clearing of the lock out event using a user device, display an indicator of remote clear access to the dealer on a dealer device, display an acknowledgement notice to the dealer related to initiation of the on the dealer device, receive acceptance of the acknowledgement notice by the dealer, and initiate a remote clearing of the lock out event upon acceptance of the acknowledgement notice.

Other features and advantages of the present application will be apparent from the following, more detailed description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a remote clearing system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that experience a lock out event. As used herein, a lock out event may refer to a partial or full shutdown of the HVAC system. For instance, the lock out event may include both a soft lock out and a hard lock out. A soft lock out may refer to a partial shutdown of the HVAC system that provides the HVAC system with an opportunity to remedy irregular operation that led to the soft lock out. Additionally, a hard lock out may refer to a partial or full shutdown that typically requires a technician or a dealer of the HVAC system to clear before the HVAC system may continue with normal operation or operation without any components shutdown or operating irregularly. In some embodiments, hard lock outs may occur after the HVAC system experiences multiple soft lock outs over a predetermined period of time. In other embodiments, hard lock outs may occur based on a severity of the operating conditions of the HVAC system when compared to soft lock outs. Further, as used herein a remote clear, or remote clearing, refers to a dealer, technician, or other suitable/authorized person to override the lock out event and enable the HVAC system to continue with normal operation without being present at the physical location of the HVAC system.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a remote clearing system that enables dealers of the HVAC system to clear a lock out, such as a hard lock out or a soft lock out, without being physically present at the location of the HVAC system. For instance, the HVAC system may include a control system that receives feedback from sensors disposed within and configured to monitor operating parameters of the HVAC system. The control system may also be communicatively coupled to a user device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a smart wearable device, a voice-activated computing device, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, another suitable computing device, or a combination thereof. As such, the control system sends an indicator to the user device when a lock out event, such as a hard lock out or a soft lock out, occurs.

A user of the user device may provide access to the dealer to remote clear the lock out event. Upon granting access to the dealer, an indication may be directed to the dealer to enable the dealer to remotely clear the lock out event. In some embodiments, the indication includes information related to the HVAC system and/or the lock out event to enable the dealer to assess a condition of the HVAC system and determine whether a remote clear of the lock out event is appropriate. Additionally, the dealer may be provided with an acknowledgement notice related to the remote clear of the lock out event. As such, the lock out event may be cleared remotely after the dealer confirms acceptance of the acknowledgement notice. In some embodiments, the control system of the HVAC unit is configured to store data related to each lock out event and/or each remote clearing of a lock out event, which may be utilized to assess the condition of the HVAC system during future lock out events.

As set forth above, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a remote clearing system that enables dealers or other authorized personnel of the HVAC unit12and/or the residential heating and cooling system50, which are referred to collectively as an HVAC system100, to clear a lock out event without being physically present at the location of the HVAC system100. For instance,FIG. 5is a schematic of an embodiment of a remote clearing system102, which includes the HVAC system100. As shown in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 5, the HVAC system100may include a control system104that receives feedback from sensors disposed within, and configured to monitor operating parameters of, the HVAC system100. As such, the control system104sends an indicator to a user device106when a lock out event, such as a hard lock out or a soft lock out, occurs. In some embodiments the user device106includes a mobile phone, a tablet, a smart wearable device, a voice-activated computing device, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, another suitable computing device, or a combination thereof. The user device106is communicatively coupled to the control system104of the HVAC system100via a wireless connection, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, radio frequency identification (RFID) transceivers and/or tags, ZigBee, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), another suitable wireless connection, or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the user device106may be coupled to the control system104of the HVAC system100via a wired connection. In any case, the user device106is configured to receive and display an indicator or notification when a lock out event of the HVAC system100occurs.

Accordingly, the user device106may display the indicator to a user notifying the user that the lock out event took place. The user of the user device106may then provide access to a dealer to remote clear the lock out event. In some embodiments, the user of the user device106provides access or authorization for the dealer to remote clear the lock out event through a program, mobile application, or other suitable software installed on the user device106. For example, the user may receive the indicator on the user device106and the program, mobile application, or other suitable software may prompt the user to grant access for the dealer to remote clear the lock out event. In other embodiments, the user may be prompted to grant access to the dealer to perform a remote clear any time a lock out event occurs for the HVAC system100. The user may provide access for a dealer or other authorized user to perform a remote clear any time a lock out event occurs when the user registers or installs the program, mobile application, or other suitable software and/or when the user pairs the user device106with the HVAC system100. In still further embodiments, during installation of the HVAC system100, the control system104may be configured to enable the user to grant access to the dealer to perform a remote clear any time a lock out event of the HVAC system100occurs.

Upon granting access to the dealer, an indication may be directed to a dealer device108of the dealer to enable the dealer to remotely clear the lock out event. As shown in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 5, the remote clearing system102includes a network110that enables communication between the user device106, the dealer device108, and/or the HVAC system100. In some embodiments, the user is configured to grant access to the dealer to remotely clear the lock out event using the user device106. As such, the user device106may communicate with the dealer device108via the network110to provide the indication to the dealer. As discussed above, in other embodiments, the control system104of the HVAC system100is configured to grant access to the dealer to perform a remote clear any time a lock out event occurs. Thus, the HVAC system100may also communicate with the dealer device108over the network110to provide the indication to the dealer.

