Patent Description:
Fans may incorporate temperature sensors to provide a measure of an ambient condition, such as temperature in a space in which the fan is located, in order to regulate the operation of the fan. Of course, the temperature may be subject to wide variability, and it would be desirable for the fan speed to adjust automatically and accordingly in order to ensure that comfort is maximized over a range of conditions. However, merely adjusting the fan speed based on sensed temperature or other conditions does not account for the fact that the user's preferences for a particular fan speed based on the temperature are not taken into account during the operation. For example, a fan speed that one user finds comfortable at one temperature may not be comfortable for that same user when regulated in a lock-step fashion to a different temperature, or for a different user.

<CIT>) discloses [ABSTRACT]: "A control unit for a combined ceiling fan and light fixture (ceiling unit) is coupled to a temperature sensor monitoring the temperature of the room containing the ceiling unit, has manual entry keys for controlling fan energization, speed and direction and light energization and intensity and for selecting a mode of operation, and has a first microprocessor for controlling a radio transmitter to transmit a command bit sequence. The transmitted signal is received by the ceiling unit where a second microprocessor responds to the command bit sequence to control the firing of one of several triacs controlling fan energization, speed and direction and to control light energization and intensity. In an "auto-speed" mode, fan speed responds to changes in room temperature. In a "winter mode", the fan blows upwardly at a slow speed, the speed being momentarily increased periodically to break up stratification. Two control units at different locations in the room may be used to control the ceiling unit, which responds only to the control unit which last transmitted a manual command in response to key activation. An update is transmitted hourly, if all fan and light functions are off, or every ten minutes, if a function is on, the update timer being reset whenever a new command is transmitted.

<CIT>) discloses [ABSTRACT]: "An electric fan includes a fan unit, a temperature detector for generating a temperature output that varies in accordance with the ambient temperature, and a processor unit operable so as to control the fan unit to rotate at a selected one of preset speed settings, and further operable in an intelligent mode, wherein the processor unit determines a current selected one of the preset speed settings of the fan unit and receives the temperature output of the temperature detector so as to obtain a reference ambient temperature, and wherein the processor unit controls the fan unit to operate at a higher preset speed setting upon detection of a predetermined increase in the current ambient temperature, and at a lower preset speed setting upon detection of a predetermined decrease in the current ambient temperature.

<CIT>) discloses [ABSTRACT]: "An apparatus and method for thermostatically controlling the operation of a multiple speed fan and light assembly by inputting a desired temperature range and airflow direction for each fan speed and by inputting a single number for controlling the on time and duration of the light assembly. A temperature sensor determines an initial room temperature, an input device enters a temperature set-point corresponding to each of the fan speeds, a processor stores the temperature set-points corresponding to each of the fan speeds from the input device, receives the temperature signal and uses the temperature signal and the temperature set-points to determine a desired fan speed, and a fan driving device changes the initial rotation speed to the desired fan speed in response to the processor and thereby automatically controls the fan speed.

Accordingly, a need is identified for a solution that may address any or all of the foregoing limitations, as well as others that have yet to be identified.

Any embodiments, aspects or examples of the present description/disclosure that do not fall within the scope of said claims are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not form part of the present invention.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a fan includes a learning mode of operation. The learning mode allows a user to input a desired parameter of operation for the fan, such as speed, for a given environmental condition (such as, for example, temperature), and adjustments for changed conditions may be automatically determined based on the user input. A subsequent selection of a fan parameter at that condition (such as, for example, for a different user) or a different condition setting may also be obtained, either during initialization or later, and then used as an updated measure of the desired fan parameter for the condition. Related methods of controlling the operation of a fan are also disclosed.

According to the invention, a fan speed regulatory apparatus comprises a fan and a controller configured to obtain and learn a first user selected fan speed for a first ambient condition, and for controlling the fan to operate substantially at the first user selected fan speed at the first ambient condition, the controller is further configured for controlling the fan to operate in a first mode of operation, wherein in the first mode of operation the controller controls the fan to operate substantially at a first determined speed at a second ambient condition, wherein the second ambient condition is an increase or decrease to the first ambient condition and wherein the first determined speed is determined using a pre-programmed range of values based on the first user selected fan speed and the increase or decrease from the first ambient condition to the second ambient condition, the controller is further configured to obtain and learn a second user selected fan speed for a third ambient condition, wherein the third ambient condition may be the same or different as the second ambient condition and the second user selected fan speed is different to the first determined fan speed determined under the first mode of operation for the third ambient condition and wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured for:.

The controller may be configured to operate the fan at a plurality of different speeds, each substantially corresponding to a different ambient condition.