Similar to the user device106, the dealer device108may include a mobile phone, a tablet, a smart wearable device, a voice-activated computing device, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, another suitable computing device, or a combination thereof. Further, the dealer device108includes a corresponding program, mobile application, electronic mail application, or other suitable software that notifies the dealer that a lock out event has occurred to the HVAC system100and that the user has granted the dealer access to perform a remote clear of the lock out event. As such, the indication received by the dealer may include an electronic mail message, a push notification, a short message service (SMS) message, or another suitable indicator to notify the dealer that the user has granted access for a remote clear of a lock out event.

Additionally or alternatively, the indication includes information related to an operating history of the HVAC system100and/or the lock out event to enable the dealer to assess a condition of the HVAC system100and determine whether a remote clear of the lock out event is appropriate. For example, in some embodiments, the indication may include information related to operating parameters of the HVAC system100that triggered the lock out event. The indication may further include a code associated with a cause or source of the lock out event. Further still, the indication may include a lock out event history or log that enables the dealer to assess a timing of the lock out event in comparison to other lock out events of the HVAC system100. In any case, the indication includes information that the dealer utilizes to assess whether a remote clear of the lock out event is appropriate or whether further maintenance or troubleshooting of the HVAC system100should occur before clearing the lock out event. Should the dealer determine that a remote clear of the lock out event is not appropriate and/or that further maintenance or troubleshooting of the HVAC system100should occur, the dealer may communicate with the user that a technician may be dispatched to the physical location of the HVAC system100. Accordingly, the dealer may send a message, notification, or other indication to the user device106using the dealer device108, where the message, notification, or other indication informs the user that a remote clear of the lock out event will not be performed, and that a technician may be dispatched for further assessment of the HVAC system100.

When the dealer determines that a remote clear is appropriate for the lock out event, the dealer device108may display an acknowledgement notice related to the remote clear of the lock out event. For instance, the acknowledgement notice may be an acceptance of responsibility for performing the remote clear. The dealer receives the indication, which allows the dealer to assess the condition of the HVAC system100and determine whether a remote clear of the lock out event is appropriate based on the received information. Accordingly, the dealer accepts the acknowledgement notice in order to initiate the remote clear. Alternatively, the dealer may decline the acknowledgement notice to negate an opportunity to perform the remote clear of the lock out event.

Remote clearing of the lock out event is initiated after the dealer accepts of the acknowledgement notice. In some embodiments, the control system104of the HVAC system100stores data related to each lock out event and/or each remote clearing of a lock out event, which may be utilized to assess the condition of the HVAC system100during future lock out events. As such, a record of each lock out event, and whether a respective lock out event was remotely cleared, may be stored in the control system104and utilized for assessment of whether a remote clear should be performed for future lock out events of the HVAC system100. Additionally or alternatively, the record of remotely cleared lock out events may be monitored and/or analyzed by a manufacturer of the HVAC system100to determine whether a warranty of a component of the HVAC system100should be covered or honored by the dealer performing remote clearing instead of the manufacturer.

FIG. 6is a flow chart of an embodiment of a process130performed by the remote clearing system102for enabling a dealer to perform a remote clear of a lock out event. For example, at block132, a lock out event of the HVAC system100is detected by the control system104. The control system104then communicates with the user device106to notify the user associated with the user device106that the lock out event has occurred. As such, at block134, the user device106enables the user to grant access for the dealer to remotely clear the lock out event. In some embodiments, the user may be prompted to grant access for remotely clearing a lock out event each time a lock out event occurs. In other embodiments, the user may configure a program, a mobile application, or other software of the user device106and/or the control system104to grant access for remotely clearing any time a lock out event takes place. In still further embodiments, the user may configure the program, the mobile application, or other software of the user device106and/or the control system104to grant access for remotely clearing specific types of lock out events, such as soft lock out events.

At block136, the dealer device108displays an indication notifying the dealer that remote clear access has been granted by the user. As discussed above, the indication may include information related to the HVAC system100and/or the lock out event to enable the dealer to assess a condition of the HVAC system100and determine whether a remote clear of the lock out event is appropriate. When the dealer determines that the remote clear is appropriate, the dealer device108may display the acknowledgment notice to the dealer, as shown at block138. Accordingly, the dealer confirms responsibility for initiating the remote clear before the remote clear is performed. As such, a program, mobile application, or other software of the dealer device108receives acceptance of the acknowledgement notice by the dealer, as shown at block140. The dealer device108may then communicate with the control system104of the HVAC system100via the network110and/or the user device106to initiate the remote clear of the lock out event, as shown at block142. In some embodiments, the dealer device108is configured to communicate directly with the control system104of the HVAC system100through the network110. In other embodiments, the dealer device108communicates with the control system104through the user device108and the network110. Additionally or alternatively, a confirmation of the remote clear of the lock out event may be displayed on the user device106once the remote clear is initiated.

As set forth above, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide one or more technical effects useful in reducing maintenance costs of an HVAC system for owners and/or dealers of HVAC systems. For example, the remote clearing system reduces an amount of service calls that technicians of a dealer make to clear lock out events. Specifically, the dealer may receive access to remotely clear a lock out event from a user. The dealer may then assess a condition of the HVAC system and determine whether a remote clear of the lock out event is appropriate. Upon determination that the remote clear of the lock out event is appropriate, the dealer may initiate the remote clear without being physically present at a location of the HVAC system. As such, costs of the dealer and the user associated with service calls are reduced. The technical effects and technical problems in the specification are examples and are not limiting. It should be noted that the embodiments described in the specification may have other technical effects and can solve other technical problems.