The controller may provide a plurality of fan speeds at a plurality of ambient conditions based on the first user selected fan speed. The ambient condition may comprise temperature, humidity, or both temperature and humidity. The controller may be configured to automatically activate and deactivate the fan at a particular ambient condition.

The fan may be positioned in a room for causing air movement in the room, and the ambient condition is a temperature sensed within the room. A sensor may be provided for sensing the ambient condition, including at a location remote from the fan (e.g., on a wall, floor, or other location in a room). A remote controller adapted for communicating wirelessly with the fan may provide user input to the controller for controlling the fan.

The ambient condition may comprise temperature, humidity, or both temperature and humidity. The controller may be configured to automatically activate and deactivate the fan at a particular sensed ambient condition. The fan may be positioned in a room for causing air movement in the room, and the ambient condition is a temperature sensed within the room. A sensor may be remote from the fan, and a remote controller adapted for communicating wirelessly with the fan may be used to provide a user input to the controller.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which schematically illustrates one possible embodiment of a fan <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The fan <NUM> may comprise any type of fan, such as for example an overhead ceiling fan including a plurality of blades actuated by an associated motor.

The fan <NUM> includes at least one sensor <NUM> to detect an ambient condition, either at the fan location or at a location remote from the fan itself (i.e., not at the precise location where the fan is positioned or within part of the fan itself <NUM>). For example, the sensor <NUM> may comprise a temperature sensor, which may be part of the fan <NUM>, and may include a sensor for sensing the remote temperature (e.g., a PIR sensor arrangement; see International Patent Application Ser. No. <CIT>).

The sensed temperature may be used by a controller <NUM> to control the fan <NUM>, such as by activating it, deactivating it, reversing its direction, or otherwise regulating its speed of operation.

In one embodiment, a user input <NUM> is provided for allowing a user to input a fan speed during a learning mode of operation (as contrasted with an automatic mode where the fan speed may be regulated independent of any user input in relation to desired speed). The input <NUM> may comprise a wired or wireless remote control. As one example, the input <NUM> may be provided by way of a remote control in the form of a user-specific input device, such as a "smart" phone, computer, or the like, running associated software for communicating the desired value to the fan controller <NUM> in recognizable form.

In this learning mode, the user inputted speed (e.g., speed A in <FIG>) is recorded in a memory <NUM> and stored, along with a sensed temperature (e.g., <NUM>,<NUM> degrees Celsius or <NUM> degrees Fahrenheit) associated with the user input. This recording may be done during an initialization of the fan <NUM> once installed, or later when a learning mode of operation is selected by the user via the input <NUM>.

Based on the user selected speed for a given temperature, the controller <NUM> may regulate the operation of the fan <NUM> based on an increase or decrease in temperature from the initial value. For example, if the temperature increases or decreases, the fan <NUM> may be controlled accordingly (note point B for an increased temperature of <NUM>,<NUM> degrees Celsius or <NUM> degrees Fahrenheit and a corresponding speed increase).

This adjustment may be done in accordance with a pre-programmed range of values, as represented by line <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The pre-programmed values may be based on ASHRAE <NUM> standards stored in the memory <NUM> in any form (tables, formulae, etc.), or any other stored values obtained using previously obtained data, including possibly empirical data for a particular fan or environment. For the sake of simplicity, these values are shown in <FIG> as being arranged in a linear fashion, but may be non-linear as well depending on the approach taken. The fan speed values are also shown as being integers correlating to pre-set speeds (e.g., speed <NUM> is <NUM> revolutions per minute, speed <NUM> is <NUM> revolutions per minute, etc.), but this is for purposes of illustration only and the speed could be infinitely adjustable within a given range, depending on the sensitivity of the fan motor used.

Later in time, a user (which could be a different user than the one making the initial setting) may adjust the fan speed to a changed speed (e.g., point C), such as by using the input <NUM>. When this later selection is made, the controller <NUM> associates the changed speed (e.g., point C) with a sensed condition, such as temperature (e.g., <NUM>,<NUM> degrees Celsius or <NUM> degrees Fahrenheit). Based on the changed speed and the known operating condition, the controller <NUM> may determine that a user has a particular preference different from the pre-programmed value. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may adjust the speed value for the corresponding condition so that a new mode of operation is created, as indicated by the dashed line <NUM> in <FIG>.

Likewise, if an adjustment is made by a user later in time that is different from the adjustment previously made, the controller <NUM> may react accordingly. For instance, if a different speed is selected for a sensed temperature (point D for <NUM>,<NUM> degrees Celsius or <NUM> degrees Fahrenheit), then the values may be adjusted (in this case, to correspond to the original values represented by line <NUM>). However, as should be appreciated, it could also be the case that a new set of values is used for a speed selection that is different from one previously used for a given temperature.

As can further be appreciated, the adjustment or adjustments may be made by a particular user or a different user of the fan <NUM>. In the case of a different user later making the adjustment, followed by the earlier user returning and making a different adjustment, the fan <NUM> via controller <NUM> would again learn the difference and make a corresponding adjustment. In this way, the regulation of the fan speed in relation to temperature may be continuously adjusted and updated based on user-specific preferences during the learning mode of operation.

During initialization, it is also possible to instruct the user to set a desired speed for a given temperature, and then a different speed based on a different temperature (e.g., value A in <FIG>). For instance, the user may be prompted to adjust the temperature of the space in which the fan is located, and then adjust the fan speed to the desired level based on the adjusted temperature (e.g., value D in <FIG>). The controller <NUM> may then interpolate using the inputted data for provide a range of speeds based on temperature values (e.g., line <NUM> and value B for <NUM>,<NUM> degrees Celsius or <NUM> degrees Fahrenheit),
which may then be subjected to being altered through future adjustments to the fan speed based on a sensed temperature for as long as the learning mode operation is selected. Instead of during initialization, this second value may also be obtained by simply prompting the user about a desired speed during operation at a later time when the sensed temperature is different from the temperature sensed at the time at which the initial speed value was identified by the user.

A further embodiment is provided by way of <FIG>. In this embodiment, the user selects an initial set point of speed for a given condition, such as ambient temperature (e.g., point A in <FIG>). The fan <NUM> may then operate according to the above embodiment with speed being regulated based on sensed changes in the condition. When a user-selected second speed is inputted, the initial condition is not changed, but rather the user selection at the new condition is simply noted (e.g., point B in <FIG>). A calculation (e.g., interpolation) may then be made in order to determine additional values of speed based on the condition(s). As further adjustments are made (e.g., points C and D), the calculation may be likewise adjusted.

While the use of temperature exclusively is described above, it should be appreciated that the same approach could be taken using a different ambient condition, such as humidity. Thus, the speed of the fan could be regulated based on a humidity sensed by a humidity sensor. Of course, it is also possible to regulate the speed based on both temperature and humidity. Indeed, the regulation may be based on a heat index, as determined by the following formula:<MAT> where:.

Accordingly, a user's initial or later adjustment of the fan speed may be associated with a particular heat index calculated based on a temperature and humidity measurement.

The conditions in terms of fan speed based on the sensed condition should also be understood to be inexact, such that a temperature being substantially similar to a particular value may be used to regulate the fan at substantially a particular speed, but not necessarily the exact speed. Variations of <NUM>% or more can be expected based on variables such as friction, power, wear, or the like, and will depend on the precise operating conditions encountered in a given situation.

Claim 1:
A fan speed regulatory apparatus, comprising:
a fan (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to obtain and learn a first user selected fan speed (A) for a first ambient condition, and for controlling the fan to operate substantially at the first user selected fan speed at the first ambient condition, the controller is further configured for controlling the fan to operate in a first mode of operation (<NUM>), wherein in the first mode of operation the controller controls the fan to operate substantially at a first determined speed (B) at a second ambient condition, wherein the second ambient condition is an increase or decrease to the first ambient condition and wherein the first determined speed is determined using a pre-programmed range of values based on the first user selected fan speed and the increase or decrease from the first ambient condition to the second ambient condition,
the controller is further configured to obtain and learn a second user selected fan speed (C) for a third ambient condition, wherein the third ambient condition may be the same or different as the second ambient condition and the second user selected fan speed is different to the first determined fan speed determined under the first mode of operation for the third ambient condition, and wherein the controller is configured for:
(a) controlling the fan to operate substantially at the second user selected fan speed at the third ambient condition,
(b) using the second user selected fan speed at the third ambient condition to create a second mode of operation (<NUM>), wherein, in the second mode of operation, the controller controls the fan to operate substantially at a second determined speed at a fourth ambient condition, wherein the fourth ambient condition is an increase or decrease to the third ambient condition and wherein the second determined speed is determined different from the pre-programmed range of values and now based on the second user selected fan speed and the increase or decrease from the third ambient condition to the fourth ambient condition, and
(c) controlling the fan to operate in the second mode of operation instead of in the first mode of operation; and the controller is further configured to repeat the above steps based on yet a further user selected fan speed (D) for a further ambient condition, in this way, the controlling of the fan speed in relation to the ambient condition is continuously adjusted and updated based on user-specific preferences.